In March 2025,Bloodbornewill turn 10 years old. FromSoftware’s Soulslike masterpiece is rightfully hailed as one of the best games on the PS4, and the PS5’s backward compatibility means the 2015 title runs on Sony’s latest console. However,Bloodbornehas remained a one-and-done deal (not countingThe Old Huntersexpansion), with FromSoftware and Sony providing little indication that a return to Yharnam could be on the cards. Since the arrival of the PS5, Soulslike fans have wanted to see this Lovecraftian epic receive a remaster or, at the very least, a 60 FPS patch.Neither of these things have transpiredyet.
Due to its popularity, one has to assume thatBloodbornewill eventually make its official comeback in some form or another, but it is anybody’s guess when this moment will arrive. In the meantime, there is always the option to scour the PlayStation Store in search ofPS5 games likeBloodborne. Despite Soulslikes being pretty easy to come by, very few titles scratch a similar itch to FromSoftware’s magnum opus.
Criteria and notes:
Known as the third-person shooter Soulslike,Remnant 2mostly succeeds in improving upon its predecessor’s ideas, delivering an experience that shines in co-op but is also viable in single-player. Through limited implementation of procedural generation, playthrough should vary enough to warrant more than one run, especially for players who want to make sure they see everything the game has to offer.
Now,Remnant 2plays quite differently from most other Soulslikes, includingBloodborne. Naturally, the game focuses on ranged attacks, with melee being a secondary option or prioritized by aspecific archetype. In some ways, this design choice is the inverse ofBloodborne, which emphasizes melee while employing guns as a secondary option.
During the campaign, players will eventually visit Losomn, an atmospheric Victorian hellscape that could have easily been part of Yharnam.
Team Ninja is responsible for some of the best action games of the 21st century, and the developer has spent a good chunk of time carving out a unique take on the Soulslike formula. While sharing similarities with FromSoftware’s titles, Team Ninja’s releases have their own identity, usually opting for faster-paced combat, way more loot, and mission-based levels rather than sprawling worlds (except forRise of the Ronin). They also tend to blend history with fantasy. All the company’s recent projects are worth playing, butNioh 2represents Team Ninja’s modern peak.
Starting during the 16th century and covering about 75 years,Nioh 2reimagines Sengoku Era Japan through a supernatural lens, blending real-life figures with mythological Yokai. While the actual story is hard to follow and not that great,Nioh 2’s lore and incorporation of historical events are fascinating. More importantly, the combat system is not only fantastic but also rewards aggressive play, similar toBloodborne. This is not a Soulslike that allows players to hide behind shields, and it gives them plenty of tools to handle themany, many difficult bossesthat await them.Nioh 2also has surprisingly effective guns.
Red Hook Studios’Darkest Dungeonis a must-play forBloodbornefans craving a tough-as-nails title that has a similar vibe and setting, as long as they also enjoy turn-based combat. The original title does not have a native PS5 version, but its sequel was released directly on Sony’s most recent console.
Complete newcomers should start withDarkest Dungeonas it is generally regarded as the superior game, with its successor being more divisive. That said, they are surprisingly different.
Darkest Dungeon 2challenges players to lead a stagecoach with four heroesthrough a vile and hostile world, taking on a wide assortment of creative enemies as they attempt to make it to the top of The Mountain. If their party is wiped out, they must start from scratch, although some unlockables persist from run to run. The roguelike elements can be reminiscent ofBloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons, albeit executed to a better degree.
While the combat system is complex, challenging, and nuanced, this recommendation is primarily driven byDD2’s presentation, atmosphere, and lore. Red Hook’s art style screams Victorian horror, and a few of the boss enemies could take starring roles in Lovecraftian nightmares. The storytelling also shares similarities with Soulslikes, drip-feeding elements through character insights and environmental details rather than utilizing conventional means.
Thymesiais divisive, as most non-FromSoftware Soulslikes tend to be. That said, for what is a relatively small-scale release, the game has quite a few positives in its favor.Bloodbornefans will primarily want to considerThymesiadue to its immersive Victorian-esque setting, with the story taking place in a ruined kingdom that has fallen due to the abuse of magic, leading to a plague. Players control Corvus, a plague doctor who is pretty good with a sword.
Now,Thymesia’s parry-driven combat shares way more similarities withSekirothanBloodborne, so interested parties should ideally be big fans of the former as well. The gameplay moves at a relentless pace, especially since Corvus is not restricted by a stamina bar and can technically attack indefinitely (although he will be stopped by enemies).
The Last Faithis arguably the closest a PS5 game comes to being a 2DBloodborne. The game’s Victorian setting, small but versatile weapon selection, and cryptic storytelling are taken directly from the Souls playbook, and they are executed to a respectable degree.
“Respectable” is the best word to describeThe Last Faith, as it does most things well without necessarily excelling or innovating. It is simply a well-done indie Metroidvania that takes inspiration from Soulslikes in its combat and storytelling. The world and visual style are similar toBloodborne, and the same can be said for the combat, which is built around a small pool of melee weapons alongside ranged attacks like guns and magic.
Ending with the most obvious pick,Lies of Pscreamed “Bloodborne” from its reveal, and the game somehow managed to live up to those high expectations. More impressively and importantly, Neowiz and Round8 took inspiration from FromSoftware but still succeeded in sharpening a one-of-a-kind voice that will hopefully be expanded over the coming years, starting with an upcoming prequel expansion.
Rather than a Victorian aesthetic,Lies of Pblends fairy tales (Pinocchio) with France’s La Belle Époque era, creating a beautiful world that is periodically haunting. While not extremely similar toBloodborne, the game still has a rich atmosphere that is supported by detailed environments, consistent enemy designs, and relevant NPCs. The combat system is cut from the same cloth asBloodborne, which means aggressive melee action supported by a responsive dodge and sporadic parrying. Along with having a fairly big base armory, includingboss weapons,Lies of Ppermits players to customize loadouts by combining blades and handles, allowing for a wide range of options.
