Recently, the Soulsborne community was taken aback by the announcement that FromSoftware's latest project, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne 2—would be exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. This news was met with a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a new title in the Soulsborne genre.

However, despair not, as the Soulsborne experience transcends any single platform. Since the groundbreaking release of the original Dark Souls in 2011, countless developers have endeavored to capture the essence of FromSoftware's unique formula. While some have fallen short, others have risen to the challenge, creating compelling and innovative games that resonate with fans.

You may already be familiar with prominent titles such as Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. Yet, it's the ingenuity of smaller indie studios that often delivers the most exciting experiences. Without the resources of their AAA counterparts, these developers have had to innovate, crafting games that not only echo the Soulsborne spirit but also offer fresh perspectives and gameplay mechanics.

Here's a curated list of ten exceptional indie soulslikes you can dive into right now, no Nintendo Switch 2 required:

Eldest Souls

Developer: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review

Eldest Souls masterfully encapsulates the Soulsborne formula, particularly its focus on epic boss battles. Set in a sprawling, Bloodborne-inspired citadel, players assume the role of a lone warrior facing off against creatively designed monsters. The game's dynamic combat system elevates it beyond typical 2D fare, offering an engaging experience that feels far more than just pressing buttons at the right time.

Blasphemous

Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review

Blasphemous immerses players in a haunting world inspired by the aesthetics of Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, evoking the eerie atmosphere of Bloodborne's Yharnam. As a masked crusader exploring the land of Cvstodia, you uncover eldritch horrors intertwined with Roman Catholicism. The game's striking character and boss designs, which have carried over into Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC, capture the unsettling essence of ancient Christian iconography.

Tunic

Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review

Tunic draws inspiration from the same sources as FromSoftware, particularly the original Zelda games, to create an effective soulslike experience. Despite its charming, cartoonish protagonist—a fox with a sword—the game's interconnected and deliberately obtuse level design closely mirrors FromSoftware's signature style. With no objective markers and indecipherable dialogue, Tunic challenges players to piece together its mysterious world.

Tails of Iron

Developer: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021

Tails of Iron and its sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, blend a charming picture book aesthetic with dark, mature themes reminiscent of Game of Thrones and The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games feature intricate environments that ooze atmosphere and character, echoing the detailed world-building of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.

Mortal Shell

Developer: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review

Mortal Shell stands out with its unique mechanic of inhabiting different "shells," each with preset builds, allowing for diverse combat strategies. Its visually striking design and challenging combat system rival FromSoftware's best, with enemies and bosses that demand precision and skill, much like Bloodborne's iconic encounters.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption

Developer: Dark Star | Publisher: Neon Doctrine | Release date: October 23, 2018 | Review: Read IGN's Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption review

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption flips the traditional progression model by forcing players to level down, making each boss battle more challenging than the last. This innovative mechanic enhances replayability, as players must strategize which abilities to sacrifice before each fight. The game's bosses, modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins, add depth and variety to the experience.

Nine Sols

Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024

Nine Sols takes direct inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, emphasizing defensive combat through dodging, blocking, and parrying. This 2D action platformer blends cyberpunk elements with East Asian mythology, creating a unique and engaging combat experience that rewards careful observation and timing.

Unsighted

Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021

Unsighted leverages the narrative and gameplay mechanics of character relationships found in Soulsborne games. Set in a world of automatons with limited power supplies, the game introduces urgency and strategic planning as players must decide the order of their progress to save key NPCs before their power runs out.

Another Crab’s Treasure

Developer: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review

Another Crab’s Treasure introduces a novel twist on the soulslike genre by focusing on defensive customization. Playing as a crustacean in a polluted ocean, players must adapt to various shells, each with unique attacks and limited durability, to navigate their underwater journey and control the fate of the ocean.

Exanima

Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015

Exanima combines the dark, demon-filled dungeons of Dark Souls with the challenging physics-based gameplay of Getting Over It. Despite being in early access for over a decade, it offers a rich, suspenseful experience with its finicky controls, reminiscent of the initial struggles in Lordran or Drangleic.