Games like Elden Ring that true RPG fans must try - Augustman Singapore (2024)

In gaming’s vast landscape, some titles are so monumental that they redefine the boundaries of open-world adventures. Elden Ring is one such game.

This sandbox role-playing game (RPG) has set a towering benchmark for every game that came before it. Captivating players with its intricate narrative, sprawling world, and mercilessly challenging combat. Yet, the brilliance ofElden Ring is not an isolated phenomenon.

Numerous titles can offer gamers a similar experience. These games capture the essence of what makes Elden Ring a masterpiece, while also being unique enough to make them worth exploring. For gamers looking to explore the best worlds like the lands between, there’s no shortage of games like Elden Ring.

Some of those games might not feature a vast open world like Elden Ring, and they may not even be 3D, yet they do not falter in providing an experience as immersive and challenging.

From games wrought with dangerous environments to titles with hard-as-nails enemies to combat, each of the entrants on this list offers their unique take on the open-world RPG genre. Both seasoned veterans of Soulslike games and newcomers will find something of interest on this list.

Here are the best games like ‘Elden Ring’ for those looking for a challenge

1. The Dark Souls trilogy – A series of linear Soulslike games like ‘Elden Ring’

Release years: 2011 (Dark Souls), 2012 (Dark Souls 2), 2016 (Dark Souls 3)
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360,Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch (only Dark Souls Remastered)

The spiritual predecessor to Elden Ring, the Dark Souls series is the quintessential starting point for anyone looking to get into the Soulslike genre. Dark Souls and its sequels are known for their intense difficulty, intricate level design and immersive worlds filled with deep lore.

Each entry in the Dark Souls franchise refines the gameplay mechanics further and expands upon the high-risk combat and exploration formula.

2. Bloodborne

Release year: 2015
Platform: PS4

Another Soulslike gem from FromSoftware, Bloodborne takes everything the Dark Souls series built and turns it into an adrenaline-filled horror experience. Set in the Victorian-esque city of Yharnam, this game pushes players to explore dark streets and grotesque environments, battling citizens who have turned into beasts.

It featured faster and more aggressive combat, encouraging players to be more offensive. To this day, many consider it to be one of the best Soulslike experiences ever created by FromSofware.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Release year: 2015, 2019 (Nintendo Switch), 2022 (PS5, Xbox Series consoles)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch, PC

This is not a title developed by FromSoftware, nor is it a Soulslike game, but it still has a lot of things in common with Elden Ring. The Witcher 3 features an expansive world with a very well-written and well-developed storyline. You get to play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter, who takes you on a journey through a war-torn world overflowing with ancient folklore.

Throughout their journey, you meet complex characters, explore vast landscapes, and are required to make some moral choices that affect the game’s ending. Its engaging narrative coupled with a detailed world makes The Witcher 3 a perfect addition to the list of best games like Elden Ring.

4. Demon’s Souls

Release year: 2009, 2020 (remake)
Platforms: PS3, PS5

This is where FromSoftware’s Soulslike franchise started. Demon’s Souls serves as the ancestor of the Souls series and Elden Ring. Sony, the publisher of Demon’s Souls, initially released it in 2009 for PlayStation 3. Years later when they saw the rise in popularity of Soulslike games, they released a remake for the PlayStation 5.

Demon’s Souls features a world enveloped by a mysterious fog that brings with it demons that feast on the souls of mortals. Players assume the role of a hero tasked with battling those demons and freeing that world of their presence. Demon’s Souls’ inventive boss design and story make this game a must-try for every Elden Ring fan.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Release year: 2017 (Breath of the Wild), 2023 (Tears of the Kingdom)
Platform: Nintendo Switch

While some might argue that the last two Legend of Zelda games and Elden Ring have no similarity at all, we say they share several core gameplay elements. Elden Ring pushes players to explore its vast open world to unlock its mysteries and defeat various bosses in the wild. Similarly, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom give players the freedom to do whatever they want.

Moreover, all these games feature a non-linear narrative, allowing players to approach the story and go through all the major bosses in whatever order they want.

These similarities are not very surprising either. In a 2022 interview with Xbox Wire Japan, Elden Ring’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki mentioned that Breath of the Wild played a big part in helping him make his open-world game more immersive. “I don’t think we took specific inspiration from any particular game but I’ve personally played a lot of open-world games that are considered classics of the genre, and I’ve been influenced by all of them. These include The Elder Scrolls series, The Witcher 3, and more recently The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” he said.

6. Hollow Knight

Release year: 2017 (Windows, Linux, macOS), 2018 (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One)
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One

Hollow Knight is not the 3D open-world spectacle that is Elden Ring, yet these games have more than a few similarities. Both feature a vast, interconnected world filled with strange creatures and challenging bosses. Only Hollow Knight plays more like a Metroidvania. For the uninitiated, Metroidvania is a term used for games that combine the guided non-linearity mechanics of the Castlevania and Metroid franchises, emphasising exploration.

Elden Ring, too, puts a lot of emphasis on exploration, giving players the freedom to explore the world around them the way they want.

7. Nioh series

Release year: 2017 (Nioh 1), 2020 (Nioh 2)
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5

Seeing the success of the Dark Souls franchise, Japanese developer Team Ninja started working on Nioh. These two games blend historical narratives with mystical elements, giving gamers a punishing yet rewarding Soulslike experience. Players fight both humans and yokai as they explore a fictionalised version of a war-torn Japan during the 1600s.

Team Ninja’s own Ninja Gaiden franchise inspires the combat in these games. Their unique combat and dark, intriguing setting make these games a worthy addition to this list of the best games, like Elden Ring.

8. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Release year: 2016, 2019 (Nintendo Switch)
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC

Capcom’s blend of action RPG with a vast open world is noted for its dynamic combat system that allows players to engage in large-scale battles against humans or mythical creatures using a system that affects their abilities and tactics. Players are free to choose a vocation that suits their playstyle.

The game also features a pawn system, allowing players to recruit AI companions to aid in their quests. These unique gameplay features, combined with Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen’s crushing difficulty, make this game an adequate choice for anyone looking for games that provide an experience like Elden Ring.

9. Monster Hunter: World

Release year: 2018
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

While Monster Hunter: World’s core focus remains cooperative play and monster hunting, its difficult high-stakes combat and a vast open world make up for every other shortcoming. Just like the Elden Ring, Monster Hunter challenges players to learn from each encounter and prepare for each battle beforehand.

Massive boss battles remain a constant focus here. The thrill of hunting and the satisfaction of winning fights make it a fitting recommendation to fans on the lookout for games like Elden Ring.

10. Lies of P

Release year: 2023
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, macOS, PC

Developed by Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio, this new game in the Soulslike genre draws inspiration from the tale of Pinocchio. The developers set this game in a dark Belle Époque-esque world. Combining grim aesthetics and challenging gameplay of Elden Ring and Bloodborne, Lies of P makes for a worthwhile experience for every Soulslike fan out there.

Players control a puppet called P. He must navigate through the city of Krat, battling challenging creatures as he searches for an old friend. True to its source, material, lying remains a core mechanic in this game. It even affects the storyline of the game. All these unique additions entice Elden Ring fans to check out this game.

(Hero and featured image credit: Courtesy FromSoftware)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the best game like Elden Ring?
Dark Souls 3 is the best game like Elden Ring.

– Which is the best game like Elden Ring for Android?
As of yet, there’s no game similar to Elden Ring for Android.

– Which is the best game like Elden Ring for PS5?
Nioh 2 is the best game like Elden Ring for PS5.