Let me tell you, as a seasoned veteran who's died more times than I've had hot dinners in these punishing worlds, grinding isn't just a chore—it's the lifeblood, the sacred ritual, the thing that separates the casuals from the legends. It's in those countless hours of repetition where you forge your will, uncover the universe's deepest secrets, and truly master the art of not getting your face smashed in by a giant demon for the hundredth time. Whether you're chasing that god-tier weapon to live out the ultimate power fantasy or just vibing with the haunting atmosphere while your character slowly becomes less of a wet noodle, the grind is the game. And in 2026, after years of perfecting my craft, I'm here to break down the soulslikes that don't just make grinding tolerable, but turn it into a straight-up addictive, fist-pumping accomplishment. Buckle up, because we're going in.
8. Mortal Shell: The Chill, Strategic Grind
Starting off with a bit of a dark horse, Mortal Shell. This game is like the introspective, moody cousin of the soulslike family. Grinding here isn't about mindless slaughter; it's a chess game of resource management. With its Tar and Glimpses system, every enemy you take down feels calculated. You're not just farming for the sake of it; you're strategically hunting for that next meaningful upgrade. It's a more accessible entry point, sure, but don't let that fool you—every encounter demands you git gud with its weighty combat. Plus, scouring its bleak world for hidden lore and items adds a layer of mystery that makes the grind feel less like work and more like a detective story where everyone wants to kill you. It's a grind for the thinker, the planner, the one who savors a slow burn.
7. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty: Combat as a Spectator Sport
Okay, listen up! Team Ninja took everything they learned from Nioh and said, "Let's make it flow like water." Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is all about that high-octane, deflect-centric combat that makes you feel like a wuxia legend. The grind here is, frankly, a breeze compared to its predecessors. Want a complete gear set? You can usually snag it without dedicating your entire weekend. This is a blessing because it lets you focus on the real star of the show: the absolutely sublime combat system. Grinding becomes less about the loot and more about perfecting your timing, mastering the rhythm of deflection, and looking cool as hell while doing it. It's for the player who wants to revel in the fight itself, where getting better is the reward.
6. Bloodborne: A Hauntingly Beautiful Chore
Hold on to your sanity, hunter. Even in 2026, with all the graphical marvels out there, nothing—and I mean nothing—captures the grim, gut-wrenching beauty of grinding in Yharnam. This isn't your typical power fantasy; it's a descent into cosmic horror where you're a scrappy survivor. Slaughtering beastly abominations with trick weapons that transform in your hands never, ever gets old. FromSoftware crafted a world so thick with atmosphere that simply running through its gothic, blood-soaked streets is an experience. The grind is addictive because the sandbox itself is a masterpiece of tension and reward. You're not just farming Blood Echoes; you're proving your mettle against a world designed to break you. It's pure, unadulterated style, and it's why we're still screaming for a proper remake or sequel. The grind here is a badge of honor.
5. Remnant: From the Ashes / Remnant 2: The Chill Co-op Grind
Now here's a twist! The Remnant games are the black sheep of the family, and I mean that in the best way. You don't need to grind to become an overpowered monster, thanks to its clever scaling. But that's what makes its grind so dang enjoyable—it's low-stakes and procedural. Every run through its shattered worlds is different. You're not repeating the same path for the thousandth time; you're exploring new layouts, facing randomized bosses, and hunting for that one elusive weapon mod. It's the perfect soulslike grind for when you just want to zone out with some friends, shoot some root monsters, and see what weird loot the game throws at you this time. Minimal pressure, maximum fun.
4. The Dark Souls Trilogy: Coming Home to Die
Let's be real: this is home. More than a decade on, booting up any of the Dark Souls games and grinding for Souls or Titanite Slabs feels like slipping into a familiar, if slightly moldy, pair of slippers. There's a strange, profound comfort in the melancholy. Farming in Anor Londo while the sun sets? Chef's kiss. Chilling in Majula, listening to that iconic, somber theme? Pure vibes. The grind in these games is foundational. It's where we all learned patience. Every little victory, every soul retrieved, every chunk farmed, feels oddly rewarding because the world itself is a character. It's a cozy, horrifying refuge that never stops calling us back. It's the grind that started it all for many of us, and its legacy is untouchable.
3. The Surge 2: Become the Scrap Lord
If you want a grind that makes you feel like a tactical surgeon from the future, look no further. The Surge 2' genius limb-targeting system transforms farming into a strategic puzzle. You're not just killing enemies; you're surgically dismembering them to harvest the specific component you need for your next upgrade. Need a new helmet? Aim for the head. Want a better weapon? Go for the arm. This direct link between action and reward is incredibly satisfying. Plus, as you graft new parts onto your exosuit, your character's appearance changes dramatically. You literally see the fruits of your labor. Combined with its fast, crunchy combat and slick level design, the grind in The Surge 2 is visceral, smart, and endlessly engaging.
2. Elden Ring: The Grind That Sets You Free
OMG, this game. Elden Ring didn't just raise the bar; it launched it into orbit. It completely redefined what a soulslike grind could be. In other games, farming can feel like a chore you do so you can play the game. In Elden Ring, farming is playing the game. The open world of the Lands Between is so vast, so dense with secrets and distractions, that collecting runes and hunting for gear flows seamlessly into exploration. You're not grinding in a single spot; you're horseback riding across a breathtaking landscape, stumbling into a hidden dungeon, getting wrecked by a giant bear, finding a cool sword in a ruins, and suddenly you're 20 levels stronger. The world feels alive, and the freedom is intoxicating. Getting stronger never feels forced because the journey itself is the ultimate reward. It's a masterclass in game design.
1. Nioh 1 & 2: The Grindiest Grind That Ever Grinded
And here we are. The pinnacle. The Mount Everest of soulslike grinding. If you tell me you love the grind and haven't played the Nioh series, I don't believe you. This is for the true degenerates, the loot goblins, the min-maxers who dream in stat sheets. Team Ninja took the soulslike formula, injected it with a heavy dose of Diablo's loot obsession, and created a combat system so deep and technical it has its own PhD program. The grind here is intense, relentless, and gloriously rewarding. You will farm for the perfect roll on a sword for hours. You will theorycraft builds that would make a physicist weep. And it's all worth it because the combat—that stanced-based, ki-pulsing, skill-demanding combat—is arguably the best in the genre. When you finally get that god-rolled piece of gear and melt a boss that gave you trouble for days, the dopamine hit is unreal. In Nioh, the grind isn't a means to an end; for many of us, it is the endgame. It's the ultimate test, and conquering it is the ultimate satisfaction. Hands down, the GOAT.
So there you have it, my personal hall of fame. From the strategic chill of Mortal Shell to the loot-saturated depths of Nioh, each game offers a unique flavor of that sweet, sweet pain we all crave. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a divine branch to farm. See you in the grind, skeletons! ud83dude80ud83dudcaa