Summary
- Soulslike games often have a multiplayer aspect that enhances the experience but is less discussed.
- Outward offers a fantasy world with survival elements where players can journey together seamlessly.
- Nioh 2 provides a simpler co-op system allowing for dedicated co-op experiences without hassle.
There are many moving pieces that make a Soulslike game. A stamina system you must manage, precise hitboxes, strong level design, enticing enemy designs. And while often celebrated but less often mentioned is the multiplayer aspect of these games. While rarely operating in the traditional sense, it is just as important.
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Posts 2Sometimes though, you just want to be able to sit down and play a game with someone, nice and easy. No randomly searching and obscure limitations. These games give you a taste of that, offering up a more traditional co-op experience to help you survive the grueling combat.
8 Outward
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RPG Released March 26, 2019 Publisher(s) Deep Silver Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Developer Nine Dots Powered by Expand CollapseOutward is the most lenient game in terms of Soulslike classification here, though it's not exactly a science defining them. It does check many of the boxes though with a base combat system very reminiscent of FromSoftware's own, though introduces many flourishes of its own.
Mixed with more standard Soulslikes system, Outward introduces many survival elements into its fantasy world. Thankfully, you don't have to go it alone. You can take the entire journey with a friend, with the world and enemies seamlessly adapting to fit you. The vast wilderness doesn't have to be lonely.
7 Ashen
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Action RPG Released December 7, 2018 Developer(s) A44 Games Publisher(s) Annapurna Interactive Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Powered by Expand CollapseAshen is a game that tries very keenly to be faithful to the foundations of the Soulslike combat formula. Slow and methodical actions, dark areas, and a carefully managed stamina system. Its multiplayer is somewhat akin to that seen in the Dark Souls series as well, with a degree of randomness.
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PostsIn Dark Souls, you see the silhouettes of other players. In Ashen, these characters appear physically in your world with you both sharing the space. This means you can choose to to help each other, or be a hindrance. If you want a more specifically co-op experience though, you can still set a multiplayer code if you want to remove of the randomness.
6 Nioh 2
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Action RPG Released March 13, 2020 Developer(s) Team Ninja Publisher(s) Koei Tecmo, Sony Interactive Entertainment Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 Powered by Expand CollapseHeralded by many as one of the few Soulslikes to really grasp at what the Dark Souls games achieved, Nioh feels at times closer to a character-action game, much of the Ninja Gaiden legacy flowing through its systems. Being level-based though, rather than an interconnected world, makes its co-op system much simpler.
While you can still place down a sign and summon players into your world, you can choose your mission and invite others in advance, giving you a dedicated co-op experience without all the fuss.
There's PvP too, if you'd rather fight your friends.
5 Hellpoint
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Action RPG Fighting Shooter Released July 30, 2020 Platform(s) PS5, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC Developer Cradle Games Publisher tinyBuild Powered by Expand CollapseSometimes, it can be better to temper your ambitions to make a solid, if somewhat unexceptional game. That's what Hellpoint is. It is by no means ground-breaking, but it has a clarity of vision that is simple and works, and makes some of its sytem more enjoyable as a result.
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PostsHellpoint is a very traditional Soulslikes experience, though has a unique aspect in its dynamic events that, in real-time, can alter enemy stats and locations. This can give some extreme difficulty jumps, so it's a good thing the co-op is fully drop-in at the press of a button, both locally and online.
4 Salt And Sacrifice
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Action RPG Developer(s) Ska Studios Publisher(s) Ska Studios Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS Vita, PC Powered by Expand CollapseSalt and Sanctuary was one of the first 2D Soulslikes games that really reached wide renown, and with good reason. It's a brutal game, mixed with some Metroidvania elements and a dark, unsettling atmosphere. The sequel, Salt and Sacrifice, builds upon most of this, the muliplayer aspects especially.
In Sanctuary, co-op existed though was a bit of a pain to get functioning. In Sacrifice, the system is dramatically fleshed-out. It is now more akin to the Covenants sytem, though still allowing your co-op partner to remain with you with much less limitations.
3 The Last Oricru
CloseThe Last Oricru is by all means a bizarre game. It's Soulslike elements are by all means present, if a tad underbaked. It's everything else that makes it stand out so much, from the bizarre voice direction to the utterly absurd setting and morality posed by the game. It's something you really must experience to understand.
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PostsTo its credit though, the game is fully built around co-op. In fact, there are even abilities that can only be performed with a co-op partner that greatly open up your tactical options. It's janky by all means, but there's a heart of greta co-op fun in here.
2 Remnant 2
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Soulslike Third-Person Shooter Released July 25, 2023 Developer(s) Gunfire Games Publisher(s) Gearbox Publishing Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by Expand CollapseWith most Soulslike games, the combat tends to be centered around melee combat. That is the blueprint, and the easiest system to adapt for such a risk-reward focused system. Remnant forgoes that entirely, making the combat almost entirely ranged with a massive variety of firearms.
Remnant 2 takes everything the original did to the extreme, though keeps co-op at the heart of the experience. And with a more looter-shooter gear system, you are enticed to engage in the combat as much as possible. So grab a friend and dive in.
1 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
CloseStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Action RPG 4.0/10 Released March 18, 2022 Developer(s) Team Ninja Publisher(s) Square Enix Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by Expand CollapseA Soulslike Final Fantasy game. Really, who would have thought it would succeed? And yet Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins stands as the example that the FF job system is incredibly diverse and adapts quite well to the Soulslike formula. With Team Ninja's combat expertise, it's a visual feast with plenty of tact.
And what defines most Final Fantasy games? its companions, of course. While you have two with you on every mission, they can just as easily be replaced by real players online. You take on the role of Jack's companions, though with all the same powers as you would in your own world. You can even use Phoenix Down to revive each other.
As Jack is the main character, it does mean certain actions, like Finishers, are exclusive to the host.
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