While quite established in the gaming scene, thedefinition of the soulslike genreis still a highly debatable topic among players, with constant discussions about what exactly these games have in common and what the essential criteria are for classification. Named either “soulslike” or “soulsborne” games (though the latter is reserved forFromSoftware’s own titles), the genre naturally calls for comparisons withFromSoftware’s acclaimed games such asDark SoulsorBloodborne, which have recognizable patterns that other developers try to replicate or experiment with.
This list will define the most important features that the majority of soulslike games share. It’s not necessary to restrict every game in the genre to the features listed below, nor should every game be reduced to an ingredients list to apply to new games for comparison. Instead, this simplified list summarizes the most common features players come to expect from soulslikes today. For many players, the term “soulslike” can mean whatever they choose, whether it be the challenging spirit of such games, their mood and atmosphere, or the sense of accomplishment after a hard-earned victory.
1Checkpoint System
Restoring The World To Its Initial State
One of the most notable features that almost every soulslike has is the checkpoint system, with safe points where players can restore their health, level up their character, replenish healing items (usually flasks), and reset the world to its original state. These points are usually scattered throughout the world in the form of bonfires (Dark Souls 3), beacons (Remnant 2), or meditation points (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor) and are often placed right in front of challenging boss battles.
Additionally, players' progress is only saved at these safe points, so if you don’t reach a new beacon, you’ll have to start from the latest one you’ve unlocked during your next gaming session. More often than not, players can freely fast-travel between any unlocked point to return to challenging encounters, missed quests or items, and other valuables at any point in the story.
2Respawning Enemies
Convenient For Extra XP Or Rare Loot
Closely tied to the checkpoint system, respawning regular enemies is another common trait in the soulslike genre, keeping the world around the player constantly dangerous. When resting at safe points, players will restore all the slain regular enemies to their usual state, allowing them to kill these enemies again for XP points or random loot.
Earlier games in the genre were often criticized for this approach, especially since resting points were usually placed far from bosses. Players had to cover long distances and avoid enemies on their way just to reach the boss, only to be killed again, which could lead to frustration. More recent soulslikes are more forgiving in this regard, usually including resting points right in front of major boss arenas.
3Levels Full Of Shortcuts
Unlock Easier Ways To Reach Certain Areas Or Bosses
Unlockable shortcuts during exploration are another staple of the soulslike genre, common in both huge open-world games likeElden Ringand more linear titles likeLies of P. Essentially, players will encounter many blocked doors and unreachable ladders that they will be able to activate after some major detour later on.
This feature complements the games' checkpoint system, allowing developers to place fewer beacons on the path while encouraging players to unlock shorter routes to the existing ones and continue their journey from there. Additionally, it enables more intricate and interconnected level design, which many playersespecially appreciate about soulslikes.
4Regular And Unique Boss Fights
Prepare To Die For Hours Or Even Days
Alongside respawning regular enemies, soulslikes feature non-repeatable, unique, andchallenging boss fights. Many fans argue that facing tough bosses is what defines the soulslike genre, as these encounters serve as the ultimate test of a player’s skills andcharacter combat builds.
Often, players receive no introduction to new boss encounters, getting thrown directly into the heat of battle, which makes these encounters even more intense. Some of the most iconic bosses in the genre are so difficult that many players might give up their playthrough entirely rather than spend days or weeks learning attack patterns to finally overcome them.
5Stamina-Based Combat
Master These Tricks To Overcome All Obstacles
Challenging combat is a hallmark of soulslikes and typically has a familiar layout at its core. In most games, it is based on careful stamina management for attacking and evading, as well as an emphasis on blocking, parrying (inJedi: SurvivororBloodborne), or rolling to avoid enemy attacks. In fact, rolling is so prevalent in these games that it has become somewhat of an inside joke among fans.
Overall, the combat in the soulslike genre isn’t too fast-paced,with some rare exceptions. Instead, it rewards players for learning and strategizing against each major foe rather than relying primarily on reflexes and timing.
6Retrieving Lost XP After Death
Died Once? Not Really A Problem
The combat and progression in soulslikes wouldn’t be as challenging if not for the established death punishments. Players typically earn some type of currency from killing enemies and bosses (runes inElden Ringor souls inDemon’s Souls) that can be spent at merchants for upgrading gear or leveling up characters' stats at checkpoints. Upon death, players lose all their current currency but can retrieve it if they reach the place of death without dying again.
If players fail to reach that exact spot and die again, they will irreversibly lose all their dropped currency. This adds extra tension during tricky platforming sections in the soulslike genre or when trying to reach a distant checkpoint with many tough enemies in between.
7Cryptic Storytelling With Deep Lore
Can Be Hard To Follow For Players Used To A More Cinematic Narrative
Another notable and quite divisive feature of soulslikes is unique worlds with extensive lore and backstory but with very minimalist — even barebones — narratives and overall plots. More often than not, players who do not pay attention to the environment,boss design, or item descriptions can finishFromSoftware’s soulslikes with little to no idea what exactly was going on. The majority of other games in the genre follow in these footsteps as well, making it hard for players who prefer more straightforward storytelling to get hooked by such games' stories and characters.
Despite this important trait that some fans find essential, some soulslikes offer a more streamlined narrative similar to traditional action games, such asDarksiders 3,Lies of P, and theStar Wars: Jediseries. This means there are enough alternatives today for players who prefer stories that are easier to follow.
8NPC Hub Area
For Trading, Leveling Up, And Quests
Considering that soulslikes are essentially action-RPGs with unique traits, these games typically feature plenty of NPCs to talk to and quests to tackle. For the players' convenience, there is usually one large, peaceful hub area to which players can always teleport. Examples include the Roundtable Hold inElden Ring, Skyrest Bridge Hub inLords of the Fallen, and Vagrant’s Rest inAshen.
Within these encampments, players can interact with NPCs,upgrade their gear, trade with merchants, and take on side quests. Sometimes, these established camps undergo major visual changes throughout the journey, adding unique structures, changing decorations, or even altering the background music in line with story events.
9High Difficulty With No Easy Mode
These Games Are Unforgiving, No Doubt About That
Challenging difficulty is a hallmark of soulslikes, often associated with the genre among the gaming community.FromSoftware’s soulsborne games have no difficulty options to date, and many soulslikes have adopted this approach. When starting your soulslike journey, be prepared to see the “You Died” screen quite often and to be stuck on the most difficult bosses for days or even weeks.
This feature is often a hot topic for debate, with newer games, especially those closer to traditional action games, likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, implementing various difficulty settings towelcome more casual audiences. There is no well-accepted standard for difficulty in the soulslike genre, with some fans preferring these games to offer a universal level of challenge to every player, while others argue they would be more interested in such games if they weren’t so unforgiving.
10Third-Person Perspective
Where Are The First-Person Soulslikes?
While not as crucial as other features on this list, the third-person camera perspective (or alternatively, a2D or isometric viewin smaller or indie games) is widely associated with the soulslike genre today. Notably, we have yet to see a soulslike game with a first-person view. Until then, the third-person perspective remains the standard.
Considering howitemization plays a significant rolein most soulslike games, it is natural for many developers to choose the third-person view. Players enjoy combining different armor pieces for the so-called “fashion souls” character appearance. Additionally, facing aggressive and fast-moving bosses is likely more manageable when players have a clear view of what’s happening around their character, whether they are fighting with melee weapons in games likeCode Veinor using guns inRemnant 2.
