Top 10 Best 2D Soulslikes: From Vigil to Nine Sols

Today, soulslike games have become a common phenomenon, and the announcement of a new one no longer causes the same excitement as it used to. However, this doesn’t mean that such releases don’t deserve attention. Many independent developers draw inspiration from FromSoftware’s works. And although 3D variants are more often in the spotlight, 2D soulslikes, perhaps, demonstrate a more consistently high quality, and every year, several projects appear that can be considered among the best in the genre.

Most people are probably familiar with Salt and Sanctuary, Blasphemous, and Hollow Knight, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. So, let’s take a look at the recent history and highlight the best 2D soulslikes that have left their mark on the genre. Hopefully, in the coming years, we will see several more masterpieces like these.

These games can be difficult to classify, as they often represent metroidvanias with soulslike elements. How many of these elements are needed for a project to be called a soulslike? I will try to stick to games that also follow a structure similar to Dark Souls or Bloodborne. In simpler terms, Silksong fits this definition, while Dead Cells does not.

10. Vigil: The Longest Night

A 2D soulslike world that cannot escape the night

One of the more forgotten 2D soulslikes, Vigil: The Longest Night, is perhaps closer to something like Bloodborne than Dark Souls, at least in terms of its world. Using a Gothic aesthetic, Lovecraftian monsters, and Taiwanese cultural flair, this 2020 release has a dark atmosphere that almost weaves horror elements into the gameplay. The world, locked in eternal night, is slowly being afflicted by a plague that turns humanity into monsters — a concept that seems to be taken straight from FromSoftware’s playbook.

The world-building in Vigil is perhaps its strongest aspect, but the gameplay is by no means bad.

The melee combat in the game is quite typical for the genre and, as is fitting for a soulslike, emphasizes stamina management. The protagonist, Leila, can use four different types of weapons, each suitable for a unique playstyle, and players are encouraged to switch between them (as well as upgrade the corresponding skills).

9. Unworthy

A ruthlessly difficult game in a dark world — a challenge for the most resilient

Distinguished by a dark, ominous art style and one of the most challenging combat systems among 2D soulslikes, Unworthy is a merciless, incredibly difficult action-RPG that puts the main emphasis on combat. It doesn’t give the player a moment to relax, throwing them into fast and extremely challenging skirmishes. Even ordinary enemies seem more difficult than usual, as the game strives to justify its title, proving the player’s “unworthiness”.

Unworthy also features an interesting map design and a variety of intriguing weapons and items that help reveal the developers’ cunning ideas. Supported by a great soundtrack and a dark artistic setting, Unworthy is one of the most underrated 2D action games of recent years, which is worth trying on any platform.

8. Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight

An underground soulslike franchise reaches its peak in the fourth part

Momodora is an ongoing series of action-RPGs, each with different female protagonists embarking on challenging and engaging quests through beautifully crafted worlds. Starting humbly with free games on digital platforms like itch.io, the Momodora franchise has quietly become one of the best soulslike series in the industry. In the fourth part, Reverie Under the Moonlight, the studio Bombservice created an absolutely outstanding action game that is still worth playing even eight years after its release.

In Reverie Under the Moonlight, players control a priestess named Kaho in a tightly connected world full of deadly enemies and truly formidable bosses. The combat feels excellent: the light flashes and effects give the player excellent feedback. Controlling Kaho is a pleasure, she jumps and moves swiftly through the air with clear animations. This is an overall fantastic product, and this beautiful soulslike game is an outstanding part of an already incredible franchise.

7. The Last Faith

A stylish blend of Castlevania and Dark Souls

The Last Faith has gained a lot of fans from its announcement to release, as it not only pays homage to classic Castlevania but also looks like a brilliant blend of the Gothic world of the Belmont clan and the harsh, unforgiving worlds of FromSoftware. The final product achieves exactly this: this incredibly challenging action-RPG combines interconnected exploration in the spirit of metroidvania with fierce, ruthless combat from games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne.

Players take control of Eric, a man seeking revenge, which leads him through a world steeped in atmosphere and inspired by various elements of Gothic horror. The combat is precise and effective, it has a sense of speed and powerful feedback. The Last Faith is already available on all major platforms and definitely deserves attention as one of the best 2D soulslike games.

6. Grime

A strange and stunning soulslike

Grime is a strange game, and I love it. Unlike 3D games, 2D soulslikes are more often willing to push the genre in new and exciting directions, and this is a prime example. The coolest concept of Grime is that parrying is not only encouraged but also actively rewarded with damage and even new skills.

After a sufficient number of parries, players can absorb the traits of enemies — a concept that is truly captivating and mostly well-implemented.

Almost every soulslike punishes those who mindlessly press buttons, but Grime is one of the most ruthless, as stamina is consumed quickly, and poor management of it will leave the player in a very vulnerable position. However, the combat still encourages aggressive play, so it’s not just about waiting for an opportunity to strike. You need to think through every action.

Grime 2 also looks very good, but I chose the first part because I don’t have as much experience with the sequel.

5. Hollow Knight and Silksong

The most famous 2D metroidvanias that have incorporated soulslike elements

Hollow Knight is one of the most engaging and exciting 2D games of all time. Since most soulslikes share common traits with the metroidvania genre, it’s no surprise that Hollow Knight excels in both styles. However, this is a case where the game is primarily a metroidvania and only then a soulslike. The world of Hallownest is a decaying, intoxicating world that is incredibly interesting to explore, and in the process, the player encounters a multitude of ferocious enemies and boss battles.

The little knight, controlled by the player, is a pleasure to control, with many abilities and skills to acquire. Using these abilities in combination with the excellent combat feedback, a key component of the soulslike genre, allows Hollow Knight to evolve at a rapid pace. New abilities and magical spells are unlocked at ideal intervals, and the stylish, yet dangerous world of Hallownest is still worth diving into, even after the release of the long-awaited Silksong.

Speaking of the sequel, Silksong has lived up to expectations, presenting another incredibly long campaign that makes few concessions.

The game, surprisingly, is more challenging than Hollow Knight, despite Hornet being faster and more aggressive. The combat has a steep learning curve, as players must unlearn some of the habits acquired in the first part. And even after that — be prepared to die again and again.

Hollow Knight and Silksong are the best games on this list, but they are also the least “soulslike” of all. That’s why they occupy slightly lower positions.

4. Salt and Sanctuary

The Journey of the Born in Salt — one of the best 2D soulslike games

Salt and Sanctuary masterfully combines soulslike and metroidvania elements in one package, making it an outstanding work by Ska Studios. In this dark and gloomy world, the player controls the Born in Salt on a hostile island teeming with dangerous enemies and permeated with a sense of impending horror.

Supported by a fierce, dynamic combat system and brilliant enemy design, the universe of Salt and Sanctuary is treacherous to explore, but the efforts are worth it. Uncovering its numerous secrets, defeating countless bosses, and surviving the harsh reality of the Born in Salt’s fate are just some of the reasons why Salt and Sanctuary remains one of the best 2D action games of its generation. From the perspective of 2D soulslikes, it perfectly conveys the ruthless difficulty of combat, mixed with storytelling through the game world, characteristic of the genre.

Salt and Sacrifice is a much more ambiguous experience. While I still recommend trying it if you liked Salt and Sanctuary, don’t expect it to be the same game.