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DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin

46 Games like DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin that you should try

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Looking for games like DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin? The NextGameLike editorial team analyzed its gameplay DNA — deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and melee combat — against over 6,700 titles. These 46 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Dark Souls II leads with 95/100, followed by the rest of the list.

NextGameLike83/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreSoulslike
Tags
HardcoreDarkSoloMultiplayer
Year 2015Dev BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America

Quick answer

The closest game to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is Dark Souls II — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. ELDEN RING and Dark Souls III follow close behind.

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Top games similar to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin

46 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin. Each one has been evaluated across 15 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

1

Dark Souls II

95
NGL89
Dark Souls II
Closest on genre
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeMagicHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyMedievalSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2014Dev FromSoftwareOn PlayStation 3 · PC

If DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay and skill tree progression. The distance is in progression — its own ground is exploration and discovery.

Genre100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Game mode85Combat84
2

ELDEN RING

93
NGL93
ELDEN RING
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeMagicHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyMedievalSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2022Dev FromSoftware · Bandai Namco EntertainmentPlaytime ~62hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Held in common with DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds single-player focus and skill tree progression. They part company on progression: this one brings exploration and discovery.

Released 7 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Tone100Setting100Combat84Visuals76Game mode75
3

Dark Souls III

93
NGL91
Dark Souls III
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyMedievalSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2016Dev FromSoftware · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

It shares the essentials of what DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and skill tree progression. Where the two diverge is progression: exploration and discovery.

Genre100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Game mode89Combat74
4

Demon's Souls

93
NGL92
Demon's Souls
Closest on combat
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeMagicNarrativeDarkHardcoreFantasyThird Person
Year 2020Dev Bluepoint Games · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS5

If DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin worked for you because of strong narrative focus, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. Both also lean on co-op play and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting — its own ground is horror setting.

Released 5 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Visuals100Game mode77Setting46
5

Lords of the Fallen

95
NGL69
Lords of the Fallen
Closest overall match
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloCo-opMultiplayerMeleeMagicHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyMedievalSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2023Dev HEXWORKS · CI GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

What brings it close to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, combat and tone. Both also lean on single-player focus and skill tree progression. The distance is in progression — its own ground is exploration and discovery.

Released 8 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Game mode75
6

Salt and Sanctuary

89
NGL84
Salt and Sanctuary
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
Co-opSoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasySkill Tree
Year 2016Dev Ska StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

It comes from the same genre as DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on co-op play and skill tree progression. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is exploration and discovery, and horror setting.

Genre100Tone100Game mode93Combat74Setting48Progression29
7

Remnant: From the Ashes

89
NGL81
Remnant: From the Ashes
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyThird Person
Year 2019Dev Gunfire Games · Perfect World EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

Held in common with DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds co-op play and a third-person camera. They part company on setting: this one brings post-apocalyptic world.

Released 4 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Tone100Visuals100Game mode85Combat74Setting42
8

Remnant II

88
NGL82
Remnant II
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
Co-opSoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasySkill TreeThird Person
Year 2023Dev Gunfire Games · Gearbox PublishingOn Xbox · PC · PS5

The thread back to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin runs through punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on skill tree progression and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting — its own ground is post-apocalyptic world.

Released 8 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Tone100Visuals100Game mode83Combat74Progression73
9

Dark Souls

85
NGL91
Dark Souls
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeMagicHardcoreNarrativeDarkFantasyMedievalThird Person
Year 2011Dev FromSoftware · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC

If DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. Both also lean on single-player focus and a third-person camera. The distance is in progression — its own ground is exploration and discovery.

Genre100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Game mode87Combat82
10

Nioh 2

86
NGL85
Nioh 2
Closest on game mode
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreDarkFantasyThird Person
Year 2020Dev Team NINJA · Koei Tecmo GamesOn PS4

What brings it close to DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and visuals. The common ground extends to co-op play and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and combat: historical setting.

Released 5 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone91Combat68Setting45
11

Ashen

88
NGL74
Ashen
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyThird Person
Year 2018Dev A44 · Annapurna InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

Same family as DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on single-player focus and a third-person camera. The distance is in progression and setting — its own ground is exploration and discovery.

Released 3 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Tone100Visuals100Game mode81Combat74Setting63
12

LIZARDS MUST DIE

84
NGL83
LIZARDS MUST DIE
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreNarrativeFantasyThird Person
Year 2023Dev The Bratans · AgafonoffPlaytime ~1hOn PC

On paper it is what DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin is — punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay and a third-person camera. The distance is in progression and setting — its own ground is exploration and discovery, and historical setting.

Released 8 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Game mode100Tone83Combat73Visuals67Setting33
13

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

79
NGL89
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Closest on progression
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeHardcoreNarrativeSkill TreeThird Person
Year 2023Dev FromSoftware · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

It comes from the same genre as DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds skill tree progression and a third-person camera. They part company on setting and combat: this one brings tactical combat and a sci-fi setting.

Released 8 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Progression100Game mode87Tone79Visuals61Combat55
14

Mortal Shell

80
NGL72
Mortal Shell
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyThird Person
Year 2020Dev Cold Symmetry · PlaystackOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

The genre is the same as DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin’s, and with it punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds multiplayer gameplay and a third-person camera. They part company on progression and setting: this one brings exploration and discovery, and horror setting.

Released 5 years after DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.

Genre100Tone100Visuals100Combat74Game mode65Setting58
15

Lords Of The Fallen 2014

83
NGL57
Lords Of The Fallen 2014
RPGAction RPGSoulslike
SoloMeleeMagicHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyMedievalThird Person
Year 2014Dev City Interactive · Square EnixPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

It shares the essentials of what DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is progression and game mode: exploration and discovery.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Game mode34

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Rankings in the same genre

Sometimes what you want is not a DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin look-alike but simply the best Soulslike Games there are. That is what these rankings are for: no comparison to anything, just the highest-rated games. And if you feel like widening the net, the RPG Games ranking is a good way to run into something you were not expecting.