Best Challenging Combat

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate introduced significant changes to the series' gameplay, most notably the addition of vertical hunting, allowing players to climb walls and attack monsters from new angles. Th...

Shovel Knight is a critically acclaimed 8-bit platformer that pays homage to classic NES titles. Players control Shovel Knight as he battles the evil Shovel Knight Order. The games tight controls, cha...

Code Vein distinguishes itself with its anime-inspired aesthetic and companion system. Players navigate a post-apocalyptic world, battling enemies and uncovering a compelling narrative. The class syst...

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is a charming pixel-art Metroidvania with a dark fantasy setting. Players control Kimi, a priestess tasked with saving her people. The game features challenging c...

Ashen is a unique Souls-like game with a distinctive stylized art style and a focus on cooperative gameplay. Players explore a vast and mysterious world, battling enemies and uncovering a minimalist n...

Shin Megami Tensei V delivers a dark and challenging JRPG experience set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. The games demon fusion system allows players to create powerful allies, while the press-turn syste...

Remnant: From the Ashes, a third-person shooter with Souls-like elements and a strong co-op focus, is playable on the Steam Deck through Proton. The games challenging combat and procedurally generated...

Nioh, the predecessor to Nioh 2, established the series' signature blend of samurai action and soulslike difficulty. Set in a fantastical version of feudal Japan, players battle yokai and historical f...

Axiom Verge 2 continues the story of the original, introducing a new protagonist and expanding on the glitch mechanics. Players explore a vast and mysterious world, battling creatures and uncovering s...

Exiled Kingdoms is a top-down action RPG that draws inspiration from classic dungeon crawlers and the Souls-like genre. Players explore a vast and dangerous world, battling monsters and uncovering sec...

Moonscars, a 2D action RPG with a dark fantasy setting and challenging combat, is playable on the Steam Deck via Proton. The games unique art style and intricate level design create a memorable atmosp...

Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer steeped in dark fantasy and religious iconography. The mobile version brings its punishing combat and meticulously crafted world to mobile devices. The game's...

Hellpoint is a sci-fi horror Souls-like game with procedural generation, ensuring a unique experience each playthrough. The game features challenging combat, a dark and atmospheric world, and a cooper...

Dolmen is a sci-fi horror Souls-like game that introduces an energy system to manage your abilities. The game features challenging combat, a dark and atmospheric world, and a unique blend of sci-fi an...

Darkness Rises is a mobile action RPG that attempts to capture the essence of the Souls-like genre, but with gacha elements. Players collect and upgrade heroes to battle challenging enemies. The comba...

Astral Crown is an isometric action RPG with 'Souls-like' combat, featuring challenging boss fights and a focus on character progression. Players explore a dark fantasy world, battling enemies and unc...

Steel Rising is a Soulslike set during an alternate French Revolution, featuring clockwork automatons as enemies. The game emphasizes parrying and precise timing. While the setting is unique, the game...

The Surge is a sci-fi Souls-like game with a unique dismemberment system, allowing players to target specific body parts for loot and upgrades. Set in a dystopian industrial environment, the game feat...

Soulstice is a unique action-adventure game with Souls-like elements, featuring a dual-character control mechanic. Players switch between two characters with distinct abilities to solve puzzles and ov...

Lords of the Fallen attempted to capitalize on the popularity of Dark Souls, offering a similar challenging combat and dark fantasy setting. Its unique dual-character system, where players control bot...

Monster Hunter Double Cross, a remake of Monster Hunter Cross, brought the Hunting Arts and Styles system to the 3DS. It features an extensive roster of monsters and challenging combat, but the 3DS's...

The Enhanced Edition of Mortal Shell brings improved visuals and performance to the already unique Souls-like experience. Featuring the 'Shell' system, players inhabit the bodies of fallen warriors, e...

Monster Hunter 4 introduced vertical hunting to the series, allowing players to climb walls and attack monsters from new angles. While a significant innovation, the game's 3DS exclusive status and som...