The Tool Desk
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What makes a Soulslike hybrid?
There is no single checklist that every player or publication uses. Game Informer notes that the category’s boundaries are nebulous, and its editors do not classify Hollow Knight as a Soulslike; other roundups apply the label more broadly. For this list, a hybrid combines recognizable Soulslike combat or progression cues with a distinctive genre, setting, or combat system. The ten picks below are organized by their defining blend, not ranked by quality.
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10 Soulslike genre hybrids to try
1. Remnant II — Soulslike action with third-person shooting
Remnant II brings a shooter’s ranged combat into the Soulslike mix. Its firearms give combat a different emphasis from games built mainly around close-range weapons, while the game’s inclusion in current Soulslike roundups makes it a clear example of the label’s broader use. Choose it if you want a Soulslike-style action game whose central combat language includes shooting.
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2. Nioh 2 — Soulslike structure with faster action
Nioh 2 is the pick for players drawn to a more rapid action feel. GamesRadar+ describes its clashes as faster-paced than the more measured combat commonly associated with Soulslikes. The result is a blend that emphasizes speed and momentum rather than treating the genre’s familiar combat cues as a requirement to move slowly.
#1 Best Overall
- Explore a land of vast wonders - A world unseen, where new sights rise with every stride- Enter a fascinating realm filled with the wonders and discoveries of ancient Chinese mythology! Confront mighty foes, old and new - Heroic Monkey, might and fame, adversaries rise, to test his name. One of the major highlights of Journey to the West is its diverse cast of adversaries, each with unique strengths.
- Temper your mastery of varied spells - Spells unbound, knowledge's flight, infinite abilities take their height. Spells, transformations, and magic vessels in all manifestations, complementary yet adversarial, have long been iconic combat elements of Chinese mythology.
- Discover heartfelt tales behind every façade - Uncover the stories behind a variety of characters. Beneath the ferocity of your foes is a tapestry of their origins, personalities and motivations waiting to be revealed.
- Digital Deluxe Edition Voucher Code Included - PSN voucher code provides Bronzecloud Staff, Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, Folk Opera Buskins, Wind Chimes, and selected Digital Soundtrack.
- Languages – In-game voice: Chinese and English. In-game text: English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.
3. Hollow Knight — Soulslike cues in a 2D exploration game
Hollow Knight shows how far the Soulslike label can stretch when applied to 2D games. It appears in Steam’s current Soulslike-tag search, but Game Informer explicitly excludes it from its own definition. That disagreement is useful context: consider it if you want a 2D action-and-exploration experience that some storefronts and roundups group with Soulslikes, while recognizing that the classification is contested.
4. Elden Ring — Soulslike action in a broad fantasy world
Elden Ring is a strong starting point for readers seeking Soulslike action in a fantasy setting with a broad sense of exploration. Steam’s Soulslike-tag results include it, but the tag alone does not settle genre debates or establish a universal ranking. Pick it when you want a large-scale fantasy take rather than a shooter-led or 2D hybrid.
Rank #2
- Soulslike Video Game design.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
5. Lies of P — Soulslike action with a distinct storybook setting
Lies of P pairs Soulslike action conventions with a dark reimagining of the Pinocchio story. It is another title listed in Steam’s Soulslike-tag search. Its hybrid appeal is primarily the contrast between recognizable genre cues and a setting drawn from a familiar tale rather than a conventional fantasy backdrop.
6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — Soulslike cues with a distinct combat identity
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice appears in Steam’s Soulslike-tag search, though individual players may draw the genre boundary differently. It belongs here as an example of a game often grouped with Soulslikes despite having a combat identity of its own. Try it if you are interested in how a distinct action system can sit alongside Soulslike associations.
Rank #3
- 2-Pack Gamer Towels: Includes two matching hand towels with the phrase “You Dried,” styled after the iconic “You Died” screen from Soulslike games
- Perfect Size: Each towel measures 16 x 27 inches, making them ideal as hand towels, guest towels, or kitchen towels.
- Soft & Absorbent: Made from 100% cotton for a comfortable feel and everyday practicality.
- Subtle Gamer Decor: A fun, understated reference to Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Nightreign, and Bloodborne that fans will instantly recognize.
- Great Gift for Gamers: Makes a unique housewarming, holiday, or birthday gift—perfect for gaming bathrooms, kitchens, or display decor.
7. Salt and Sanctuary — 2D action with Soulslike framing
Salt and Sanctuary is a useful choice for players who want Soulslike ideas expressed through a two-dimensional action game rather than a 3D world. Its hybrid is the shift in perspective and presentation: the genre’s recognizable action cues are recast in a 2D format.
8. The Surge 2 — Soulslike action in science-fiction surroundings
The Surge 2 takes Soulslike action into a science-fiction setting. That setting is the key contrast for players who want a change from fantasy worlds while staying within a familiar action-game framework.
Rank #4
- Overhauled Character Creator – Create more lifelike characters with improved facial detail, body shapes, and visual fidelity
- Shared-Progression Cross-Play Cooperative Play – Both players now save all main story progress as long as they’re on the same “New Game” and have defeated a similar number of main bosses within one. Both players retains all loot, 100 percent vigor, and can revive each other in all online sessions.
- Free Friend’s Pass – Invite any friend to join your adventure in online co-op even if they don’t own the game. Friends keep loot and character progress, plus get full offline access to the tutorial and character creator
- Revamped Combat and Movement – V2.0 adds smoother animations, better weapon response, refined lock-on, improved evasions, and new grievous strike prompts
9. Code Vein — Soulslike action with anime presentation
Code Vein combines Soulslike action conventions with anime-inspired character design and presentation. It is a natural fit if the visual style is as important to your choice as the combat framework.
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10. Mortal Shell — Soulslike action built around a distinctive defensive system
Mortal Shell adds a defensive identity to Soulslike action through its emphasis on hardening. Its hybrid is less about changing into a different genre and more about making a particular combat mechanic the defining twist. Choose it if you want the familiar action framework with a distinctive defensive focus.
Best Value
- The essence of battle: Wield and master various weapons with unique combinations of Fable Arts and Legion Arms to find out what fits your playstyle
- Variety of attraction: Enjoy the beautiful, yet dark atmosphere of the Belle Époque era and explore the once prosperous city of Krat
- Lie system: P is made of a puppet's heart, but he learns how to think and feel like a human by lying
- Legacy of the classics: The city of Krat, the characters, and even the smallest objects reflect our deepest admiration for the original tale of Pinocchio
Which hybrid should you choose?
- For shooting: Start with Remnant II, the clearest shooter-flavored example in recent Soulslike coverage.
- For faster action: Try Nioh 2, which GamesRadar+ highlights for its faster-paced clashes.
- For a 2D perspective: Consider Hollow Knight or Salt and Sanctuary; keep in mind that the Soulslike label is contested for Hollow Knight.
- For a different setting or presentation: Look at Elden Ring, Lies of P, The Surge 2, or Code Vein, depending on whether you want broad fantasy, a storybook reimagining, science fiction, or anime-inspired style.
- For a combat-system twist: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Mortal Shell offer distinct action identities within games often associated with the Soulslike conversation.
Check availability before choosing
Storefront tags and listings can change, and platform, edition, and regional availability are not established by a genre label. Check the store for your platform and region before buying, particularly if you need a specific edition or format.
Quick Recap
Sources
- GamesRadar+’s Soulslike games roundup discusses variation from 2D to 3D and identifies the shooter angle in Remnant II and faster action in Nioh 2.
- Steam’s Souls-like tag search lists titles including Elden Ring, Lies of P, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Hollow Knight, and Remnant II.
- Game Informer’s discussion of what makes a Soulslike describes the category’s uncertain boundaries and says its editors do not consider Hollow Knight a Soulslike.
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