The best PC games like Elden Ring share its DNA: challenging combat that rewards mastery, worlds that reward exploration, and a sense of discovery that most games can’t match. Whether you want more Soulslikes, open-world RPGs, or action games with real stakes, this list has you covered.
We’ve curated 15 games across three categories: pure Soulslikes, open-world RPGs with challenging combat, and action games with similar exploration and discovery.
For more game recommendations, see our best PC games 2026 and best indie PC games.
Best Soulslikes
1. Dark Souls III
Genre: Soulslike | Price: $60 | Rating: 94/100
The most direct comparison to Elden Ring. Dark Souls III has tighter, more focused level design than Elden Ring’s open world, with the same precise combat and lore-rich world. If you loved Elden Ring’s boss fights, DS3 has the best boss roster in the series — Nameless King, Slave Knight Gael, and the Soul of Cinder are legendary encounters.
Why play: The most polished Dark Souls game. Best bosses, best combat feel, and the most accessible entry point for the series.
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Genre: Action Soulslike | Price: $60 | Rating: 96/100
FromSoftware’s most challenging game. Sekiro replaces the RPG build system with pure action — one sword, one posture system, and no leveling. The parry-based combat is the most satisfying in any game. Once you master it, you feel like a supernatural ninja.
Why play: The best combat FromSoftware has designed. Harder than Elden Ring, but more satisfying when you master it.
3. Bloodborne
Genre: Action RPG | Price: $20 (PS Plus Premium streaming) | Rating: 95/100
Note: Bloodborne is PS4 exclusive and not natively on PC. It’s available via PS Plus Premium cloud streaming. We include it because it’s the most requested “Elden Ring-like” game. The faster, more aggressive combat and Lovecraftian world make it a unique Soulslike experience.
Why play: The most atmospheric FromSoftware game. If you have PS Plus Premium, stream it.
4. Lies of P
Genre: Soulslike | Price: $60 | Rating: 88/100
The best non-FromSoftware Soulslike. Lies of P is a Pinocchio-inspired dark fantasy with precise combat, excellent boss design, and a weapon assembly system that lets you mix and match blades and handles. The parry system is more forgiving than Sekiro but still demanding.
Why play: The best Soulslike not made by FromSoftware. If you’ve played all the Souls games and need more, this is it.
5. Demon’s Souls (Remake)
Genre: Soulslike | Price: $70 (PS5) | Rating: 92/100
Note: PS5 exclusive. The original Souls game, rebuilt with stunning visuals. The world tendency system (the game world changes based on your actions) is unique and hasn’t been replicated. The archstone-based level structure is more focused than Elden Ring’s open world.
Why play: Where it all started. The remake is gorgeous and the world tendency system is fascinating.
Best Open-World RPGs
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Genre: Open-World RPG | Price: $40 | Rating: 96/100
The best open-world RPG ever made. The Witcher 3 shares Elden Ring’s sense of discovery and world-building, but with a stronger narrative focus. The combat is easier than Elden Ring, but the world is equally rich with stories, secrets, and memorable characters. The Blood and Wine expansion is one of the best RPGs ever made.
Why play: The best story in any open-world RPG. If Elden Ring’s lore fascinated you, The Witcher 3 tells its story more directly.
7. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Genre: Open-World Action RPG | Price: $70 | Rating: 85/100
The most Elden Ring-like open-world RPG not made by FromSoftware. Dragon’s Dogma 2’s combat is the best in any open-world RPG — the vocation system (classes) creates genuinely different playstyles, and the pawn AI companions are surprisingly competent. The world is full of secrets, hidden caves, and encounters that feel organic.
Why play: The best open-world combat outside of Elden Ring. The vocation system is deep and rewarding.
8. Skyrim (Anniversary Edition)
Genre: Open-World RPG | Price: $50 | Rating: 90/100
15 years later, Skyrim remains one of the best open-world exploration games. The mod community keeps it alive with graphical overhauls, new quests, and gameplay systems. If Elden Ring’s exploration appealed to you, Skyrim’s world is equally dense with dungeons, quests, and secrets — with a completely different combat system.
Why play: The most modded game ever. Install Wabbajack mod packs for a completely different experience.
9. Monster Hunter: World
Genre: Action RPG | Price: $20 (base) + $40 (Iceborne) | Rating: 91/100
If Elden Ring’s boss fights were your favorite part, Monster Hunter: World is 100% boss fights. Each monster requires learning its patterns, exploiting weaknesses, and coordinating with your weapon type. The combat depth is staggering — 14 weapon types, each with unique mechanics and combos.
Why play: The best boss fights in gaming. If you want challenging combat without the exploration, this is it.
10. Baldur’s Gate 3
Genre: RPG | Price: $60 | Rating: 97/100
Not a Soulslike, but the best RPG of the decade. BG3 shares Elden Ring’s sense of discovery and world-building, but with turn-based combat and a narrative focus. The choices you make reshape the world in ways that feel as impactful as Elden Ring’s ending paths.
Why play: The best RPG ever made. If you want world-building and discovery without the difficulty, BG3 is perfect.
Best Action & Exploration Games
11. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Genre: Metroidvania | Price: $30 | Rating: 97/100
The best 2D Soulslike. Hollow Knight shares Elden Ring’s sense of discovery — a vast, interconnected world full of secrets, challenging bosses, and lore told through environment rather than dialogue. Silksong is faster and more vertical than the original.
Why play: The best 2D exploration game. If you loved Elden Ring’s world design, Hollow Knight does the same in 2D.
12. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Genre: Action-Adventure | Price: $70 | Rating: 86/100
A Soulslike for Star Wars fans. Jedi: Survivor’s combat is heavily inspired by FromSoftware — parry-based, stamina-managed, and challenging on higher difficulties. The exploration is Metroidvania-style (unlock new abilities to access new areas). The Star Wars skin makes it accessible for fans who find Souls games too punishing.
Why play: The best Star Wars game. Soulslike combat in a Star Wars world.
13. Nioh 2
Genre: Soulslike | Price: $60 | Rating: 89/100
The deepest combat in any Soulslike. Nioh 2’s stance system (low/mid/high), Ki Pulse mechanic (recover stamina by timing button presses), and Yokai abilities create combat that’s more complex than any FromSoftware game. The loot system (Diablo-style random stats) adds replayability but also grind.
Why play: The most complex Soulslike combat. If you mastered Elden Ring and want more depth, Nioh 2 delivers.
14. Remnant 2
Genre: Soulslike Shooter | Price: $70 | Rating: 87/100
Elden Ring with guns. Remnant 2 is a Soulslike where you shoot instead of swing. The procedurally generated worlds mean every playthrough is different. The boss design is creative — each boss has unique mechanics that require specific strategies. The co-op is seamless — drop in/out with friends.
Why play: The best Soulslike shooter. Procedural worlds + co-op = infinite replayability.
15. Blasphemous 2
Genre: Metroidvania | Price: $25 | Rating: 87/100
A 2D Soulslike with the darkest art style in gaming. Blasphemous 2’s penitent one fights through a nightmarish religious world with precise, punishing combat. The new weapon system (3 weapon types) adds variety. The pixel art is stunning — every frame could be a painting.
Why play: The darkest, most atmospheric 2D Soulslike. $25 for 20+ hours of challenging, beautiful content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best game like Elden Ring?
Dark Souls III is the most similar — same developer, same combat system, more focused level design. For open-world exploration, The Witcher 3. For challenging combat, Sekiro. For non-FromSoftware Soulslikes, Lies of P.
Is Elden Ring the hardest Souls game?
No. Elden Ring is the most accessible Souls game because the open world lets you overlevel and skip difficult areas. Sekiro is the hardest — you can’t overlevel, you can’t summon, and the parry system requires precise timing.
What should I play after Elden Ring?
Dark Souls III for more FromSoftware. Sekiro for a harder challenge. Dragon’s Dogma 2 for open-world RPG. Lies of P for a new Soulslike. Monster Hunter: World if you only want boss fights.
Are there any open-world games like Elden Ring?
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the closest — open world with challenging combat and deep class system. The Witcher 3 for story-focused open world. Skyrim for moddable exploration. No game matches Elden Ring’s specific combination of open world + Souls combat.
Conclusion
The best PC games like Elden Ring deliver the same sense of challenge, discovery, and mastery. Start with Dark Souls III for the most similar experience, Sekiro for the hardest challenge, Lies of P for a new Soulslike, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 for open-world RPG combat.
Elden Ring is unique — no game perfectly replicates its open-world Soulslike formula. But these 15 games each capture part of what makes it special.
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