26 Narrative games like ELDEN RING that you should try

What brings it close to ELDEN RING is punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, combat and tone. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. Its own ground is loot and gear systems, and Metroidvania exploration.

The resemblance to ELDEN RING is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, tone and setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play.

It meets ELDEN RING on strong narrative focus, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on PvP competition and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting — its own ground is horror setting.

What brings it close to ELDEN RING is punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, tone and setting. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where they diverge is combat.

If ELDEN RING worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus.

Same family as ELDEN RING: punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in combat and setting — its own ground is survival mechanics.

The genre is the same as ELDEN RING’s, and with it punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and co-op play. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: loot and gear systems, and post-apocalyptic world.

Shelved next to ELDEN RING for good reason: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and co-op play. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings loot and gear systems, and horror setting.

It shares the essentials of what ELDEN RING does: punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to a medieval setting and single-player focus. Where they diverge is game mode.

On paper it is what ELDEN RING is — punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on game mode and combat: this one brings horror setting.

It shares the essentials of what ELDEN RING does: punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on game mode and combat: this one brings precision platforming and cozy, relaxing feel.

The genre is the same as ELDEN RING’s, and with it punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on a third-person camera and fantasy world. The distance is in game mode and setting — its own ground is post-apocalyptic world.

It shares the essentials of what ELDEN RING does: punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on game mode and setting: this one brings horror setting.

It shares the essentials of what ELDEN RING does: punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is game mode and combat: stealth mechanics and historical setting.

Genre puts it alongside ELDEN RING, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: an anime aesthetic and 2D presentation.