Who could have predicted that FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls would usher in a new subgenre of gaming? The 2009 release set the stage for its spiritual successor, 2011’s Dark Souls, to take the world by storm. FromSoftware’s titles have undoubtedly influenced gaming as a whole.
The best Souls-like PS Plus games are typically difficult, prioritize boss encounters, and feature weighty combat that incorporates a degree of strategy. While games such as Lords of the Fallen wear their Dark Souls influence on their sleeves, others are a bit more subtle in their comparisons. Except for a few notable exceptions, PS Plus Extra and Premium do not have many Souls titles in their library; however, there are quite a few games like Dark Souls on PS Plus.
While quality naturally impacts the rankings, more traditional Soulslike games will be highlighted first.
Updated February 22, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Soulslike games are not added to PS Plus Extra every single month, so it is always exciting when something new lands on the service. Click below to jump directly to the February 2025 addition.
1
Bloodborne
FromSoftware’s Lovecraftian Souls-like Masterpiece
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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March 24, 2015
- How Long To Beat
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33 Hours
- Intense Fast-Paced Combat
- Immersive Victorian Gothic Setting
- All-Around Brilliant Boss Fights
- Chalice Dungeons Aren’t Great, But They Are Still Fine As Bonus Content
FromSoftware’s Bloodborne is the best Souls-like game on PS Plus Extra and Premium. A Gothic masterpiece set in the nightmare-inducing Yharnam, this PS4 exclusive is a masterclass in atmosphere, environmental design, music, and gameplay. Even post-Elden Ring, an argument could be made that FromSoftware peaked with Bloodborne, reaching a high that precious few developers ever get to achieve.
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Utilizing a far more aggressive battle system than the Souls games, Bloodborne does not allow players a single restful moment. When playing this game, every instance is spent on edge as a new terrifying beast lurks around every corner, waiting to brutally demolish the Hunter. It is glorious. Compared to Dark Souls or Elden Ring, Bloodborne has a smaller pool of weapons and armor, allowing for a more limited range of builds. Even though this decision can be disappointing, the included items are valid candidates that can carry players for most of the campaign, and the weapons have multiple forms. That said, the game still has a decent selection of options, so it is not fully a case of quantity over quality.
2
Demon’s Souls (2020)
A Gorgeous PS5 Remake Of The Original Souls Game
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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November 12, 2020
- How Long To Beat
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23 Hours
- Fantastic Visuals
- Revamped Combat
- A Genuine Current-Gen Experience
2009’s Demon’s Souls started the Souls-like movement, and FromSoftware’s masterpiece is still worth a playthrough beyond just its historical significance. In terms of pure atmosphere, Demon’s Souls is near-untouched, and most of the levels are incredibly well-designed (even if some are quite frustrating). Still, for all its brilliance, the original version shows its age in places.
Fortunately, 2020’s remake is readily available and does a great job of modernizing its ancestor without diminishing most of its strengths. Arguably the best-looking Souls-like on PS Plus, Bluepoint’s Demon’s Souls drops players into Boletaria, granting them immediate access to five Archstones that link them to different Worlds. Each one has a unique feel, and players are encouraged to jump back and forth between them.
Compared to something like Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls‘ difficulty comes from the trek to the bosses rather than the fights themselves, most of which are fairly easy by the standards of the genre (a few exceptions notwithstanding). However, the stages are long, dense, challenging, and puzzling.
2009’s Demon’s Souls is also on PS Plus Premium and birthed the Souls genre. While dated in ways (and hamstrung by the fact that PS Plus can only stream PS3 titles), FromSoftware’s project is nevertheless a masterpiece.
3
Remnant 2
Third-Person Shooter Souls-like With Great Co-Op
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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July 25, 2023
- How Long To Beat
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20 Hours
As fun as Souls-likes are in general, the genre’s releases can threaten to blend together, with most games featuring fairly similar combat. As such, Gunfire’s Remnant stands out due to emphasizing ranged gunplay over melee or magic. The 2023 sequel expands well on its predecessor’s solid foundations, presenting an improved experience that shines brightly in co-op while also working well enough as a solo adventure.
Split into worlds/realms that all have wildly different esthetics, Remnant 2 strikes a middle-ground between curated linear progression and open-ended exploration, the latter part coming courtesy of optional dungeons that use light procedural generation. The combat is pretty typical for a third-person shooter, but it is supplemented by a robust class system and modifiers like mods and mutators. The game also nails its boss fights, a few of which are massive in scope.
4
Nioh
Team Ninja’s Supernatural-Themed Romp Through Japanese History
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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February 7, 2017
- How Long To Beat
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35 Hours
- Intense Combat With Multiple Stances
- Consistently Challenging & Well-Designed Boss Fights
- Fun Setting
- When Is There Too Much Loot?
Team Ninja’s Nioh takes the Dark Souls formula and throws a few dozen or so mechanics on top of it. Featuring three stances, a plethora of weapon types, and an expansive world filled with secrets, Nioh‘s similarities to FromSoftware’s franchise are immediately apparent, however, the game does set itself apart quite well. The Japanese setting makes for a pleasant change of pace, especially since it is inspired by the Sengoku Period.
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The combat is quick and vicious, reflecting Team Ninja’s history with franchises like Ninja Gaiden. Nioh‘s campaign is split into smaller maps rather than one large interconnected world, although each area does come with shortcuts and plenty of secrets. Also, Souls players who love collecting loot will find that Nioh does not hold back in dishing out goodies. In fact, it might give away too many drops.
5
The Surge 2
An Admirable Sci-Fi Take On The Souls-like Formula
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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September 24, 2019
- How Long To Beat
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21 Hours
- Rare Sci-Fi Soulslike
- Dismemberment System
- Compact World
- Threatens To Overstay Its Welcome
Both of The Surge games are available on PS Plus Premium and Extra, and together they should provide more than 50 hours of Souls-like gameplay. While the first entry has its strengths, the sequel improves nearly every aspect of its predecessor. The combat is smooth and satisfying, especially since players have the option to target specific limbs of enemies.
The Surge 2 shows off a lot more of this universe’s dystopian setting, fleshing out the world’s backstory through its environmental storytelling. The Surge 2 is for anyone who has always wanted a sci-fi take on the Dark Souls formula, and the game does it well.
The Surge is certainly worth a playthrough, even if it falls short in a few areas when compared to its predecessor. Still, if someone wants to complete all the Souls-like games on PS Plus Extra, they should start with the first game in Deck13’s duology.
6
Mortal Shell
Rough At Times, But Interesting Take On Builds
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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August 18, 2020
- How Long To Beat
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11 Hours
- Shell System Is Interesting
- Gameplay Is Pretty Fun
- Clunky Compared To AAA Soulslikes
- Repetitive
Mortal Shell wears its Dark Souls influences on its sleeve, although the game does introduce a couple of fresh ideas. As tends to be the case with this sub-genre, the core gameplay loop revolves around exploring a dark fantasy world filled with enemies that pack a punch and respawn whenever the player dies. While a bit more linear than most FromSoftware’s projects, Mortal Shell‘s level design is cut from the same cloth.
Even though the combat system is relatively typical for these sorts of games, Cold Symmetry shakes things up in two major ways. For one, Mortal Shell incorporates different shells that correspond with classes, and players can swap between them at specific locations. These shells serve as replacements for traditional loot. Another unique concept is that players can harden their shells to block incoming attacks, a mechanic they will need to master if they want to overcome the campaign’s reasonably challenging bosses.
7
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
A Soulslite Adventure In A Legendary Universe
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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April 28, 2023
- How Long To Beat
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20 Hours
- Solid Lightsaber-based Combat
- Fun Blend Of Action, Platforming, And Exploration
- Great Visuals
- More Of A Souls-lite Than A Full-Blown Soulslike
The headline act of the February 2025 PS Plus Extra lineup, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a huge get by most metrics, and it is not just for die-hard fans of the franchise. Now, admittedly, the fact Fallen Order is not on PS Plus makes the addition of its sequel a less-than-perfect option for newcomers. While set a few years apart, the games’ stories continue directly from each other, combining to chronicle Cal Kestis’ journey as a Jedi Knight. While he was still coming to grips with the force in Fallen Order, Cal is pretty much a Jedi Master in Survivor, granting players a wide assortment of lightsaber stances and powers to utilize during battles.
Rather than a full open-world or the continuous semi-open structure of most Soulslike games, Jedi: Survivor is split into planets that are largely structured like 3D Metroidvanias. That means players are given the space to explore, all the while fighting off a fairly diverse roster of enemies. Like all Soulslikes, death revives fallen foes, and battles primarily come down to reading the opponent’s moveset and reacting accordingly. As fun as the combat system is, Jedi: Survivor does feel more like a Soulslite than a traditional Soulslike, and it is notably easier than most other entries in the genre. Basically, this game is for people craving a sci-fi action-adventure with Souls-style combat, rather than something that is exactly like Dark Souls.
8
Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
Fun Adventure With Challenging Combat
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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September 21, 2021
- How Long To Beat
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10 Hours
- More Accessible Soulslike
- Vibrant & Interesting Universe
- Weapon System That Encourages Trying Different Types
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an admirable indie project that could easily pass for a triple-A release. Ember Lab created a beautiful and immersive fantasy world that just demands to be explored, even if the campaign itself is fairly linear. Cast as the eponymous spirit guide, players must use their skills to put the deceased to rest and also fight back corruption as it spreads across the mountain. Along with a small pool of abilities, Kena is armed with a staff that can also be used as a bow.
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Although not quite as combat-driven as some Souls-likes, Kena: Bridge of Spirits nevertheless incorporates frequent fights, including a myriad of boss encounters that can pack a considerable wallop. Melee actions are reasonably satisfying to execute, and they are complemented well by Kena’s ranged and spiritual abilities. When not engaging in battles to the death, the game shifts its focus to puzzles, exploration, and light platforming. None of these elements are particularly original, but they are generally executed well.
9
Thymesia
Narrow Focus Results In A Well-Tuned Combat System
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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August 15, 2022
- Developer(s)
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OverBorder Studio
- Shakes Up The Souls-like Formula
- Generally Good Boss Fights
- Fast-Paced Action With A Focus On Parrying
- Repetitive Environments And Levels
- Parrying Is Quite Difficult (Not A Bad Thing, But Might Put Off Players Who Do Not Enjoy Parry-Focused Combat)
Ever since Dark Souls exploded in popularity, the gaming industry has been steadily putting out a stream of indie projects that adapt ideas introduced by FromSoftware. While most of them are 2D Metroidvanias, there are a few releases that kind of slot into the AA field, which has largely gone extinct during the last two console generations. Thymesia exists on the same level as Mortal Shell, at least in terms of production value; however, the games play completely differently, with the former taking a few pages from Sekiro‘s playbook rather than conventional Souls-likes. Yes, that means parrying is a cornerstone mechanic that players will need to master if they want to see the end credits, and the timing can take some getting used.
Featuring a plague doctor protagonist who, frankly, looks extremely cool, Thymesia is set in a kingdom that has succumbed to a disease, leaving mutated monsters in its wake. Corvus has to mostly clear out three zones, with each one containing a main boss and a couple of mini-bosses tied to secondary missions. This structure is arguably Thymesia‘s most divisive aspect, and players will spend all their time accepting missions that take them to one of three areas. While the side quests introduce new parts to each area, they still look the same, which can make the short-ish campaign feel repetitive.
Still, Thymesia has quite a few things going for it, including pretty fun combat that prioritizes speed and challenges the player’s reflexes. While weapon variety is limited, the game has a decent progression system that enhances Corvus’ movesets or performance.
10
Hollow Knight Voidheart Edition
The Ultimate 2D Metroidvania With Souls-like Combat
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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February 24, 2017
- Developer(s)
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Team Cherry
- How Long To Beat
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27 Hours
- Great Exploration
- Addictive Combat With Good Progression
- A Lot Of Content
Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight was one of the most popular indie games of the 2010s, and time has not dulled any of the project’s shine. This 2D Metroidvania is set in Hallownest, a deceptively massive underground kingdom that is filled with beauty and nightmares. Cast as the Knight, players must traverse this strange world, battling enemies and defeating bosses along the way.
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Similar to Dark Souls, Hollow Knight does not hold the player’s hand in any significant way. Encouraging exploration and backtracking, the game fills its world with lore drops and NPCs that deliver side quests. Hollow Knight is not only one of the best PS Plus Souls-like games but also one of the greatest titles on the service.
Hollow Knight is first-and-foremost a 2D Metroidvania, and it is primarily for fans of that genre who do not mind Soulslike combat.
11
Dead Cells
Perfectly Adapting Souls-like Combat To A 2D Roguelike
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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August 7, 2018
- Developer(s)
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Motion Twin
- How Long To Beat
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15 Hours
- Combat Is Satisfying
- Roguelite Structure Implemented Very Well
- Very Difficult But Rarely Unfair
Dead Cells is a 2D Metroidvania with rogue-lite elements in the sense that death sends players back to the start. As the Prisoner, players must traverse a dangerous island to kill its king, a process that entails defeating plenty of bosses along the way. During a run, the Prisoner picks up new weapons, items, and upgrades, all of which outside a select few are lost upon death.
Due to its procedurally generated levels, Dead Cells constantly shake things up so no two playthroughs are the same. This design not only extends the game’s replayability and lifespan but also ensures that players never feel too comfortable as they traverse this challenging world. The combat system is fast-paced and addictive.
12
Eldest Souls
Solid Isometric Alternative
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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July 29, 2021
- How Long To Beat
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5 Hours
- Boss Rush (Which Could Be A Con, Depending On What A Player Is Craving In A Soulslike)
- Boss Rush (Which Could Be A Pro, Depending On What A Player Is Craving In A Soulslike)
Eldest Souls does not hide its appreciation for FromSoftware’s genre-defining Souls series, but it is also not afraid to try and establish a distinct identity. Played from an isometric point-of-view, the indie game tells a simple story about humanity’s revolt against the gods and the latter’s counterattack that pushes the former to the brink of annihilation. As such, players must eliminate a string of gods to ensure their species’ survival. Eldest Souls is a boss-rush game, so the campaign centers solely around a collection of enemies that must be defeated. This is a notable change from the typical Souls-like since exploration is not really part of the package, although there are some interludes between the boss encounters.
Eldest Souls plays well, and it should hit the spot with people who seek out direct and aggressive combat. Each boss comes with their own arena, all of which are visually impressive in their own right. The bosses are, generally, enjoyable, and they pack a challenge without venturing into unfair territory all that often. The game even has skill trees to provide some build options, which does add an element of replayability to what is ultimately a fairly short experience.
13
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
An Unapologetically Bizarre Experience
- PS Plus Availability
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Extra & Premium
- Released
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March 9, 2023
- Developer(s)
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ACE Team
- How Long To Beat
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12 Hours
- Fun Combat System That Has Quite A Bit Of Depth
- Unique Visual Style And Setting
- Quite A Few Innovative Ideas
- Rough Around The Edges
- A Bit Too Directionless At Times
Like its spiritual predecessors, the Zeno Clash games, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is an acquired taste, even more so than other Souls-likes. Honestly, ACE Team’s game just about qualifies as Souls-like, largely due to the combat taking inspiration from the fighting genre. Immediately after booting up the game, players will be hit with a wave of absurdity and weirdness, two traits that define the entire experience. The characters are grotesque, the storytelling is bizarre, and the campaign loves obtuse design.
Still, despite being quite off-putting at times, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos has more than enough charm and strengths to warrant a recommendation. The melee-driven combat focuses heavily on combo strings and cancelations, creating a gameplay loop that can be intense and enjoyable when everything clicks. While not perfect, the game makes clever use of a day-night cycle, with the latter coming with an increase in difficulty.
