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10 Greatest Soulslike Video Games of All Time
Collider ranks the greatest soulslike video games, highlighting a genre defined by demanding combat, stamina management, evasive movement, dark settings and meaningful penalties for defeat. The article argues that the strongest entries combine these conventions with polished design, distinctive worlds and lasting influence, whether made by major studios or independent developers.
Among the games discussed are 2025’s *The First Berserker: Khazan* at number 10, praised for its fast, aggressive combat, and *Hollow Knight* at number nine, recognised as a melancholic metroidvania with soulslike elements. *Dark Souls* is placed eighth for establishing the genre’s foundational formula, while *Star Wars Jedi: Survivor* is seventh; the ranking is based on gameplay, originality, narrative, visuals, critical reception and fan opinion.
In short
- Collider ranks ten major soulslike games.
- Dark Souls is credited with defining the genre.
- Indie and blockbuster games both feature.
Explained simply
Soulslike games are a video game genre characterised by demanding combat, careful resource management and dark atmospheres where failure carries meaningful consequences. The term comes from Dark Souls, an influential 2011 game that established this design template, which countless developers have since adopted and adapted for their own creations.
The genre has grown from a niche interest into a significant influence on game design, with both major studios and independent developers now creating soulslike titles. The gaming community engages in ongoing discussions about which games best exemplify the genre's core principles and represent the highest standards of design and storytelling.