Those looking for something as engaging and entertaining as Elden Ring can turn to some of these games to get their fix.
FromSoftware took a bit of a gamble with Elden Ring. Their Dark Souls series had developed quite the cult following, but there were some out there who were skeptical that the creators could replicate the franchise’s success in an open-world setting. Thankfully, all that skepticism and doubt subsided once the anticipated release hit store shelves. Elden Ring managed to surpass expectations for many, developing its own cult following and standing firm as one of the best titles that FromSoftware has ever created.
It’s a lengthy adventure, and players can spend countless hours exploring the vast reaches of The Lands Between. However, once they have finished the release, the Tarnished might find themselves craving something similar that they can sink their teeth into. Here’s a look at some of the best games with Elden Ring vibes, whether they be open-world style releases, or simply titles that offer players immense challenge and entertainment value. The Dark Souls Series
Those who have played Elden Ring but haven’t yet been through the Dark Souls series need to put it at the top of their list. This is perhaps the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of gameplay and combat, though it’s not nearly as open-world as FromSoftware’s latest offering. That said, the worlds offered in the Dark Souls saga are just as dark, foreboding, and vastly imaginative as some of The Lands Between. Players that enjoy the gritty aesthetic of Elden Ring’s dungeons, castles, and catacombs, will find themselves right at home.
The Dark Souls series pioneered the formula found in Elden Ring, meaning players will already be familiar with the idea of resting at particular areas to level their character up, as well as the weapons and armor systems found throughout each game. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild wasn’t responsible for starting the open-world genre, but it helped to redefine it. Nintendo’s epic adventure showcased Hyrule and all of its inhabitants in an entirely expanded way, letting players experience the world of Link and his trials as they see fit. If someone enjoys the freedom of exploring The Lands Between, they will really enjoy making their way through Nintendo’s massive and unrestricted sandbox. Although the combat in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t nearly as punishing as what’s found in Elden Ring, it can still be pretty challenging.
Tears of the Kingdom, BOTW’s sequel, is not too far removed from its predecessor. The game takes place in the same iteration of Hyrule, albeit one that is in the process of rebuilding itself. Although populated with a few settlements, the open-world is still rather desolate. TOTK is generally a harder game than BOTW, although its fusion system encourages players to experiment with all the tools at their disposal. Shadow Of The Colossus
Many of the bosses found in Elden Ring are imposing and a handful stand as towering giants. Those who love the aesthetic and challenge of fighting these super-sized creatures can turn to Shadow of the Colossus after their Elden Ring adventure. It’s pretty linear, with players taking down colossal creatures in a specific order, but the areas and creatures are gritty, much like the foes found in The Lands Between.
Shadow of the Colossus is much more of a boss gauntlet than an explorative adventure, but players who enjoy learning the ins and outs of combat and striking down towering enemies should enjoy this gem. While Team Ico’s 2005 original is a classic, the 2018 remake is the best entry point for new players. Nioh Series
Team Ninja has been enamored with Soulslikes for the last half a decade, and the developer has produced some of the subgenre’s most memorable and hardest games. While Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an easy recommendation for fans of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the company’s strongest Soulslikes projects are the Nioh games. Both titles are incredible in their own right, and although they are definitely cut from the same cloth, they do have enough differences for them to stand out on their own.
The original Nioh follows William Adams as he goes on a supernatural-laced adventure through the final few years of Feudal Japan. Despite role-playing as a specific samurai, Nioh provides players with a fair amount of customization options when it comes to weapons and Guardian Spirits. Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden background shines through Nioh’s combat, which is considerably more fast-paced than FromSoftware’s typical outings. The sequel builds on many of its predecessor’s strongest features, while also introducing a player-created character.
Nioh does not offer Elden Ring’s open-world or fantastic exploration, but they do deliver fantastic action, deep mechanics that have a steep learning curve, and thrilling boss fights that rank among the best in the Soulslike sphere. Bloodborne
Some of the enemies and NPCs found in Elden Ring are a bit grotesque in their appearance. There are some aspects of The Lands Between that are teeming with otherworldly horrors or afflicted with a sickness of sorts. Although it’s unique in its own right, it’s not the first time that FromSoftware has explored visually unsavory things. The horror-infused aspects of Elden Ring are reminiscent of Bloodborne’s Gothic imagery, another Soulslike release from the developer.
Bloodborne is a much darker release, more akin to Dark Souls in its punishing world design. Players will tangle with a wide array of powerful and horrific bosses as they make their way through corrupted areas filled with gothic architecture. The Middle-earth Series
Those craving another expansive adventure filled with danger can check out the Middle-earth series. In both Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, players will take control of Talion, a Ranger of Gondor, as he embarks on a quest for revenge. The original release is a great setup for Talion’s journey, but Shadow of War introduced a lot of great open-world mechanics, including the Nemesis System. This gameplay add-on will have players developing rivalries with enemies.
The Middle-earth games are dark at times, gritty, and can be challenging depending on what path a player takes. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is solid proof that Indie games can be just as engrossing, challenging, and entertaining as AAA releases. Those looking for a fantastic (and sometimes frustrating) 2D adventure through a dark enemy-filled world should check out this epic from Team Cherry.
