Suppose you’ve wanted to try the Soulslike genre and are putting it off because of the grim and terrifying medieval fantasy art style featured in the more popular titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls. In that case, you’re in the right place because Steam also has a variety of standout titles that offer the same challenging gameplay and deep lore but with cute and charming visuals. Today, we list five must-try cutesy Soulslike games to get you started with the genre!
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Nine Sols
Nine Sols blends old Asian Taoist cultures with the futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic. Its hand-drawn scenes make a fantastic world that looks both ancient and high-tech, a perfect backdrop when playing as the sword-wielding Yi, a Solarian on his quest to save the humans from the sinister schemes of his race. Nine Sols follows Yi’s journey to uncover ancient truths about forgotten deities through a refreshing mix of mysticism and technology.
The game is also punishing and satisfying, with a combat system centred on perfectly executed parries. It uses a ” Chi ” system that allows you to use talismans to add explosions after an attack. Nine Sols also features Jades that give your Yi all sorts of unique traits, allowing for personalized fighting styles.
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Death’s Door
Death’s Door features a unique medley of charm and gloominess, with minimalist art and detailed environments that highlight the contrast between life and death. The combat is fluid, combining hack-and-slash mechanics with ranged attacks and magic, emphasizing timing and movement. While the difficulty ramps up during boss encounters, it feels balanced and fair, offering satisfying moments of mastery. The story follows a soul-reaping crow on a mission to retrieve a stolen soul, exploring themes of death, purpose, and existence in a surprisingly emotional narrative.
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Tunic
At first look, Tunic charms with its pastel art style and a cute, fox-like protagonist, but beneath its charming exterior lies a world filled with cryptic secrets and challenging combat. The game uses intricate puzzles and cryptic texts to tell its story, requiring a bit of exploration and detective work from the player. The soundtrack by Lifeformed adds to the game’s mysterious vibe, providing a soothing yet enigmatic backdrop to your journey.
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Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight offers a deeply immersive experience with stunning hand-drawn visuals depicting a dark and eerie world. The soundtrack, composed by Christopher Larkin, is atmospheric and haunting, perfectly matching the game’s mood and moments of solitude. Hollow Knight is notorious for its extreme difficulty, particularly in its intricate boss fights that require precise timing and skillful movement. Its combat is tight and responsive, blending aerial maneuvers with various magical abilities to create a rewarding experience.
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Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights catches the eye with its sad, hand-painted anime art style that depicts a scary and dark fantasy world. The game lets you play as Lily, the last surviving priestess in a forgotten kingdom devastated by the Rain of Death, an endless rain that transforms living things into the undead. As the player, your task is to use Lily’s powers to cleanse the land’s spirits and summon them in battle to uncover the Rain of Death’s secrets.
Like Hollow Knight and Nine Sols, the game uses two-dimensional side-scrolling gameplay but with less punishing combat. The difficulty ramps up during boss fights, however, and it delivers a truly epic experience when paired with Mili’s haunting score.
Each of these games adds a unique flavour to the Soulslike genre, whether through their fascinating art styles, rewarding combat mechanics, or the stories they tell. Are you up for a challenge? Dive into these games’ deeply immersive worlds by topping up your Steam Wallet with Codashop’s fast and secure payment options!
