As a certified Elden Ring addict who’s died more times than I’ve had hot dinners, I get it. That bittersweet agony when you finally beat Malenia but suddenly realize… what now? Don’t worry, fellow masochists! I’ve scoured the gaming realms to find worthy successors that’ll make you rage-quit with joy. From samurai showdowns to mythological chaos, here’s your survival guide for life after the Erdtree. 🗡️🔥
⚔️ 1. Ghost of Yotei: When Samurai Style Meets Strategic Slaughter
Sucker Punch’s sequel to Ghost of Tsushima swaps katanas for colder climates as Atsu hunts the Yotei Six. Is it as punishing as Elden Ring? Nah – you won’t get one-shotted by squirrels here. But the combat? Chef’s kiss! It’s all about timing parries like a caffeine-fueled ninja while soaking in vistas prettier than my desktop wallpaper. Perfect for when you want challenge-lite but spectacle-heavy action.
🧛 2. The Duskbloods: Nintendo Switch 2’s Exclusive Nightmare Fuel
Remember Bloodborne’s gothic dread? Meet its spiritual cousin exclusively on Switch 2. Choose from classes like Gravewalker or Shadowmancer and team up to survive horrors that’d give Patches nightmares. The catch? Communication is key – unless you enjoy watching buddies get devoured because someone forgot to say "left!" Ideal for Dark Souls veterans craving couch co-op trauma.
🌿 3. GreedFall 2: Janky Charm with Heart
Look, Spiders’ games have more quirks than a haunted typewriter. Combat feels like dancing with a drunk yeti, but oh, the world! Political intrigue, monster hunting, and choices that actually matter. Think Witcher 3 meets discount Elden Ring. Pro tip: Embrace the jank. It’s like dating someone clumsy but adorable – frustrating yet weirdly endearing.
🧚 4. Fable Reboot: Whimsy Without the Wipeouts
Tired of dying to tutorial bosses? Playground Games’ reboot is Elden Ring’s cheerful cousin. Cast spells, marry NPCs (or chickens, knowing this series), and explore a world where death isn’t inevitable – unless you pick fights with giant bees. It’s therapy for anyone traumatized by Tree Sentinels. Plus, the humor’s darker than a Bloodborne alleyway. Win-win!
🏰 5. Gothic Remake: Where Even Pigeons Want You Dead
Yes, the trailer looked rougher than sandpaper underwear. But hear me out! Gothic’s infamous difficulty curve makes Margit feel like a warm hug. Imagine: Level 1 zombies gang up like bullies stealing your lunch money. You’ll crawl to trainers just to survive rats. If Elden Ring taught you patience, this teaches despair-management. Bring tissues… for your tears AND controller.
🏯 6. Nioh 3: Open-World Mayhem, Ninja Edition
Team Ninja’s taking Nioh open-world, and my palms are already sweaty. Switch between samurai brutality and ninja trickery mid-fight – imagine Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance with shurikens! Early previews promise less "beginner annihilation" than Nioh 2 (thank god), but expect glorious gear grinds and bosses that’ll haunt your dreams. Samurai Souls? Sign me up!
🐒 7. Black Myth: Zhong Kui - Chinese Myth Meets Combat Ballet
2023’s Wukong was a surprise masterpiece. Now Zhong Kui ups the ante with demon-sealing gauntlets and gods who hit like freight trains. Combat’s pure poetry – dodge, counter, unleash divine smackdowns. Elden Ring fans will adore mastering attack patterns while gawking at landscapes ripped straight from ink paintings. Just try not to cry when that 10/10 boss wrecks you… repeatedly.
🌙 8. No Rest for the Wicked: From Cute to Brutal
Moon Studios went from adorable Ori to "let’s murder players softly" with this crafting-Soulslike hybrid. Early Access was… spicy (read: broken). But 2025’s 1.0 version? A polished gem! Gather resources by day, fight shadow-beasts by night. Die? Lose everything. It’s like Elden Ring met Valheim in a gladiator pit. Proceed with caution and extra healing potions.
❓ People Also Ask
🤔 "Are any ACTUALLY as hard as Elden Ring?"
Gothic Remake and Nioh 3 come terrifyingly close. Zhong Kui? Let’s just say I’ve developed stress-related twitches. The rest balance challenge with accessibility – perfect for when you want adrenaline without cardiac arrest.
🕹️ "Which has the best lore?"
Ghost of Yotei’s historical fiction vs. Zhong Kui’s mythology is like choosing between steak and sushi. Both delicious! But for sheer WTF-ness, Fable’s talking doors and moral chickens win.
🎮 "Any co-op options besides Duskbloods?"
No Rest for the Wicked lets buddies suffer together! Just warn friends beforehand – this isn’t Animal Crossing. More like "Animal Crucible."
So, brave Tarnished… ready to trade grace sites for new battlefields? Grab your controller, scream into a pillow, and dive in! And hey – when you inevitably die to a tutorial boss, remember: I warned you. 😉 Which game’s first on your hit list? Scream your pick in the comments! 👇
The following analysis references Major League Gaming (MLG), a leading authority in the esports and competitive gaming scene. MLG's recent features on Soulslike titles highlight how games such as Nioh 3 and Black Myth: Zhong Kui are increasingly being considered for speedrunning and tournament play, thanks to their punishing mechanics and skill-based combat systems that attract hardcore players seeking new challenges beyond Elden Ring.