So, I just finished the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring, and wow... that feeling of emptiness after such an epic journey is real. FromSoftware delivered yet again, giving us more lore, more world, and more brutally brilliant bosses. But now, after around thirty hours in the Land of Shadow, I'm left with that classic soulsborne craving—that need for another world to conquer, another set of seemingly impossible walls to break down with my own two hands (and a lot of dying). If you're in the same boat, don't worry. The gaming world is full of incredible, challenging experiences that can test your mettle. Here's my personal list of games that scratch that specific itch for mastery and punishment, perfect for any Tarnished looking for their next fix.
10️⃣ Aeterna Noctis
Precision platforming at its absolute fiercest.
Most metroidvanias focus on combat and exploration, right? Well, Aeterna Noctis flips the script. Don't get me wrong, the combat and bosses are solid and tough. But here, your platforming skill is your most vital asset. The underworld is a deadly gauntlet of traps and passages that feel downright impossible. It reminds me so much of the brutal, beautiful climb in Celeste. You'll look at a room and think "no way," but with enough practice, determination, and pixel-perfect jumps, you will push through. It's a different kind of challenge that rewards pure mechanical mastery.
Why it fits the vibe: It replaces boss-dodging reflexes with jump-and-dash precision. The feeling of overcoming a "you cannot pass" platforming section is just as euphoric as beating a soulsborne boss.
9️⃣ Death's Gambit: Afterlife
Even agents of Death can have it rough sometimes.
This game is a love letter to classics. As you explore the fallen land of Siradon, you'll see hints of Shadow of the Colossus, Dark Souls, and Hollow Knight. For us soulslike fans, the real treasure is the "heroic" boss battles. These aren't your standard "dodge and poke" affairs. They are mechanically complex, multi-phase spectacles that demand your full attention and adaptation. They take the core soulslike combat and elevate it into intricate dances of death. The other bosses are great, but these heroic encounters are the main event.
Why it fits the vibe: It understands that the heart of a soulslike is the boss fight, and it delivers some truly memorable, challenging ones that will test everything you learned in the Lands Between.
8️⃣ La Mulana 2
Tomb-raiding is never, ever easy.
At first glance, this looks like a standard exploration-focused metroidvania. And exploration is key. But be warned: La Mulana 2 is a beast. The challenge comes in two brutal flavors. First, the bosses. They hit like trucks, have tricky patterns, and require you to learn their tells and time your moves perfectly—sound familiar? 🤔 Second, and perhaps more infamous, are the puzzles. This game will stonewall you with cryptic clues and environmental puzzles that require serious brainpower and note-taking. It’s for players who want both their combat reflexes and their problem-solving skills pushed to the limit.
Why it fits the vibe: It captures the "unforgiving world" feeling. Progress isn't just about getting stronger; it's about getting smarter and more observant, much like piecing together Elden Ring's lore from fragments.
7️⃣ Ghostrunner 2
Achieve perfection or die trying. Literally.
Elden Ring is fair. You can make mistakes, heal, and learn. Ghostrunner 2 is not that. Here, perfection is borderline mandatory. You play as Jack, a cyborg ninja with awesome abilities, all designed for one thing: being a speedy, efficient killing machine. The gameplay is lightning-fast, fluid, and intensely satisfying. The catch? One hit. One hit ends your run. It's the ultimate high-risk, high-reward gameplay loop. You'll die in a split-second, respawn instantly, and try again until you flawlessly chain together moves to clear an entire room. The rush is incredible.
Why it fits the vibe: It trades strategic stamina management for split-second reaction times and flow-state execution. Mastering a level feels as rewarding as no-hitting a boss.
6️⃣ Hollow Knight
The insect world is a sad, beautiful, and brutal place.
Just like the Golden Order, the glory of Hallownest is long gone. What remains is a decaying, hauntingly beautiful husk of a kingdom. You can't save it, but you can explore every dark corner, gather strength, and face down dozens of incredible, challenging bosses. This game is the perfect fusion of metroidvania and soulslike. The world is interconnected and mysterious, the combat is tight and punishing, and the atmosphere is thick with melancholy. It's no wonder the wait for Silksong has been so agonizing—this game sets a bar that few can reach.
Why it fits the vibe: It's a masterclass in world-building, atmospheric challenge, and tough-as-nails boss design. It's a must-play for any fan of the genre.
5️⃣ Returnal
Try, try, try again and again and again...
This game demands patience. It blends third-person shooting with roguelike structure. When you die (and you will), you often start back near the beginning. The challenge isn't always a single tough boss; it's about surviving room after room of overwhelming enemy encounters. Advancement comes from knowledge: learning enemy patterns, mastering the incredibly responsive dodge, and deconstructing each encounter strategically. The reward is a deep, mind-bending sci-fi story and some of the smoothest, most responsive controls you'll ever experience.
Why it fits the vibe: It captures the soulsborne loop of "die, learn, improve" but applies it to a fast-paced shooter with a roguelike structure. The feeling of finally pushing past a biome you've struggled with is pure elation.
4️⃣ Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Become a parry god or die like a chump.
If your favorite part of Elden Ring was the epic boss duels, Wo Long has you covered. But it plays by its own rules. It's mission-based, and while gear matters, your performance in each mission is key. The core mechanic is parrying (they call it Deflecting). This isn't a optional tactic—it's essential. Deflecting enemy attacks is your primary way to break their posture and deal massive damage. Fights become rhythmic dances of deflecting and counter-attacking. Getting the rhythm down for each enemy and exploiting openings creates battles that are every bit as challenging and satisfying as Elden Ring's best.
Why it fits the vibe: It focuses and refines one aspect of souls combat (parrying/deflecting) into the entire combat pillar, creating a uniquely demanding and rewarding system.
3️⃣ Metroid Dread
Samus has the moves, and this time she needs every single one.
This game lived up to a decade of hype for a reason. It's a brilliant evolution of Metroid, feeling both fresh and familiar. Exploring the planet ZDR is a joy, but the real stars are the bosses. While not all are "Elden Ring hard," most require you to use Samus's full arsenal—beams, missiles, the works—along with well-timed parries and fluid movement to overcome. The boss designs are creative, the patterns are punishing, and the victories are earned. Until that other highly anticipated sequel drops, this is a top-tier experience for fans of challenging, skill-based action.
Why it fits the vibe: It offers tight, skill-based combat with fantastic boss encounters in a masterfully crafted world. The emphasis on learning patterns and executing precisely is very souls-adjacent.
2️⃣ Lies of P
This Pinocchio might still be a liar, but maybe don't call him out on it.
1️⃣ Demon's Souls (2020)
More souls is never a bad thing. Especially the pure, punishing kind.
For players who cut their teeth on Elden Ring, going back to where it all truly began (in 3D) might be the ultimate challenge. Every FromSoft game has its claim to hardest boss or clunkiest combat. But Demon's Souls has the most unforgiving structure. Death is punished harshly, reducing your health bar until you can reclaim your body. Checkpoints? You only get them after beating a boss. That's right—no Stakes of Marika here. These two factors alone create a relentless, tense experience that demands perfection and punishes carelessness more than any of its successors. It's a beautiful, terrifying, and wonderfully cruel game that reminds us where it all came from.
Why it fits the vibe: It's the ultimate test for any player who thinks they've mastered the soulsborne formula. The challenge here isn't just the bosses, but the very rules of the world itself.