5 Best Soulslike Games on Mobile (2023)

FromSoftware and its plateau of Dark Souls clones have retained their positions as some of the most influential masterpieces in the gaming world for the best part of twelve or so years now. It makes sense, then, that countless aspiring developers have collectively built a community based entirely on the Soulslike exploits. And not just for consoles and PC, but for Android, iOS, and mobile, too. As a result of this shared devotion to the subcategory of RPGs, both the Play Store and App Store now foster an enormous collection of watered-down love letters and spin-offs.

So, of all these mobile-friendly homages, which of them are actually worth playing in 2023? Or better yet, which of them dabble on the same wavelength as the likes of Dark Souls and Elden Ring? Well, here are the five best Soulslike games we'd recommend picking up on mobile right now.

5. Animus: Revenant

Animus: Revenant is a near-perfect reflection of Dark Souls, especially in the combat department which, like its inspiration, leans more towards the challenging side. And not just its combat, but the general aesthetic of the game as a whole; ominous, bleak, and shrouded in mystery. It's because of these few major things that the mobile exclusive has been billed as one of the best representatives for the Soulslike community, period. And what's more, it's available in its entirety for just $12.99.

Animus: Revenant puts you in an isometric 3D world on a path to “gather the dying memories of an ill-fated world.” As the keeper of a refuge, you must venture forth and “bring peace to the condemned”—souls that you must garner with the use of your war hammer and other tools. Prepare for a war that boasts an immediate disadvantage, yet one that will keep you trucking on for days to come in a bid to conquer it.

4. Ronin: The Last Samurai

Based loosely on the popular manga known as Vagabond, Ronin: The Last Samurai depicts the journey of the great Ronin warrior, Miyamoto Musashi. In the Soulslike venture, players are invited to a enrol in a unique ink-and-wash world that boasts demanding combat, powerful bosses, and difficult yet rewarding mechanics that revolve around parrying, defending, and using precision-based attacks to belittle its ever-evolving enemies.

Ronin: The Last Samurai isn't all that complex as far as mechanics go, as there is only a single button to keep on top of. That said, battles require a level-headed approach and a ludicrous amount of patience. Persevere, though, and it actually winds up becoming one of the most immersive games of its kind. And while it's not a direct replica of Dark Souls or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it does share a lot of commonalities. What's more, it's completely free on the Play Store, which is enough of a reason alone to fork over the hours.

3. Way of Retribution

Way of Retribution plays out in a similar fashion to Dark Souls, in the fact that you're thrown into a land engulfed in endless turmoil and chaos. As one of the final warriors left to fend off the tainted souls that roam the world, you must develop your hero and mold their attributes, and in turn restore some level of peace to the remaining fragments of the realm. And if doing this in a single-player campaign isn't to your liking, then you can team up with friends and take it online in its exclusive co-op mode.

Clearly, and even then, there are a lot of Dark Souls and other Soulslike titles to thank here. And it isn't only the visuals, but the rugged and somewhat challenging combat and colossal foes, too. To put it short, it's a solid alternative to just about any full-fledged console iteration of any Souls game on the market, and it's made all the more appealing by its free-to-play tag, too.

2. Darkness Rises

Easily considered one of most aesthetically pleasing Soulslike games on mobile, Darkness Rises brings with it not only top-shelf visuals, but a sturdy plotline, class system, and a huge range of combat mechanics. And, not to mention a cast of quality voice actors and an electrifying soundtrack to boot. Not a bad haul, given the fact that it's currently free to play over on the Google and App Stores.

Darkness Rises hurls you into a world plagued by Dark Forces—beastly creatures that dominate over all forms of life. As either an Assassin, Warrior, Berserker, or Wizard, you will step into one of several dungeons and dethrone the great bosses that call them their own. Easier said than done, mind you, what with the campaign boasting countless challenges to complete, skills to develop, and tactics to master.

1. Pascal's Wager

When the sun has been swallowed by the sea and all that remains is a corrupted land locked in endless chaos, what will you do to make amends? Why, you'd branch out to rescue the great Colossi, of course—beings that possess the power to restore light to the fragile world and, in turn, remove the darkness that has stolen its place. That's the premise behind Pascal's Wager, in a nutshell, and it moves in an almost identical motion as the likes of the earliest Dark Souls entries.

In Pascal's Wager, you will find five heroes to choose from, all of whom come with distinctive combat styles and move sets to master. To make so much as a dent on the foes you encounter, you will need to learn to parry, deflect, and thread together combos, all the while working to unravel a plot that courses deep beneath the so-called Dark Mist.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any Soulslike games you'd recommend picking up on mobile? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.