5 Indie Games That Just Might Scratch That Souls-Like Itch

It’s rare for a new genre to emerge out of nowhere in the games space. Of course, you have genres like roguelike and battle royale that came out of nowhere but these are the exception, not the rule. Yet, these aren’t the only genres to take the world by storm. In early 2009, with the release of Demon Souls, developer From Software created an entirely new genre of games that would only grow in popularity with subsequent releases. This genre is known as “Souls-Like” or “Souls-Borne” depending on who you ask, and it has one of the most ravenous fanbases that gaming has ever created. These games are known for their grueling difficulty, worlds seeped in complex lore, and the immense feeling of satisfaction the player feels when beating them. This is an oversimplification of what makes a “Souls-Like” game but, for the sake of this article, I’d like to focus on these few qualities as I walk you through five indie games that just might scratch that “Souls-Like” itch.

Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight

The first entry on this list is for those who aren’t just fans of “Souls-Like” games but also a secret or possibly not so secret weeaboo. In Momodora you play as a young shrine maiden looking to rid a cursed land of its affliction. But there’s so much more to this world to be seen and experienced through side characters and items.

Any Souls fan looking for a deep and elusive story to hunt will feel at home with Momodora. The story is only a small part of what I feel will sate fans hunger – the real bounty found here is in its gameplay. The platforming is pixel perfect, leaving even the quickest and most keen-eyed fans satisfied. And if you’re looking for a real challenge, you can always kick up the difficulty to an excruciating level to really test your skills.

Salt and Sanctuary    

For those looking for a more closely related game to the Souls series devoid of an anime girl aesthetic, look no further than Salt and Sanctuary. In this bleak world you find yourself shipwrecked on an uncharted island, filled to the brim with all manner of beasts hell-bent on tearing you limb from limb.

Similar to most Souls-Like games you’re able to choose your class before you even step foot in the game world which allows you to cater the gameplay to your unique play style with the obvious limitations that the stamina bar provides. If you’re a true masochist and want a challenge kin to a deprived run, make sure to choose the chef class who start out with extremely limited armor and a measly iron pot.

The one thing that I can say Salt and Sanctuary does to set itself apart from the Souls games is the inclusion of a real skill tree and stat descriptions, which are definitely quality of life improvements for plebeians like myself.

Death’s Gambit       

In many a Souls-Like, you’re purely dealing out death to all those who get in your way. But Death’s Gambit is another story entirely. In this 2D action platformer you play an agent of death named Sorun, tasked with ridding the world of the immortals and also with finding the source of immortality.

On your quest, you’ll come across a slew of different weapons and abilities, allowing you to mold your agent into an incarnation of death itself. There are seven different classes you can build into – everything from the standard soldier all the way to blood knights and wizards. Needless to say, you’re almost guaranteed to find a class that suits your play style.

Necropolis  

Necropolis is a special case on this list because of its roguelike elements, procedurally generated dungeons, and, of course, the ability to play the entire game with up to four friends in drop in/drop out co-op. Sadly there’s no couch co-op but, trust me, you’re not going to want to share any section of the screen with someone else.

Necropolis has a pretty intense difficulty curve for players like myself that aren’t necessarily dexterous but, because of its procedurally generated environments, you’ll be able to see a lot that the game has to offer without really having to “get good” – which is a nice change of pace.

Titan Souls

Titan Souls is quite unique and a genuine pain in my ass – but in a good way. Instead of a massive focus on action like many other “Souls-Like” titles, Titan Souls focuses on calm and calculated movements and precision gameplay. Armed with only a single arrow and your wits, you’ll have to dispatch colossal titans in order to acquire the Titan Souls, the source of all living things. The best and worst part about Titan Souls is actually what makes it so special – its one hit combat system. You die in a single hit, but so do your enemies. However easy that may sound, each Titan is like a puzzle that must be solved in order to find the point in which you shoot.

But of course, these are only a few of the titles that might scratch that “Souls-Like” itch for those still chomping at the bit after beating Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. There are many more indie games that might sate your appetites like Jotun or Hollow Knight, but I often don’t hear these games come up in conversation and thought they deserve more recognition. And last, but certainly not least, I wanted to wish all of those fans of the “Souls-Like” genre luck in all of your rage inducing, controller breaking, and face through a monitor endeavors. You’ll certainly need it.