7 Best Soulslike Games For Low-End PCs, Ranked

Highlights

• Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight
  offers charming art and fun boss fights on low-end PCs.
• Blasphemous
  creates a unique, eerie world with challenging yet fair combat for players.
• Hollow Knight
  reinvents the genre with stunning art and unique gameplay accessible to all gamers.

With titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, From Software not only became a developer to watch out for but also created an entirely new genre that has been replicated tirelessly over the years. While many have failed to pay homage to From Software’s games by developing poor imitations, others have succeeded, and have done so wonderfully.

Unfortunately, many Soulslike games seem to require a mid-end PC, or at least a new-gen console, to run properly, leaving a large chunk of gamers stranded and frustrated. Luckily, there are still several Soulslike games out there that will run smoothly on virtually any low-end PC setup. Here are the best of the lot.

7 Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight

Metascore: 76

• Mesmerizing environments
• Fun boss fights

When the term “Soulslike” is used, most people probably think of large, scary bosses with a thousand arms, razor-sharp teeth, and a medieval, gloomy setting. While this is almost always the case, sometimes titles like Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight show that other art styles and boss designs can be explored and still deliver mesmerizing results that don’t require a gaming rig to experience..

This cute side scroller is ideal for players with a low-end PC who want a challenging and fun combat experience without vicious monsters, jump scares, or spine-chilling environments.

6 Blasphemous

Metascore: 77

• A nightmarish world with unique enemies
• Punishing, yet fair combat

For anyone wondering what the spawn of Dark Souls and the Spanish Inquisition would look like, they’ll find their answer in Blasphemous. This eerie yet interesting world and main character design gives this title a grotesque and intimidating air of decadence that players won’t be able to stop exploring, even if they want to. The game looks good, but in a 2D-retro type of way that won’t tax the average PC.

With nightmarish enemies, a wide range of abilities, and challenging yet rewarding combat, Blasphemous is the perfect example of how it’s still possible to create a game that feels new and refreshing, even when it’s based on an existing concept.

5 Death’s Gambit: Afterlife

Metascore: 78

• Fast-paced, challenging combat
• Large boss variety

Death’s Gambit: Afterlife isn’t breaking the mold in terms of the concept it presents; however, what it does well really shines. With a rich world design, a large variety of different attacks, and new bosses to fight at every turn, this title is a great choice for players who are looking to beat a new Metroidvania Soulslike game with a touch of darkness, but don’t have the PC specs to invest in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

One of the most interesting aspects of this game is that, while it’s mostly based on a medieval concept, some characters, like Origa, fight with guns and tech, offering a refreshing change of pace.

4 Salt And Sanctuary

Metascore: 84

• Unique art style
• Multi-boss fights

Salt and Sanctuary promises a vast world filled with formidable enemies, and it delivers a thousand times over. This game’s art style feels very similar to the animations from early 2000s cartoon music videos, so it’s not only fun to play, but it also looks great and brings back a feeling of nostalgia. That said, while the graphics work for the look Salt and Sanctuary is going for, they won’t tax anyone’s graphics card.

Players might notice that, compared to other similar Soulslike games, this title doesn’t feel as fast-paced, nor is it as flashy in terms of attack animations and abilities. Nonetheless, it delivers an enjoyable experience that every fan of the genre should try at least once.

3 Hyper Light Drifter

Metascore: 84

• 16-bit art style crafted beautifully
• The number of bosses is on the shorter side, but they’re all fun to fight

As far as Metroidvania Soulslike games go, Hyper Light Drifter breaks the mold in more than one way. While the art style is not far from what’s conventionally seen in 16-bit indie titles, the developers managed to create a visually stunning game that’s reminiscent of the design of the original Super Mario Bros. Needless to say, these graphics aren’t overheating any motherboards.

While there aren’t nearly as many bosses in this game as there are in other titles of its kind, the combat mechanics, such as being able to satisfyingly parry incoming attacks, feel great and make it a blast to play.

2 Dead Cells

Metascore: 89

• Character and boss animations look amazing
• Fast-paced combat with combo system

One of the things many Soulslike games lack is a decent combo system that rewards players for connecting multiple attacks. But luckily, Dead Cells doesn’t have that problem. This title has fast-paced combat, multiple bosses to fight, a wide range of gear to choose from, and powerful upgrades called Mutations that can provide a significant edge in combat.

The game’s varied boss attacks and pristine animations, along with its combat mechanics and item selection, make it an ideal choice for gamers who want unmatched entertainment, but don’t have a gaming PC to make that happen. There’s nothing graphically intensive about Dead Cells at all, but it still looks great in gameplay. Players who’ve already completed the base game should give the DLC, Return to Castlevania a try as well.

1 Hollow Knight

Metascore: 90

• Beautiful world with unique areas
• Combat and exploration both demand skill
• Large enemy variety
• Simple skill tree

It’s not often that developers will risk taking an existing and popular genre and attempt to not only innovate but completely reinvent it, but Team Cherry did just that, and it paid off massively. Hollow Knight is one of those games that come once in a decade.

This title captures the Soulslike concept while embracning a Metroidvania-style map design, but manages to remain independent to pursue its own boss designs, combat style, and overall artwork. Hollow Knight strikes the perfect balance of stunning art design but simplistic-enough graphics that virtaully any gaming system can run it. The premise of undead bug people living in solitude in a cursed land beneath the ground isn’t very appealing at the outset, but somehow, Hollow Knight makes it work masterfully.