10 Souls-Like Games on Game Pass (Available in October 2024)

Souls-Like Games You Can Play on Game Pass Right Now

If you love a challenge, souls-like games are probably on your radar. These games offer tough, strategic combat, eerie atmospheres, and stories you have to dig for. Luckily, Game Pass is loaded with some great options this October. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned player, this list is packed with titles that will test your skills and patience. Let’s head directly to the top souls-like games you can play on Game Pass as of October 2024.

Key takeaway: Souls-like games are tough but rewarding. If you’re up for the challenge, these titles on Game Pass will deliver gripping experiences.

Reader’s Digest

• Available Now: All these games are part of the Xbox Game Pass library in October 2024.
• Genre Staples: Expect brutal combat, deep lore, and expansive, detailed worlds in each game.
• High Replay Value: Many of these titles have multiple endings and encourage replay through their challenging gameplay.

1. Lies of P

One of the freshest souls-like games on Game Pass, Lies of P gives a dark twist to the classic Pinocchio tale. You play as a mechanical puppet in a nightmarish, steampunk world filled with terrifying creatures.

• Gameplay: Fast-paced combat where timing and dodging are essential. Lies of P offers a mix of melee and ranged weapons, along with the unique ability to craft and customize your arsenal.
• Why Play It: If you enjoy Bloodborne and dark, gothic settings, this game will draw you in with its rich atmosphere and punishing difficulty.

2. Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell is perfect for players who want a souls-like experience but don’t have the time for a lengthy, 100-hour commitment. It’s shorter but still packed with the intense combat and strategic depth fans expect from the genre. The game’s unique “shell” mechanic allows players to inhabit the bodies of fallen warriors, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

• Gameplay: Tactical combat where dodging and precise timing are critical. The ability to switch shells gives you flexibility in battle, offering a unique layer of strategy.
• Why Play It: It’s a concise souls-like with a focus on thoughtful combat, making it ideal for players who want a challenging but digestible experience.

3. Hollow Knight

Though it leans more toward the Metroidvania genre, Hollow Knight shares a lot of souls-like DNA. The game features a sprawling, interconnected world filled with challenging enemies, dark lore, and difficult boss battles.

• Gameplay: Explore a beautifully hand-drawn world while mastering tight combat mechanics. There’s also an upgrade system that lets you improve your abilities and discover new combat strategies.
• Why Play It: For those who love exploration and deep lore, Hollow Knight offers one of the best atmospheres and narratives in gaming, all while delivering souls-like difficulty.

4. Remnant: From the Ashes

Remnant: From the Ashes brings a fresh spin to the souls-like genre by adding firearms to the mix. It’s a third-person shooter with procedurally generated levels, but it still retains the challenging combat and deep atmosphere that souls-like games are known for.

• Gameplay: A combination of ranged and melee combat. Co-op gameplay lets you team up with friends, and the randomization of levels keeps things interesting on every run.
• Why Play It: If you enjoy souls-like games but want to try something with a mix of shooting and melee, Remnant offers a fresh take on the genre.

5. Eldest Souls

For players who enjoy boss battles more than exploration, Eldest Souls is a must-try. The game is a boss-rush souls-like that strips away all distractions, focusing purely on high-stakes, intense combat.

• Gameplay: Each encounter is a boss fight. The game’s design is tight and focused, making every battle a test of skill and endurance.
• Why Play It: If you love a challenge and want a distilled, no-nonsense approach to the souls-like formula, Eldest Souls will keep you on your toes.

6. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty blends fast-paced action with the punishing difficulty of a souls-like game. Set in ancient China, it offers a mix of magic, melee combat, and rich lore, making it a unique experience for fans of the genre.

• Gameplay: The combat is fluid and fast, with a strong focus on deflecting attacks and using spells. You’ll face off against a wide variety of enemies, each requiring different strategies.
• Why Play It: If you’re a fan of games like Sekiro or Nioh, Wo Long will feel familiar while offering its own unique take on fast, action-packed combat.

7. Blasphemous

Blasphemous mixes souls-like difficulty with 2D Metroidvania gameplay. It’s known for its dark, gothic art style and punishing combat, as well as a rich narrative that delves into themes of religion and sacrifice.

• Gameplay: 2D platforming mixed with challenging combat. Blasphemous features a wide range of weapons and abilities, all with a focus on precision and timing.
• Why Play It: The combination of beautifully grotesque art and tough-as-nails combat makes this a standout title for souls-like fans looking for something different.

8. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

Ender Lilies is another 2D souls-like Metroidvania that has become a hidden gem on Game Pass. With a hauntingly beautiful world, this game combines challenging bosses with emotional storytelling.

• Gameplay: Explore dark, interconnected environments while mastering new abilities and facing off against towering bosses.
• Why Play It: The game’s atmospheric setting and touching narrative set it apart from other souls-likes, offering a deeply emotional experience on top of its tough combat.

9. Dark Souls Remastered

No souls-like list is complete without the game that started it all. Dark Souls Remastered brings the original Dark Souls experience to modern consoles, letting players dive into the deep lore and punishing combat that defines the genre.

• Gameplay: Classic souls-like combat where timing, stamina management, and strategy are key to survival.
• Why Play It: If you haven’t experienced the game that started the souls-like craze, now’s the perfect time to jump in.

10. Ashen

Ashen offers a unique take on the souls-like genre with its minimalist art style and cooperative gameplay. It’s more accessible than some of the other titles on this list but still offers plenty of challenges.

• Gameplay: You’ll explore a beautiful, open world while facing tough enemies. The game features drop-in/drop-out co-op, making it easy to team up with friends.
• Why Play It: The art style and co-op elements make Ashen stand out from more traditional souls-like, offering something different without sacrificing difficulty.

Take The Right Souls-Like Game Challenges on Game Pass

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the souls-like genre or just curious about what it has to offer, these 10 titles on Game Pass provide plenty of challenge and depth. From dark, twisted narratives to fast-paced combat, there’s something here for everyone. The best part? With Game Pass, you can jump into any of these games and see which one suits your style.

Final Tip: Don’t be discouraged by the difficulty. Souls-like games reward patience and perseverance. Stick with it, and you’ll find each victory that much sweeter!