Bloodborne was a hit on the PS4 beyond what Soulslike fans had grown to know and love from the Dark Souls series. It had similar features like saving and leveling up at checkpoints and losing progress upon death. It had a different vibe, though, as it carried a gothic fantasy akin to a Castlevania game if it were made by H.P. Lovecraft.
Bloodborne was only released on the PS4, and while it is playable on PS5s, fans still wanted it ported to other consoles or for it to get a sequel. While fans wait on either of those things to happen, they may as well put stock into waiting on these Soulslikes too, which look like they’re going for similar Bloodborne vibes between art design and gameplay.
Code Vein 2
Time Traveling Vampires
The original Code Vein was released in 2019 and featured vampire-like beings surviving in a post-apocalyptic world, alongside mutated humans who could not handle the blood-infused transformations. Besides the heavy emphasis on blood arts, the always-available AI-controlled co-op partner helped the game stand out.
The sequel, Code Vein 2, features similar gameplay mechanics with an additional twist that hasn’t been fully explained yet, but it seems like time travel will play a role in the game. It’s more anime-influenced than Bloodborne, but they still share aesthetics, and fans can get ahold of it on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2026.
The Duskbloods
A Clear Homage
The Duskbloods is clearly at the forefront of Bloodborne homages, seeing as this one is being made by FromSoftware. When the trailer was shown during the Switch 2 reveal Direct, most fans watching assumed it was a sequel to Bloodborne as it looked similar. The gothic art style, the character and enemy designs, and the general vibe screamed Bloodborne.
The Duskbloods will be a multiplayer-focused game, like Elden Ring Nightreign, except with more of an emphasis on player vs player action. While this Switch 2 exclusive has no date or has received no more updates since its initial reveal, FromSoftware fans are still excited to check this one out.
Mistfall Hunter
Mistfall Hunter is a bit like The Duskbloods because they are both designed around multiplayer. Specifically, the game is an extraction shooter with Soulslike influences. It’s a wild combination for a game, but the game looks truly horrific.
There are big menacing gates, cults worshiping, and plenty of baddies just waiting to be slain. So far, the game is set to release sometime in 2025 on PC and Xbox Series X/S. It’s getting late in the year, so it could get delayed, but that’s anyone’s guess.
Mortal Shell 2
Be A Husk Once More
The first Mortal Shell seems like it came out yesterday, but it was in fact 2021. What made that game unique among other Souslikes was that players could inhabit bodies, which acted a bit like classes in other action RPGs. Mortal Shell 2, set to release sometime in 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, looks like a broad expansion of the idea.
There are bigger creatures, more weapons, and an overall vibe that screams ”Get away from here!” Developer Cold Symmetry proved themselves worthy with the first game, so they are daring fans to check out the sequel and to have a little faith.
Prison Of Husks
If The PS1 Had Bloodborne
- Developer: Glass Head Dolls
- Publisher: Glass Head Dolls
- Platform: PC
One of the coolest movements in indie games has found a number of them being stylized as PS1 titles. Crow Country is a great horror example from 2024. Prison of Husks looks like someone de-made Bloodborne, or a Dark Souls game.
The resolution is poor, but that’s the point of it. Fans can check Prison of Husks right now on Steam for a demo, and right now, it has no release date or full set of platforms beyond the PC. It may be further off than 2026, but this is definitely something to keep an eye on for the visuals alone.
Stonemachia
Chess Anyone?
- Developer: Crossfall Games
- Publisher: Crossfall Games
- Platform: PC
Stonemachia looks like across between LittleBigPlanet and a Soulslike game. All of the characters are based on chess pieces, but they also have a rounded edge to their designs, sort of like the cartoony models of Sackboys in the aforementioned LittleBigPlanet.
Like Prison of Husks, Stonemachia has a demo on Steam without a definitive release window or platform beyond PC. Because of the art style, it may not be as horrific as Bloodborne, but not every game has to look exactly like that classic anyway. Also, as the Little Nightmares series has taught players, looks can be deceiving when it comes to more “kid-friendly” horror games.
Valor Mortis
Give Napoleon A Piece Of Your Mind
Valor Mortis is the most recent game announced as of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live Event. Set to release in 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, this is one of the hottest anticipated titles regardless of genre. The unique take for this one finds an ex-Napoleon soldier in France, facing fellow countrymen and enemies who are now mutated.
What Bloodborne did right was combine more real-world designs into its many areas. Valor Mortis is going one step further and creating an alternate reality with plenty of bullets and swordplay, but also magic. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and BioShock fans may also get a kick out of this one.
#Upcoming #Soulslike #Games #Bloodborne
