As I roamed the Lands Between and uncovered every nook and cranny of its vast world, I thought the Elden Ring experience would never end. The same applied to Shadow of the Erdtree. This game is so massive and captivating that the idea of it ever ending ultimately skips your mind. Unfortunately, it ended and left a gaping hole in my heart.
Luckily, there are many games out there that scratch the itch left behind by Elden Ring. We have compiled a list of 12 other games that will help you counter that urge.
1. Soulsborne & Sekiro
Let’s get this one out of the way. Games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have long been celebrated as masterpieces in gaming, but not everyone has experienced them. If you’ve conquered the Lands Between in Elden Ring, now’s the perfect time to journey back and see how FromSoftware refined their design philosophy over the years to create some of the best games ever. You might be surprised at the recurring themes and characters.
If Elden Ring’s gameplay and dark fantasy themes hooked you, you’re in for a treat with Demon’s Souls and the Dark Souls trilogy, especially Dark Souls 3 and its stellar DLCs. Played a magic build in Elden Ring? Try it in Demon’s Souls!
Of course, these games are just as rewarding if you’re more of a sword-and-shield purist. The Souls series shares much of Elden Ring’s DNA, from its intuitive leveling system to its hands-off storytelling and intricate interconnected level design. There are a few annoying mechanics you will have to get used to.
Prefer a more aggressive playstyle? Then Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are your jam. Bloodborne actively encourages you to stay on the offensive by letting you regain health after taking a hit, but only if you strike back quickly. Timing is critical in all these games, but Sekiro takes it to a new level. Mastering its critical strikes to shatter enemy poise demands razor-sharp precision, making it arguably the most timing-intensive FromSoftware title.
Whether you dive into the gothic horror of Bloodborne or the feudal intensity of Sekiro, the thrill of risk-versus-reward that you loved in Elden Ring is alive and well here. Be warned, though: Sekiro is a single-player journey, so there’s no summoning help when things get tough. Still, the challenge and payoff are worth every ounce of effort.
2. Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom
Surprised? The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild revolutionized open-world gaming, and its influence on Elden Ring is undeniable, especially with features like the map markers system, which lets you pin landmarks for later exploration.
While Breath of the Wild isn’t a Soulslike and is significantly more accessible, it’s packed with secrets you uncover organically, delivering a genuine sense of discovery that more guided games can’t match.
This game’s open world invites you to explore at your own pace. Sure, there are towering structures that unlock sections of the map Assassin’s Creed-style, but they don’t handhold by marking every point of interest. You’ve got to find those yourself.
But if you think Breath of the Wild was vast, wait until you try its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. Everything you loved in the original is dialed up to an entirely new level. Sky islands hover above Hyrule, while the Depths lie beneath, tripling the scope of exploration.
And let’s not forget Tears of the Kingdom’s Ultrahand ability, which lets you craft incredible contraptions like planes, mechs, and more. It’s a playground for creativity, making every session a canvas for your imagination. If you’re longing for more of that exhilarating exploration after finishing Elden Ring, Tears of the Kingdom will satisfy that itch and then some.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3 earns its place on this list not for its combat but for its incredible world-building. Dark fantasy? Check. Grotesque monsters? Check. A fractured world to explore on horseback or foot, filled with mysteries begging to be unraveled? Double check. While Elden Ring currently holds the crown for “open-world game where you want to do everything,” The Witcher 3 wore it first back in 2015, and its DLCs, Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone, are so good they might even outshine the base game.
If you’ve ever tackled a tough boss in Elden Ring by prepping potions, spells, and strategy, you’ll feel right at home here. While The Witcher 3 doesn’t feature the same punishing combat mechanics, it emphasizes preparation and adaptability. Every monster has a weakness, and figuring out how to exploit it is as satisfying as any hard-fought victory in Elden Ring.
Like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3 isn’t afraid to make you question your decisions. Its morally gray characters and branching storylines will have you second-guessing yourself long after you’ve left one village behind for the next. This game is an absolute must-play for fans of intricate worlds and impactful choices.
4. Skyrim
If Breath of the Wild inspired Elden Ring’s open-world design, then The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim also contributed its share.
One of the most exhilarating aspects of Elden Ring is venturing off the beaten path and finding a hidden catacomb, an eerie settlement, or a monstrous boss. Skyrim perfected this gameplay loop years earlier. Bethesda’s frozen expanse of Tamriel is filled with random dungeons, encounters, and mysteries just waiting to be uncovered. The thrill of discovery and adventure is at the heart of both games.
While it lacks Elden Ring’s brutal difficulty, it offers comparable flexibility and personalization in combat. You can sneak through the shadows as a bow-wielding assassin, charge in with a sword and shield, or flinging fireballs from one hand while smashing enemies with a mace in the other.
Despite being over a decade old, the game still feels fresh and exciting, and thanks to its availability on almost every platform imaginable, there’s no excuse not to try it.
Though Skyrim isn’t a Soulslike by design, its modding community can turn it into one. On PC, you can tailor the experience by adding Souls-inspired combat mechanics, armor sets, and even Elden Ring-themed content.
5. Lies of P
Lies of P stands out as one of the best Soulslike games, faithfully recreating the FromSoftware formula in nearly every aspect. If you’ve heard it being praised repeatedly, there’s a good reason: it’s a remarkable title that feels like a FromSoftware game in everything but its name.
This alternate retelling of the Pinocchio story is perfect for Elden Ring fans. It incorporates elements that any Souls fan will find comfortingly familiar. While its gameplay leans more toward Sekiro and Bloodborne than Elden Ring, it shares the core mechanics of the Soulslike genre.
Often described as a spiritual successor to Bloodborne, Lies of P is set in the haunting, decimated city of Krat, where puppets have rebelled against humanity, plunging the world into chaos. You’ll guide Pinocchio through this dark and treacherous world, battling merciless bosses that leave no room for error.
The game’s stunning art style combines Victorian Gothic with dark fantasy, creating a world rich in atmosphere and dread. With its challenging combat, memorable boss fights, and intricate world design, Lies of P is an absolute must-play for anyone craving more Elden Ring vibes with a unique twist.
6. Remnant 2
Remnant 2 is easily one of the standout releases of 2023, offering a thrilling, rewarding, and occasionally punishing experience. A follow-up to Remnant: From the Ashes, famously described as “Soulslike with guns,” Remnant 2 takes that formula and expands on it brilliantly.
The game’s core is built around a multiverse mechanic, meaning each playthrough offers something new. Worlds, storylines, and encounters are shuffled to keep the experience fresh. With its mix of challenging enemies, mini-bosses, and full-scale boss fights, the game doesn’t shy away from testing your skills.
Remnant 2 has multiple classes, allowing you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle. The game lets you experiment with weapon mods that feel almost magical and a variety of firearms and melee options.
While Remnant 2 diverges from Elden Ring in several ways, it maintains the Soulslike spirit. It offers tough-but-fair combat, richly detailed worlds, and that addictive sense of accomplishment when you finally overcome a demanding fight. If you’re a fan of Elden Ring, Remnant 2 will scratch that same itch, while delivering its own unique spin on the genre.
7. Nioh & Nioh 2
The Nioh series spins a fantastical tale loosely based on Japanese history, blending folklore with fierce action. The games lean toward more directed level designs than Elden Ring’s sprawling, interconnected world, but they still reward exploration with secrets and hidden treasures for the curious.
On the surface, Nioh and Nioh 2 share a lot of DNA with Dark Souls: stamina governs your every action, and a respawn mechanic gives you one shot to recover lost experience points from where you died.
But dig deeper, and you’ll find a combat system inspired by Ninja Gaiden, with layers of depth and an emphasis on skillful execution. Each weapon has three stances, high for power, low for speed, and a balanced mid-stance, offering wildly diverse movesets. Combine this with ninja tools like poison shurikens, magic spells like lifesteal or fireballs, and devastating Guardian Spirit abilities, and the combat possibilities are nearly endless.
8. The Surge 2
Deck13’s The Surge 2 takes the Soulslike formula into uncharted territory, away from dark fantasy and into gritty science fiction. After their first attempt, Lords of the Fallen, received lukewarm reception, Deck13 struck gold with The Surge series, and its sequel is an even stronger effort.
Set in a dystopian city ravaged by a technological disaster, The Surge 2 swaps medieval swords and shields for repurposed industrial tools and high-tech weaponry. Battles are brutal and precise, with every enemy encounter feeling like a test of skill and strategy. What sets The Surge 2 apart is its unique dismemberment system, which allows you to target specific body parts during combat. Want a new weapon or piece of armor? Aim for the corresponding limb, sever it, and claim your prize.
While it adheres to many Soulslike traditions, challenging boss fights, interconnected level designs, and punishing yet rewarding gameplay, The Surge 2 feels fresh thanks to its sci-fi setting and innovative mechanics. Whether you’re slicing off robot limbs or exploring the chaotic, machine-ravaged world, it’s a unique take on the formula that Elden Ring fans might find refreshing.
9. Lords of the Fallen
Lords of the Fallen has had a rocky history since its original 2014 release, but the recent remake has given it a fresh start. Though it didn’t set the world on fire critically, it has its own distinct charm and offers a solid Soulslike experience, making it worth considering for Elden Ring fans.
The game allows for character customization akin to Elden Ring, blending melee combat and magic with a dark fantasy aesthetic. The unique world-on-top-of-the-world Umbral Realm mechanic elevates the world not only lore-wise but exploring two completely different realms at the same time.
Though initially, the game was choppy, subsequent updates have fixed issues and added valuable new content. One of the most exciting additions is a boss rush mode and a built-in randomizer for added replayability. These updates have significantly improved the game, making now the perfect time to dive into this revamped take on the Soulslike formula. While it may not reach the same heights as Elden Ring or Dark Souls, Lords of the Fallen has a similar lure for the soulslike fan.
10. Tunic
Tunic is an indie gem that captivates players with its retro-inspired exploration and enigmatic charm. This game is as much about the journey as the destination, offering a mix of mystery, magic, and unexpected twists, all wrapped up in the story of an adorable fox clad in a tunic.
You awaken on a beach without instructions or guidance, left to unravel the island’s secrets at your own pace. Much like Elden Ring, Tunic refuses to hold your hand, presenting a world full of challenges, puzzles, and hidden lore. As you explore the labyrinthine ruins, you’ll encounter brutal enemies, environmental riddles, and moments of discovery that will keep you hooked.
The game captures Elden Ring’s sense of freedom, complexity, and cryptic storytelling but offers it in a smaller, less intimidating package. Its vibrant, colorful world contrasts sharply with Elden Ring’s bleak landscapes, making it a delightful palate cleanser after enduring the Lands Between.
11. Hollow Knight
Don’t let Hollow Knight’s charming, cartoonish art style fool you. This punishing and complex Metroidvania shares many traits with Soulslike games. Set in the hauntingly beautiful world of Hallownest, the game combines challenging combat, a vast non-linear map, and a story that unfolds at your discretion.
Combat revolves around the “nail,” a sword-like weapon, charms, and spells, making encounters simple yet increasingly complex as you progress. Health recovery is tied to consuming the Souls you collect, and saving your progress requires finding the scattered benches across the map. This, coupled with the risk of losing your currency (Geo) upon death until you defeat your ghostly remains, gives the game its Soulslike reputation.
Each playthrough feels distinct due to its open-ended design, with no clear waypoints or set paths. Exploration is encouraged, and while it lacks Elden Ring’s sheer scale, it offers a similarly fascinating experience in a more compact world. The game’s sheer number of bosses, light horror elements, and richly detailed environments make it a great choice for players seeking an adventure that’s both challenging and emotionally rewarding.
12. God of War (2018)
Whenever discussions of gaming’s greatest achievements come up, God of War is always in the spotlight and for good reason. Though its focus is more on storytelling than open-world exploration like Elden Ring, its emotional depth and stunning presentation make it a standout experience.
Kratos and Atreus’s journey through the realm of Norse mythology is a deeply personal tale of growth, acceptance, and familial bonds. The narrative is both gripping and heart-wrenching, with breathtaking environments that feel alive with secrets to uncover.
While the game is more linear than Elden Ring, it offers plenty of exploration, from freeing dragons to battling Valkyries. This game can be considered a lite RPG, so your customization cravings will be satisfied.
Combat is visceral and satisfying, with a system that can be as tactical or straightforward as you prefer. Kratos’s Leviathan Axe and Atreus’s ranged support create dynamic encounters that are as thrilling as brutal.
And while the game’s main story is a tightly controlled experience, its post-game challenges and roguelike sections offer a level of difficulty that will resonate with Soulslike fans. The 2018 God of War is a masterpiece on its own, and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, continues the saga with even greater intensity.
Of course, the Elden Ring experience is hard to replicate, and no sequel is in sight. However, the games above have kept me from going bonkers and booting Elden Ring repeatedly. Hopefully, you like our list of best games to play if you like Elden Ring.