10 Games Like Elden Ring You Need to Play
Love Elden Ring's open-world exploration and punishing combat? Here are 10 games that scratch the same itch, from dark fantasy RPGs to challenging action adventures.
If you've conquered the Lands Between and are hungry for more, you're not alone. Elden Ring blends open-world freedom with the tight, punishing combat FromSoftware is known for — a combination that's hard to find elsewhere.
We dug into the Gameplay DNA of Elden Ring and found games that share its core traits: exploration-driven progression, high-stakes combat, and deep lore hidden in the world itself. Here are 10 games worth your time.
1. Dark Souls III
The obvious pick, but for good reason. Dark Souls III is FromSoftware at their most refined before Elden Ring. The combat is faster than its predecessors, the boss fights are spectacular, and the interconnected world design rewards exploration at every turn.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Punishing combat, build variety, cryptic lore, and the satisfaction of finally beating that boss after 40 attempts.
2. Baldur's Gate 3
A surprising entry, but hear us out. Baldur's Gate 3 shares Elden Ring's DNA in ways that matter: a massive world full of secrets, multiple approaches to every problem, and a sense that the game trusts you to figure things out on your own.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Exploration freedom, build diversity, hidden areas and secrets, meaningful player choice.
3. Dragon's Dogma 2
Capcom's open-world action RPG leans heavily into the same fantasy adventure feel. The combat is dynamic and class-based, the world is genuinely dangerous, and the pawn system adds a layer of strategy that keeps things fresh.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Open-world exploration, challenging combat encounters, class-based builds, dark fantasy tone.
4. Hollow Knight
Swap the 3D open world for a 2D underground kingdom, and the DNA is remarkably similar. Hollow Knight is exploration-driven, brutally challenging, and tells its story through the environment rather than cutscenes.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Exploration-based progression, tough boss fights, environmental storytelling, interconnected world.
5. Nioh 2
Team Ninja took the Soulslike formula and injected it with lightning-fast combat and deep RPG mechanics. The yokai-shifting system and stance-based combat give it a distinct identity while hitting many of the same notes as Elden Ring.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Demanding combat, deep build customization, boss-focused progression, loot variety.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
While less punishing in combat, The Witcher 3 matches Elden Ring's sense of a living, breathing world full of stories to discover. If the exploration and lore are what hooked you, this is essential.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Open-world exploration, rich lore, side content that rivals the main quest, atmospheric world design.
7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Another FromSoftware title, but Sekiro trades RPG breadth for combat depth. The posture-based parry system is one of the most rewarding combat mechanics in gaming — once it clicks, nothing else feels the same.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Precision combat, challenging bosses, interconnected exploration, FromSoftware-quality world design.
8. Monster Hunter: World
If Elden Ring's boss fights are what keep you coming back, Monster Hunter is a natural fit. Every hunt is a boss encounter, combat is deep and weapon-specific, and the progression loop of "fight, craft, fight harder things" is deeply satisfying.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Boss-focused gameplay, weapon variety, build crafting, cooperative multiplayer.
9. Blasphemous 2
A 2D action-platformer steeped in dark religious imagery with tight, demanding combat. The world is interconnected, secrets are everywhere, and the boss fights will test your patience and skill.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Dark fantasy setting, challenging combat, exploration rewards, grotesque and beautiful art direction.
10. Lies of P
A Soulslike set in a Belle Epoque city overrun by puppets. It wears its inspirations on its sleeve but executes them well — the weapon assembly system and guard/parry mechanics give it a satisfying identity of its own.
What it shares with Elden Ring: Soulslike combat, build variety, atmospheric world, challenging boss encounters.
Want to see exactly how these games compare? Check out the Elden Ring Gameplay DNA page to see the traits that define it, and browse similar games ranked by shared DNA.