If you finished Elden Ring and are craving more dark, demanding, and deeply rewarding action-RPG experiences, you’re in the right place. This article walks you through 10 games that capture one or more of the things that made Elden Ring special from brutal, pattern-based combat and thoughtful build systems to atmospheric worlds full of secrets. For each title you’ll get a quick snapshot, why it’s a good fit for Elden Ring fans, platform notes, difficulty guide, and a short tip to get you started. No filler just honest, useful recommendations so you can jump straight into your next adventure.
What makes a game “like Elden Ring”?
Before the list: games that feel like Elden Ring generally share one or more of these traits:
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Challenging, skill-based combat where learning enemy patterns matters.
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Meaningful progression and builds (stats, weapons, spells, equipment).
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Exploration and hidden rewards — optional bosses, shortcuts, secret loot.
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Strong atmosphere and memorable boss fights.
Not every entry below matches Elden Ring in every way — some lean into story or speed (Sekiro), others change setting (sci-fi) — but all give the same rewarding loop: struggle, learn, and triumph.
1. Lies of P — Gothic, brutal, inventive
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: If you loved the open-ended build options and boss intensity of
Elden Ring,
Lies of P gives you a similarly deep combat loop with a fresh personality: a dark, Belle Époque city, mechanical enemies, and a morality/choice system that affects endings.
Difficulty: Medium–High (punishing but fair).
Quick tip: Experiment with weapon “overrides” and the crafting system early — they dramatically change how an enemy telegraphs attacks and how you can punish them.
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — Precision, posture, timing
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: Made by FromSoftware, Sekiro channels the ruthless learning curve of Elden Ring but strips out typical RPG stats for a hyper-focused combat experience based on posture, parries, and perfect timing. It’s less about builds and more about mechanical mastery.
Difficulty: Very High (steep learning curve).
Quick tip: Parry and deflect more than you think — many fights are won by breaking an enemy’s posture, not by whittling HP down.
3. Bloodborne — Fast, gothic, aggressive
Platforms: PS4/PS5 (Backward compatible / remastered availability varies)
Why you’ll like it: Bloodborne is the sleek, aggressive cousin of the Souls family: faster pace, offensive incentives, and an atmosphere of cosmic horror. If you want dark, tightly-designed levels and adrenaline-driven fights, this is a must.
Difficulty: High.
Quick tip: Aggression is a defensive tool here — striking back after taking damage often regains lost health, so play boldly when you can.
4. Nioh 2 — Deep builds, staggering complexity
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5
Why you’ll like it: Nioh 2 gives you incredibly fine-grained control over weapons, yokai abilities, and combat stances. It’s mechanically dense and rewards experimentation with combination builds — perfect for players who loved tinkering in Elden Ring.
Difficulty: High (customizable via settings and late-game systems).
Quick tip: Master the stance system (high/medium/low) and pair weapons with soul-matching guardian spirits — builds scale strongly, so plan early.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Open world, rich storytelling
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S, Switch (reduced)
Why you’ll like it: Not a Souls clone, but
The Witcher 3 shares the open-world exploration and dark fantasy vibes. If you want more narrative, side-quests with weight, and a living world to lose yourself in, this is the softer, story-heavy alternative to
Elden Ring.
Difficulty: Medium (you can scale it up).
Quick tip: Play with the difficulty and invest in alchemy — potions and oils make late bosses manageable and change combat tactics.
6. Demon’s Souls (Remake) — The origin, polished
Platforms: PS5
Why you’ll like it: The modern remake of the original Souls formula. If part of your love for Elden Ring is curiosity about its lineage, Demon’s Souls is the blueprint: deliberate level design, checkpoint tension, and memorable boss encounters.
Difficulty: High (classic Souls challenge).
Quick tip: Learn level hub mechanics and don’t be afraid to use multiplayer hints — the community remains helpful for newcomers.
7. Lords of the Fallen (2023) — Modern take on Souls design
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: This modern iteration aims to recapture the satisfying loops of Elden Ring with improved traversal and an emphasis on exploration. It’s a solid, contemporary Souls-like with variety in bosses and builds.
Difficulty: Medium–High.
Quick tip: Keep an eye on stamina and encumbrance thresholds — mobility matters more than raw defense in many fights.
8. The Surge 2 — Sci-fi Souls with limb-targeting
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: Want Souls-style combat in a sci-fi setting? The Surge 2 adds a limb-targeting system that makes gear acquisition tactical: cutting off certain parts yields different loot. It’s a refreshing mechanical twist for players tired of medieval fantasy.
Difficulty: Medium–High.
Quick tip: Target enemy limbs to farm specific components — understanding enemy anatomy speeds progression and lets you craft superior gear.
9. Code Vein — Anime aesthetics with partner mechanics
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: If you want Souls-level difficulty but with a more narrative and character-driven approach, Code Vein offers a companion system, vampiric powers, and build variety with a slightly easier learning curve. It’s approachable while still challenging.
Difficulty: Medium.
Quick tip: Use your AI partner effectively — customize their loadout to cover your build’s weak points (healing, crowd control, etc.).
10. Dolmen — Alien, haunting souls-like
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Why you’ll like it: Dolmen mixes souls-style combat with sci-fi horror. It’s smaller in scope but delivers focused boss encounters, weapon variety, and a grim, atmospheric world. Think of it as a compact souls experience with a Lovecraftian twist.
Difficulty: Medium.
Quick tip: Prioritize stat synergies for your weapon perks — Dolmen rewards specialization more than jack-of-all-trades builds.
How to pick the perfect next game
Use these simple filters:
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You want strict mechanical mastery: Sekiro, Bloodborne.
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You enjoy build depth and gear tinkering: Nioh 2, Lies of P, The Surge 2.
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You want narrative + open world: The Witcher 3.
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You want something fresh but familiar: Code Vein (anime + companions), Dolmen (sci-fi + horror).
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You want the roots of the genre: Demon’s Souls (Remake) and older Souls titles.
Beginner tips for players coming from Elden Ring
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Expect learning curves: Even if mechanics differ, the philosophy is the same: observe, learn, and adapt.
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Don’t hoard gear early: Try different weapon types — many games reward experimentation.
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Use checkpoints and shortcuts: Circle back — most maps hide easier paths or helpful items.
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Balance offense and defense: Heavy armor slows you down; mobility often beats tanking.
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Join the community for tips: Boss-specific tactics or build guides can save dozens of deaths.
Quick comparison table (at a glance)
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Most mechanically demanding: Sekiro, Bloodborne
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Best for build complexity: Nioh 2, Lies of P
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Best open world & story: The Witcher 3
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Best alternative setting: The Surge 2, Dolmen
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Most approachable Souls-like: Code Vein, Lords of the Fallen
Final thoughts
There’s no perfect “Elden Ring clone” and that’s a good thing. The ten games above pick up different threads from Elden Ring and weave them into distinct experiences. Whether you want to double-down on mechanical mastery (Sekiro, Bloodborne), lose yourself in an open world (Witcher 3), or try a sci-fi spin on the formula (The Surge 2, Dolmen), you’ll find something that scratches the same itch: the thrill of conquering tough foes, the satisfaction of refining a build, and the joy of discovering hidden corners in a beautifully crafted world.
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