7 PvP games like Dark Souls III that you should try

It shares the essentials of what Dark Souls III does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in combat — its own ground is magic-based combat.

If Dark Souls III worked for you because of punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on combat: this one brings magic-based combat.

What brings it close to Dark Souls III is strong narrative focus, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, tone and visuals. The common ground extends to co-op play and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and combat: magic-based combat and horror setting.

It comes from the same genre as Dark Souls III and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to skill tree progression and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a sci-fi setting and 3D presentation.

It shares the essentials of what Dark Souls III does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in combat — its own ground is magic-based combat.

It meets Dark Souls III on deep RPG systems, melee combat and a medieval setting. Both also lean on PvP competition and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting — its own ground is fighting mechanics and online features.

On paper it is what Dark Souls III is — punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is competitive edge and 3D presentation.