Are you through with Elden Ring and looking for an alternative? Or are you playing on the Switch and still want to play something similar? Then we have a list of games for you to check out.
Elden Ring offers a unique blend of an open world, challenging gameplay, dozens of interesting bosses, and hundreds of fun weapons. There is no exact copy of this successful formula on the market yet.
The enormous success of the action RPG from FromSoftware will likely inspire many future games strongly. However, if you are already looking for a good alternative to Elden Ring and have already played the best predecessors, you should check out one of these games.
None of these games is an exact copy of Elden Ring, but they make parts of the overall package just as good or even better. We’ll tell you which of these games you should check out and for what reasons.
If you want to refresh your gameplay in Elden Ring a bit, you can try the crazy Bubble build:
Nioh 2 (Steam, PS4, PS5) – Fantastic combat system for loot fans
Nioh 2 is the most direct imitator of the Souls formula on this list. But that is not a criticism, quite the opposite: This game from the creators of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive has, like Elden Ring, a third-person perspective, some weapons, many tough bosses, and a comparable leveling system with resources that you lose upon dying multiple times.
What sets Nioh 2 apart from Elden Ring is the combat system – some even find it better than that in the Souls games. The battles in Nioh 2 are significantly faster than in Elden Ring, and with numerous weapon classes that are played very differently, you can really let loose.
The complex and spectacular combos that require a lot of skill with the stance and stamina system are reminiscent of games like Devil May Cry. Together with a difficulty that is on par with the Souls games, the battles in Nioh 2 regularly provide a lot of heart-pounding moments and huge cheers.
The whole experience is further garnished with a loot system that reveals its full depth, especially with repeated playthroughs. Nioh 2 has somewhat boring, linear levels instead of an open world, but the shorter missions can easily be replayed to perfect your build.
Hollow Knight (Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) – Outstanding 2D fun for explorers in single-player
If you engage in gaming forums and similar discussion places, you keep hearing the same thing: Hollow Knight is among the best games ever released. Anyone who plays the game quickly realizes where this reputation comes from.
This 2D sidescroller with beautiful cartoon graphics is an incredibly good blend of Metroidvania and Soulslike. So if you love exploring the world in Elden Ring, you will fully enjoy Hollow Knight.
Because Hollow Knight gives you almost no hints about what you should do next, you explore this fantastic world entirely on your own. You will find new abilities typical of Metroidvania that unlock additional areas and also make the battles more complex.
However, if you played Elden Ring for the multiplayer, you will be disappointed with Hollow Knight. The game can only be played in single-player. Even if you are looking for a 3D perspective or want to play many builds, you will not find that in Hollow Knight.
Salt and Sanctuary (Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch) & Salt and Sacrifice (PS4, PS5, Epic Games) – 2D Soulslike with local coop
Depending on which platform you play on, we recommend two games in one: Salt and Sanctuary or its sequel, Salt and Sacrifice.
- Salt and Sanctuary is available on Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Switch.
- Salt and Sacrifice on PS4, PS5, and currently on PC via Epic Games.
Like Hollow Knight, these games are 2D games, but they are much more clearly recognizable as Soulslikes. This is partly due to the death mechanics, a variety of build options, or boss and level design.
What makes the Salt games particularly special is the ability to play locally in coop. In Salt and Sanctuary, this is possible with another friend, while in Salt and Sacrifice even up to a total of 3 people on the couch.
Remnant: From The Ashes (Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox) – Post-apocalyptic shooter-souls
If you enjoy playing the Souls series games, but are also thrilled by shooter gameplay, Remnant is an excellent choice. Because this dark game combines the best elements of Soulsborne games with fast-paced shooter gameplay.
The setting is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi environment, and with each new reset of your story, the worlds are regenerated. The result is a often completely different player experience with new weapons, armor, and abilities. Thus, the game also has a high replay value.
Similar to Elden Ring, you can play the game coop with up to two friends, with the damage values adjusting flexibly to an average of all your levels. However, Remnant has no PvP, even if you can shoot down your coop partners.
Monster Hunter World (Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox) and Monster Hunter Rise (Steam, Switch) – Similar challenges, completely different gameplay
Mentioning the “Monster Hunter” games may seem controversial at first glance, but there are good reasons for it. Because although Elden Ring and Monster Hunter differ greatly, they test similar gameplay skills.
In Monster Hunter, you select individual missions where you hunt boss-like monsters. For this, you can choose from one of 14 weapon types that significantly differ from each other. The goal is to repeatedly kill these monsters to get parts from them for better equipment.
Monster Hunter lacks some of the most well-known Soulsborne features such as the death mechanics or the mysterious way of telling an interesting story.
However, if you primarily play Elden Ring to smash interesting boss foes with heavy, mechanically demanding weapons, you will find yourself well served by Monster Hunter. This is especially true if you prefer to do so in coop.
The community often debates whether World or Rise is the better game. We recommend making this choice mainly based on your favorite platform, or to align with your friends. After all, there is no crossplay in Monster Hunter.
- Monster Hunter World (with expansion “Iceborn”) is available on Steam, PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
- Monster Hunter Rise (with upcoming expansion “Sunbreak”) is available on Steam and Switch.
What do you think of this game selection? Do you have an alternative to Elden Ring that you particularly like? Do you know of games that you would strongly advise like-minded people against? Let us know in the comments.
If you think you really know everything about Elden Ring, you should try our expert quiz. Because only those who truly know every detail of the Lands Between inside out will shine here:
Do you believe you know Elden Ring by heart? Prove it in our super tough quiz
