When it comes to hard games, the brain immediately thinks of games like Dark Souls. People who have no idea what From Software games are still hear about them, and that’s only because of the infamy surrounding them. Over the years, many developers have looked at the formula, which led to the creation of Soulslike games, because a surprising number of you are suckers for punishment (the same, honestly).
That said, we understand that not everyone is a masochist, which is why we have a list of the best Lego games , basic games , Mario games , and Disney games that will make you walk on sunshine. Or, if you like survival horror, our picks for the best Resident Evil games for Switch are a must-have.
Now let’s move on to the best games similar to Dark Souls on Switch.
Salt and Sanctuary
When we think of Switch Souls-likes, the first game that comes to mind is Salt and Sanctuary. It has everything you would expect, from the bleak environments, to the melee combat, to the array of enemies that are ready to ruin your day. In essence, Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D Dark Souls, and yes, that means it has a ton of enemies similar to the Dark Souls bosses.
While some are basic, others will leave you feeling so salty that you’ll soon seek refuge elsewhere. Still, the challenge is rewarding and this is a perfect game for anyone who craves something similar to the experiences found in Lordran.
Open it
If bosses are your thing in Dark Souls, Furi is a must-have, because that’s all the game is about. No running through forests or crawling through dungeons. Instead, this hack ‘n’ slash, shoot ’em up hybrid is all about boss fights. No more fighting your way through hordes of enemies, only to fall off a ledge and repeat the entire area.
The gameplay itself is fun, and considering it offers both melee and ranged combat, you can constantly change up your approach to the fights. The game also has two endings, which increases its replayability factor, and there are also a few DLC fighters to check out!
Empty Knight
We’d argue that this Metroidvania is one of the best titles on Switch. In Hollow Knight, you set out on a journey as the nameless hero and must explore Hallownest while uncovering the secrets that lie within its lands. This 2D game beautifully adopts the Souls-like formula, with your paths full of enemies and powerful bosses looking to ruin your day.
As you go, you’ll unlock fresh abilities, adding even more depth to what’s already a phenomenal game. If you need facilitate taking on the powerful enemies in Hallownest, our comprehensive Hollow Knight boss guide has some great tips on how to deal with them. However, if you do try out this amazing game and like it, you can keep an eye on our Hollow Knight: Silksong release date guide to find out everything you need to know about the sequel.
Dead cells
If you like a challenge, we highly recommend this rogue-like game. Much like Dark Souls, luck can only get you so far in Dead Cells. Instead, you have to learn from your mistakes until you finally beat the game in one go. Of course, it features intense combat sequences that are sure to test even the most determined.
On the other hand, if you like Dark Souls, you’ve probably seen the words “you died” so many times that death doesn’t bother you anymore – it’s just another obstacle to overcome. Plus, the game is full of bosses, and that in itself is enough to attract Souls veterans.
Blasphemous
Here’s another Metroidvania that takes you to a gothic land as a quiet knight on a pilgrimage. Blasphemous is especially worth playing if you’re looking for a game that embraces gore while showing how grotesquely handsome it can be.
The world here is as well designed as the enemies you can find there, and that goes for the bosses as well. It will be bloody, but that only adds to the intensity you feel, the need to stand elevated when all is said and done. It’s either do or die. Do you have what it takes?
The oldest souls
If you take the combat and bosses of Dark Souls and combine them with the god-slaying fun of the God of War series, you get Eldest Souls. In this game, you set out on a journey as a lone knight. A lone individual, armed with nothing but a sword, on a quest to put an end to the gods and bring peace to the land.
If you’re a fan of Souls games, this is an unforgettable experience – and remember, fortune favors the brave. Don’t be afraid to leave everything you have on the battlefield. In fact, it may be your only chance to survive.
Death Gambit: The Afterlife
Not only does this 2D game boast handsome pixel art graphics, but its gameplay is clearly inspired by Dark Souls, making it a must-have title for fans of Souls-like and Metroidvania games.
You’ll need to fight your way through a series of levels, using RPG elements to facilitate you achieve victory over all manner of enemies, including several powerful bosses. Trust us. Only the strongest will survive this gambit. If you’ve played the original but haven’t tried Afterlife yet, we suggest you fix that, as it’s packed with fresh levels, weapons, and bosses.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Oh, don’t be so shocked. Anyone who’s traveled through this handsome version of Hyrule can tell you the developers took a few combat lessons from medieval RPGs. The whole approach to combat in Breath of the Wild reeks of From Software, and that’s to its credit. It makes for a really fun experience. While the world may be immense and dull, the combat isn’t, so you should feel right at home here.
If you’re diving into this open-world gem, you can check out our guides to the Zelda BotW map and the BotW recipe book . And if you’re looking to learn more, check out our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review , then head over to our guides to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom armor , Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shrines , and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom koroks to get a feel for the incredible sequel.
If you’re interested in games more akin to Link’s adventures, check out our lists of the best Zelda-like games and the best Zelda games here.
Another crab treasure
It’s like Souls, but with a crab. What more can I say? In Another Crab’s Treasure, you play as Kril, a hermit crab that collects trash from the ocean floor to wear as a protective shell.
Uncover the secrets of the polluted depths as you fend off enemies two to three times your size. You can also learn a range of special skills from your fellow deep-dwellers.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Is this cheating? Probably, but it’s my list, so these are my rules. Either way, you can’t get any closer to the Dark Souls experience than playing Dark Souls: Remastered. It’s the perfect way to experience the game that started it all. Visit Lordan in its finest glory, choose your class, choose your weapon, and fulfill your duty as the chosen undead.
There are many dangers lurking, and of course, there are plenty of bosses to contend with. If you cower in the face of such power, perhaps our Dark Souls bosses guide will give you the strength you need to move forward and complete this genre-defining experience.
We also have several guides for different characters, such as Gwyndoln from Dark Souls, Artorias from Dark Souls, Ornstein from Dark Souls, and Sif from Dark Souls. Read them to learn more about the inhabitants of this world.
