Dark Souls is known for many things, but aside from ushering in an entirely new genre, many people associate the name with difficulty. The game demands concentration on another level, pushing players to their physical and mental limits, as well as punishing their mistakes from start to finish.
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But despite it practically being the poster child for the challenge, there are a few other games out there that are rated slightly higher on the difficulty scale. Some come from FromSoftware's expansive catalog, and others are entirely different developers who have managed to show that, with enough talent and motivation, a world-class Soulslike can be made by someone other than the original creators.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Premier Soulslike Challenge
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Difficulty Rating: 4.49/5
Sekiro abandons the stamina-driven combat of Dark Souls in favor of razor-sharp parries and breakneck speed. Success depends not on cautious strikes but on perfectly timed deflections that punish hesitation, and many veterans of the genre have said that this game blows every other title out of the park in terms of difficulty.
Bosses are merciless, demanding mastery of mechanics with little room for error. The healing is limited, and death often resets hard-earned progress towards taking down that next big barrier. It’s a game that rewards only perfect execution, earning its reputation as FromSoftware’s most unforgiving creation.
Dark Souls 2
Testing Patience More Than Ever
Dark Souls 2
- Released
- March 11, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Difficulty Rating: 4.34/5
Often called the black sheep of the franchise, Dark Souls 2 followed up the breakout hit with a larger world full of even more threats and a huge list of bosses for players to learn and challenge. The real difficulty comes from the number of enemies and their placements, as well as a few extra mechanics like hollowing, which made deaths even more frustrating than they already were.
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Its punishing design forces players to adapt to grueling encounters and unpredictable pacing in a way that the other games just simply didn't demand. With sprawling areas filled with traps, mobs, and at times, some pretty unfair encounters, Dark Souls 2 remains one of the toughest entries out there for newcomers and returning players alike.
Nioh 2
A Rare Perfect Follow-up
Nioh 2
- Released
- March 13, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Difficulty Rating: 4.30/5
Nioh 2 blends soulslike structure with fast-paced, combo-heavy combat that demands split-second reflexes and a wide knowledge set to fully succeed. Players must juggle stances, manage Ki, and master a vast arsenal of weapons while facing off against ferocious yokai in a world that is both horrifying and deeply challenging.
The difficulty is amplified by intricate systems and punishing bosses that strike with overwhelming force. Even minor enemies can tear unprepared players apart in a matter of moments, requiring them to prepare for the worst at all times. It’s a game that rewards obsessive dedication, with a challenge level that surpasses Dark Souls in both complexity and intensity.
Dark Souls 3
Ending A Phenomenal Era
Dark Souls 3
- Released
- March 24, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Difficulty Rating: 4.34/5
Dark Souls 3 pushes the series to new levels of difficulty by accelerating combat to new speeds and expanding boss designs to new heights. The pace leaves little room for recovery, forcing players to respond instantly or face defeat, and the number of moves that each enemy and boss has means that players can never let their guard down.
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These highly accessible soulslikes still offer a challenge, although they do so without punishing players quite as harshly as some of their peers.
Bosses are among the most brutal in the series, often chaining attacks with barely a pause. The later areas pile on relentless encounters, demanding stamina and precision from start to finish, and a level of attention that has virtually never been surpassed since. For many, Dark Souls 3 represents the franchise at its hardest, surpassing its predecessors through sheer intensity, and rounding out one of gaming's most beloved trilogies in style.
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