[Top 10] Games Like Bloodborne (Games Better Than Bloodborne In Their Own Way)

Bloodborne is a console defining masterpiece and is what most people call a ’system seller’. What this term means is that Bloodborne was so good and so popular with its release that those people that didn’t own a Playstation 4 would often buy one just so they could play Bloodborne. 

This was also because it was the latest release in Fromsoftware’s critically acclaimed Souls Series which has a massive fanbase, meaning that many people wanted to play it regardless of the console it was on. This is an essential part of Bloodborne’s legacy, a game that was a PS4 exclusive and was so good that people who didn’t own one would buy the console just to play it.

However, there is only a finite amount of times that you can play a game through to its entirety. Upon completing Bloodborne, many players realized that there was a spark of an interest in an entirely new genre of games and had left many players wanting to play more of it, but with a fresh perspective.

So, the following is a list of games that scratch that itch that is left in gamers after completing Bloodborne. Some games have similar gameplay, some have similar world building and some have similar story elements and though none of them are actually Bloodborne, they can certainly leave you feeling satisfied if you want more Bloodborne-like experiences!

 

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - 2019 (PS5, PS4, XSX, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia)

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Is there any better way to kick off this list? Sekiro is the follow-up release by Fromsoftware after Bloodborne and was met with universal acclaim. Though all of Fromsoftware’s ‘souls games’ are eligible in this list, the top spot has to go to Sekiro because of the fact that it took the main gameplay philosophy of fast and aggressive combat from Bloodborne and took it to another level.

Aggression and speed are the name of the game in Sekiro. The evolution of Bloodborne’s gameplay (specifically the rally mechanic) made way for the deflect system that is used in Sekiro, which is far and away one of the most addictive gameplay ever.

Gameplay aside, Sekiro is very much like Bloodborne because of the super challenging difficulty, the vague and cryptic storytelling and the general vibe that make the fabled lands of Ashina well worth a visit.

 

Choose Sekiro if you like:

A Fascinating World: the lands of Ashina are great and mysterious, filled to the brim with secrets and mysteries

Rewarding Gameplay: the gameplay is super difficult, but once you get the hang of it, the feeling is incredible and unlike anything else

Epic Bosses: Sekiro has a bunch of incredible boss fights all using the same gameplay tactics as you to give an incredible, cinematic feel to each enemy encounter

 

2. Dark Souls Series - 2011, 2014, 2016 (PS5, PS4, XSX, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch)

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Perhaps this is another cop out answer but one that still remains true. The Dark Souls games are the progenitor for Bloodborne, and the many things that we like about Bloodborne are things that this series originally introduced.

All 3 games have their specific strengths over each other, but the series is widely seen as being one thing. DS1 has the most interconnected and consistent world (first half, at least), DS2 has very good online play elements and atmosphere and DS3 has the best gameplay and overall matches the vibe most with Bloodborne.

Bloodborne also shares its boss fight philosophy with the DS series, specifically DS3, which takes the best elements of much of what Bloodborne does and perfects it, making this series the best one to go to if you just want more Bloodborne!

 

Choose the Dark Souls Series if you like:

An Eerie Atmosphere: this series matches the overall vibe of Bloodborne very well and always makes you feel as if you’re being watched or are in constant danger

Ominous Storytelling: the way that the story is told and presented to you is exactly what you want and expect from Fromsoftware and Bloodborne

Great Gameplay: expert and tight gameplay mechanics that are addictive and make you  want to keep playing

 

3. Hollow Knight - 2017 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch)

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Hollow Knight is widely considered to be one of the best Metroid-vania titles around, and is easily the most popular Metroid-vania Soulslike ever. It takes the simple, platforming gameplay of the traditional Metroid-vania genre and adds the challenging combat and epic boss fights that the Souls games are known for.

This game is very charming and seems like simple fun initially, but when players play more and get to the heart of the experience, it is such a pleasant surprise to find this game to be one of the best gaming experiences you’ve had!

 

Choose Hollow Knight if you like:

Metroid-vania Soulslike’s: Hollow Knight is the quintessential platformer with challenging gameplay and memorable bosses

 

Great Platforming: the platforming in this game is among the best in the genre

Engaging Combat: a fleshed out combat system which is really fun to learn and eventually master

Fun Bosses: very engaging and fun boss fights that have steep learning curves

 

4. Nioh Series - 2017 (PS5, PS4, PC)

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Nioh is one of the most underrated releases of the previous console generation. This PS4 exclusive was released in 2017 and was a breath of fresh air, not only for the industry, but also for the Soulsborne genre of games, where it added its own brand of flashiness and verticality. This was a move that was not exactly expounded upon in the Souls series.

Though the system of ‘bonfires’ is originally from Dark Souls, the Ki system of the game makes the overall package play more closer to Bloodbrne. It is very similar to Bloodborne’s rally mechanic in that it encourages aggression and is used to maintain momentum in combat.

The combat is very fast paced and nuanced, something that every Bloodborne fan on the planet will feel right at home with.

 

Choose Nioh if you like:

Fast-paced Gameplay: this game has very aggressive combat that encourages the player to keep the aggression in a fight

Deep Combat: the combat has many sub-mechanics, such as different styles for different opponents and the Ki system that makes the combat more engaging

Engaging Story: the story of this game is very rich in both substance and lore

 

5. Jedi: Fallen Order - 2019 (PS5, PS4, XSX, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia)

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Jedi: Fallen Order was a great surprise that we were all super happy to see do as well as it did. The focus of the game was exploration and a fun and engaging combat system that was really fun to play around with.. The most basic form of this combat was fun as it is, but kept getting better with all the new skills we eventually unlocked.

The entire point of the combat was to have it be more Soulslike, with it requiring the player to spend time and really learn it. These vary from unlocking an additional jump, to new force abilities, to longer and double bladed lightsabers!

Where it shines most as a Soulslike is definitely in the combat, but also in surprisingly great and intricate level design that connects many previous areas of a map to later parts. The story is very different from the Souls games in the sense it is not vague and is told straight as you progress, but it’s still a great story that will make every Star Wars fan happy.

 

Choose Jedi: Fallen Order if you like:

Diverse And Beautiful Maps: the main story and side quests of the game take you to many diverse and beautiful worlds that are all well made but all have different and unique aesthetics

Great Combat: greatly nuanced combat that is fun to play around with and mixes force abilities with lightsaber combat

Great Story: a captivating story that takes place after Star Wars Episode 3 and the purge of the Jedi, with many twists and turns

Likable Characters: a colorful cast of likable characters that you really grow to love

Star Wars: this game is a love letter to every Star Wars fan and should really be shown to all who love the movies 

 

6. Remnant: From The Ashes - 2019 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch)

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Remnant is a game that brings something new and exciting to the Soulslike genre, in that it is an extremely challenging and highly rewarding third-person shooter. This brings all the elements that we have come to love of the Souls games but also adds strategic, over the shoulder shooter combat which is a great new way to mix up the kind of gameplay we have come to love.

Another cool feature that makes this game more similar to Bloodborne is the fact that some aspects of the world map are procedurally generated. This is just like the chalice dungeons! This coupled with great co-op gameplay makes the entire experience of fighting difficult bosses much more manageable.

Remnant: From The Ashes is a great pick if you want a game that plays similar to Bloodborne but in a new and refreshing way and also borrows some cool features from it.

 

Choose Remnant: from The Ashes if you like:

Tight Gameplay: this game offers really cohesive gameplay that requires efficient timing and combat skills

A New Spin On Soulslike: a third-person shooter set in a Soulslike world and has challenging difficulty

Fun Online Play: a consistently good online feature that works very well and makes the game much more manageable

Unique Areas: many places in the game path are procedurally generated, meaning you get a new experience each time you visit them which always keeps you engaged

 

7. Dead Cells - 2018 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS)

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Yet another great Metroid-vania Soulslike that is an incredible game from start to finish. It was really unfortunate that a lot of the PR that the game had was due to the negativity surrounding one of its reviews, but the actual product itself was amazing and well worth a visit.

The roguelike aspects of the gameplay are integrated very well, making each run through the game feel fresh and well worth playing. Just like the other games in the genre, this game is not at all easy. The challenge of the game is really intense but it really greatly rewards those players who spend time actually learning the mechanics properly.

 

Choose Dead Cells if you like:

Roguelikes: Dead Cells is the perfect game to play if you want a Roguelike that is similar in atmosphere and gameplay to Bloodborne

A Good Challenge: the learning curve of this game is steep and difficult to master but is very rewarding upon learning

Replayability: the roguelike genre really emphasizes replayability, making each run feel fresh

 

8. Salt And Sanctuary - 2016 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita)

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The souls series is very often linked with the Metroidvania genre and has been since the first game came out in 2011. This is because the exploration, level design and platforming mechanics are very similar.s. Enter Salt and Sanctuary, a 2-D platformer that has very similar, fast paced and aggressive combat to Bloodborne.

It should also be noted that this game is even faster than Bloodborne thanks to its Metroid-vania elements. Other than that, it also has a very tense, dark and mysterious atmosphere, combined with tight level design that make it very similar to Bloodborne in terms of aesthetic.

 

Choose Salt And Sanctuary if you like:

Bloodborne-like Atmosphere: this game has a very dark and ominous vibe to the levels which is a lot like Bloodborne

Fast And Aggressive Combat: the Metroidvania influences in this game give it a very fast-paced and aggressive flow of combat

Intricate Level Design And Platforming: the levels are expertly made and connect to each other very well

 

9. Code Vein - 2019 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

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This game greatly depends on whether you like anime or not. This game takes much of the similar mechanics and game philosophies as Bloodborne, but it presents them in a flashy and anime aesthetic. Just like the other games, this too has fast combat and challenging difficulty, but the real appeal of this game is the customization.

Players can choose their classes on the fly by switching between different kinds of characters and experimenting with different kinds of buildsl. The narrative and storytelling in Code Vein is much different to Bloodborne but it focuses on character interactions. This game is essentially similar combat to Bloodborne, but with a lot more player freedom and exploration.

 

Choose Code Vein if you like:

Anime: this game appeals to all those who like anime and JRPG’s

Freedom of Builds: allows for the player to experiment with many different builds and aspects of gameplay

Emphasis On Exploration: allows for a great deal of exploration

 

10. Lords Of The Fallen - 2014 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android)

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This game is a lot like Bloodborne in terms of combat, but significantly slower. This game came out in 2014, making it one of the very first Soulslike games outside of the established Souls series itself. Hell, it came out even before Bloodborne itself!

What really sets this game apart from its contemporaries is the fact that it features a vast array of weapons that you can use at any pointin the game. The general vibe is very dark and foreboding just like Bloodborne so it should make many players feel right at home!

 

Choose Lords of the Fallen if you like: 

Dark Atmosphere: this game has a very dark tone which is essential for a game like Bloodborne

Fighting Unique Enemies and Bosses: there is a great variety of enemies and bosses that come in all shapes and sizes

Using different Weapons and Playstyles: this game allows you to use many different weapons in your journey