A good Soulslike makes failure informative. You notice an opening, adjust a habit and return with a plan rather than simply a stronger weapon. The label also covers markedly different games, so this shortlist includes FromSoftware’s own foundations alongside interpretations by other studios. Elden Ring is the pick for exploration, Dark Souls III for a more directed journey, Lies of P for deliberate defence and Nioh 2 for systems-heavy combat. None requires pretending that frustration is always enjoyable.
Editorial illustration, not a game screenshot.
Which games should you choose?
- Elden Ring: Choose it for a vast landscape where a difficult encounter is often a reason to explore elsewhere. Weapon variety and character development let you approach obstacles with different tools rather than following one fixed combat style. Freedom can become uncertainty; expect to interpret clues and tolerate difficult bosses even after improving your build.
- Dark Souls III: Choose it for a more concentrated route through demanding encounters. Its interconnected areas and escalating bosses provide structure for players who want a journey with less open-world wandering. It still expects patient observation and repeated attempts; a more directed route does not mean a gentler combat model.
- Lies of P: Choose it for measured encounters in a twisted Belle Epoque setting. Weapon choices and defensive timing make the attraction learning an opponent rather than merely increasing damage until it disappears. Do not assume one defensive technique solves every encounter; current difficulty options and version details should be checked before buying.
- Nioh 2: Choose it for intricate action RPG combat, weapon familiarity and the satisfaction of refining a build. Missions provide a framework for repeated practice and equipment decisions. The amount of loot and overlapping combat systems can overwhelm newcomers; learn one weapon before chasing complex builds.
Compare the main differences
| Game | Best fit | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | Exploration and build freedom | Limited direction and hard encounters |
| Dark Souls III | Directed dark fantasy progression | Repeated boss attempts |
| Lies of P | Deliberate defence and atmosphere | Timing remains important |
| Nioh 2 | Weapon systems and character builds | Loot and mechanical complexity |
Choose by the experience you want. Comparison by play preference, not a numerical score.
Choose the kind of practice you enjoy
Elden Ring is the best starting point here if exploration can restore your motivation after a difficult fight. Lies of P is better when you want to study a more focused series of encounters. Nioh 2 suits players who enjoy learning a substantial combat vocabulary, while Dark Souls III offers a concentrated view of the formula’s level and boss design. These are recommendations by fit, not a universal difficulty ranking.
Before another attempt, identify one reason you lost: stamina, spacing, healing at the wrong moment or unfamiliar attacks. A useful retry tests that diagnosis. Avoid assuming cooperative help, accessibility features or difficulty settings work identically across these games. Check the individual title and edition. Players mainly attracted to dark storytelling can enjoy other single-player RPGs without adopting the same demanding combat rhythm.