Soulslike Games With Better Combat Than Dark Souls

Demon’s Souls walked so that Dark Souls could run. It was a more refined experience and brought FromSoftware even more recognition, which turned into a trilogy of games. At its core, Dark Souls can be described as an action RPG with thoughtful, precise, and brutally difficult combat.
Players can use magic and ranged weapons, but at its core, Dark Souls thrives as a melee combat game. As much as fans love it, it’s not the most complicated combat system in the world. There are more fluid action games out there, even some by FromSoftware themselves. While these Soulslikes may not be better than Dark Souls overall, they have more rewarding action and gameplay systems.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a one-off, so far, made by FromSoftware, but it is unlike the rest of their games. Instead of a fantasy RPG, the game is set in feudal Japan. Combat is much more fluid and active, which makes sense given that the hero, nicknamed Wolf, is a ninja.
Players can attack with Wolf's katana or use their prosthetic arm for different attacks, like a flamethrower or a massive axe. Then there's the parry system, which is extremely precise and essential for building up an enemy's stagger meter before landing a killing blow. Movement also helps combat flow better, from dodges to Wolf’s grappling hook. The only downside is that without the RPG elements, it’s infinitely harder than the rest of FromSoftware’s games.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a reimagining of the original Final Fantasy, going back to the Warriors of Light, elemental crystals, Garland, Chaos, and more. Also, it’s a Soulslike game with a partner system and a Job system. The Job system is a big reason why the game's combat is so great, as players can constantly switch things up without ever feeling the weight of grinding as much as they will in Dark Souls. Players can become mages, warriors, samurai, ninjas, and more, which changes up skill and weapon selections.
The finisher moves, no matter the Job, are some of the coolest in any Soulslike and perhaps in games in general, as turning enemies into crystals and then smashing them never gets old. The addition of two party members also helps lighten the load of enemies in dungeons, making Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin a good Soulslike for beginners.
Hollow Knight: Silksong has a better combat system than its predecessor and Dark Souls. The Knight in the original game was slow-moving and didn’t have a quick flow to his combat, whereas Hornet in Hollow Knight: Silksong is much faster. Thanks to the different Crests she can equip, combat can change throughout the game, too.
Some Crests will make Hornet's swings slower and stronger, while others could quicken her swipes but reduce their range. A new addition to combat is traps and tools, which can range from spikes to a literal gun. While the game is challenging, it does feel better to control than most Soulslikes in general.
Nioh is a samurai game with a Soulslike edge. It is slightly inspired by history, as the protagonist, William Adams, was a notable figure. He didn’t fight demons in Japan, but stylistic liberties aside, the action in the game is stellar. Between the game's various melee weapons, players can change their stance mid-battle, which alters their attack patterns, adding a bit more strategy to confrontations.
Beyond weapons, players can also befriend spirit animals that allow them to cast various spells during combat, adding just one more layer to freshen up the genre. It’s still a challenging Soulslike, but the varying paths, magic, stances, and overall movement speed help Nioh be a slightly more accessible game than Dark Souls.
Comparing Dark Souls, or most Soulslikes, to Remnant 2 and its predecessor may seem unfair. While there are melee attacks, the game is more of a shooter than a hack-and-slash RPG. The ranged combat helps it stand out, but it’s by no means an easy game, and it's definitely part of the Soulslike genre.
Players can gather various guns and other ranged weapons, tweak their arsenal, and then go to town on grotesque mutants in a post-apocalyptic setting. Classes have powers, so the game is not all about bullets. For anyone looking to go beyond blades, Remnant 2 is a good Soulslike to check out.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a Soulslike set in China, sort of like a harder version of Dynasty Warriors. Like many Soulslikes, counters are a big part of combat, and it is easier to counter in the game than in Dark Souls. It takes practice, but once the secret is unlocked, players will become one with their character.
Players will feel more like a martial artist than a clunky knight, no matter their weapon, in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Another big part of combat is the partner system, controlled by AI, which helps lessen the blow of some of the stronger areas if players can’t get together with friends.
Another Crab's Treasure looks like an inviting Soulslike for kids, and while it is cute, the game does not hold back in its difficulty. As a crab who lost their shell, players will have to find new homes for their hero, Kril, by using various new types of gear to keep them safe. Each new “shell” players find has a power attached, like a Coconut that will let players roll around or a Soda Can that can unleash a fizzy attack.
Adding attacks to what equates to the game’s defensive gear was an interesting idea that added a lot to the standard Soulslike melee combat. Because this game takes place underwater, and Kril is a crab, they’re a lot more fluid in their natural habitat. Overall, the shell-based powers and movement system are what make Another Crab's Treasure better as an action game.