soullike

Soullike is a label used in video game discourse to describe titles that imitate the design philosophy of FromSoftware’s Demon's Souls (2009) and its successors. The term is applied to games across platforms that emphasize challenging, methodical combat, tightly designed level structure, and a specific approach to death and progression.

Core mechanics typically include deliberate combat requiring precise timing, stamina management, and enemy pattern recognition. Encounters reward patience and learning, with punishments for mistakes. Players advance by collecting a currency (often called souls, echoes, or blood echoes) that fuels leveling and equipment, but death can cause loss of those resources unless recovered.

World and pacing features often include an interconnected world or frequent shortcuts, minimal hand-holding, and environmental storytelling over explicit exposition. Progression is tied to exploration and boss encounters, with optional content that can alter difficulty and rewards. Checkpoints or bonfires/lanterns serve as respawn points and hubs for progression.

Notable examples include FromSoftware’s Demon's Souls, the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring. The term also covers a broader set of games that deliberately mimic the style, such as later indie titles and spiritual successors, though definitions vary.

Reception and influence: the subgenre is recognized for design depth and challenge but criticized for hardness and accessibility. Designers often balance difficulty with accessibility options to widen the audience while retaining core challenge.