Summary
The Soulsborne franchise has been so prominent for such a long time now in the video game industry that it becomes easy to forget there was a time long before it. Back in the era of thePlayStation 2, there was still a company calledFromSoftwarethat made games, but its titles were quite different.
However, there are a variety of different games from that era that managed to capture at least some of the elements that would later inspire FromSoftware in creating theDark Soulsfranchise. Whether players want something similar in difficulty or lore-heavy world-building, there was something similar on the PS2.
Updated on July 25, 2025 by Mark Sammut:While Soulslikes were not born until 2009, the PS2 had quite a few action-RPGs or hack and slash games that could scratch similar itches. Two more Capcom titles have been added as recommendations.
The factOnimushahas been left to wither for the best part of two decades is extremely frustrating, especially since all four main entries are not only great hack-and-slash games in isolation but also build nicely upon each other, creating one of the most experimental and ambitious PS2 series. A strong argument could be made forDemon Siegebeing the franchise’s best release (although,Samurai’s Destinyand evenDawn of Dreamsdeserve a lot of praise), but when it comes to this particular discussion,Onimusha: Warlordsis the way to go.
As great as the2001 originalis, newcomers should pick up the 2018 remaster as it is just far more accessible in this day and age. While they don’t have remasters, the PS2 sequels have aged pretty well.
Copying some pages fromResident Evil’s playbook,Onimushatakes players on an action-driven romp through Feudal Japan, blending history and dark fantasy in the process. While not devoid of puzzles, the campaign is predominantly driven by combat, which is simple but satisfying. Players get to unlock a few elemental weapons, along with an upgrade system that, funnily enough, uses souls. With great level design, fantastic visuals, and challenging combat,Onimushais just an all-around masterpiece.
For the most part, Capcom has not dedicated much time toGhosts ‘n Goblinsover the last two decades, which is a shame as the publisher did an impressive job of adapting the franchise for the 3D console era. BothMaximogames on the PS2 are delights, andGhosts to Glory’s selection largely comes down to it being the first entry rather than the sequel,Maximo vs. Army of Zin, failing to live up to its predecessor’s standard of quality.
As a 3D platformer with hack and slash gameplay,Maximo: Ghosts to Gloryis very, very different from Soulslikes; however, it is nevertheless a valid option for fans of the latter. Unsurprisingly, considering the IP’s origins, the game is very difficult, punishing players who either rush into encounters or struggle to make full use of Maximo’s limited but well-done moveset. While the dark fantasy aesthetic and tongue-in-cheek humor are closer toMediEvilthanDark Souls,Maximo’s combat is more involved than the former, offering combos, weapon throws, guards, temporary buffs, and a lot more. The campaign structure also shares surprising similarities withDemon’s Souls, with the worlds being split into stages that are not followed in order. For example, players can find portals to jump from Level 2 directly to Level 5.
One of the best-known and remembered PS2 games of all time, the originalDevil May Cryfollowed Dante, a demon hunter andan incredible swordsman, as he went to Mallet Island to track down the demon who killed his family. With an atmosphere and story comparable to the style of the Soulsborne franchise, and a gameplay style that involved some hefty level of combat,Devil May Cryis perfect for fans of Soulslikes.
Players could even, while in control of Dante, achieve what was known as “stylish” combat by performing an unbroken sequence of chained moves while avoiding all damage. Players were well rewarded for exhibiting the same kind of combat prowess they would need just to survive any game in the Soulsborne franchise.
FromSoftware went hard on its first franchise, long before turning its attention to the Soulsborne ideas or evenArmored Core.King’s Fieldwas evidently already fitting into their style. The idea of a completely hopeless world and plenty of enemies to stand in the path of a hero were all present by the timeKing’s Field 4rolled around.
After three successful games,King’s Field 4was released on the PS2 and proved to be the final entry in the franchise. With their king dying, a kingdom lies in deep sorrow and darkness that “stains the soul of man,” which sounds right up the alley of any Soulslike game. Players must control a man from the neighboring kingdom who endeavors to return a golden idol, so their friends can be saved.
TheShadow Towerfranchise was another one produced byFromSoftware in the years priorto blowing up throughDark Souls.Shadow Tower: Abysswas one of the few games the company released that didn’t receive an English translation until fans made one available many years later. However, it is well worth finding this version online.
An FPS RPG that pits players against a seemingly never-ending series of catacombs where they have to fight off hordes of enemies to ascend the Shadow Tower. The player is simply just in the tower to search for a magical spear. The lore around the Shadow Tower was available, but that was all that players needed to know before they started charging through the many enemies available.
The idea of a franchisewhere the world is beautifully-built, but the player only cares about bringing down bigger and bigger monstrosities feels very in-theme with the Soulsborne franchise. Despite a hefty world built through lore in each of the Soulsborne franchise games, the main focus always remains on combat, and that is also true inMonster Hunter.
Players control a new hunter rising through the ranks who is tasked with a variety of missions, mostly killing or capturing monsters. This is another RPG with a dark style and plenty of lore that players can sink their teeth into, and there is a whole franchise of amazing games following it if players find themselves getting invested in the style.
If someone is only familiar withMonster Hunter WorldorRise, they will be in for a fairly rude awakening when they jump into the original 2004 game. Far less forgiving than the modern entries,Monster Hunteris the definition of difficult, arguably presenting more of a challenge in its early hours than the vast majority of Soulslike projects. That said,Monster Hunter 2is overall a superior game to its predecessor, delivering a similar level of difficulty while aiding a few necessary quality-of-life adjustments. The sequel might be a slightly better gateway into the “classic"Monster Hunterera.
ThoughShadow of the Colossusis a surprisingly short game and is an action game over a real RPG, it is still revered as one of the greatest PS2 games of all time. It is also definitely something that Soulslike fans will want to check out if they haven’t already.Shadow of the Colossusis a beautiful game that surprisingly never received a sequel.
Withthe beautifully minimalist artistic open-world, the hefty emotional weight attached to the player character and their story, and the fighting of enormous creatures, fans of the Soulslike style are going to fall in love either for the first time or all over again withShadow of the Colossusif they pick it or one of its remasters up today.
Fascinatingly, before they madeElden Ring, FromSoftware also developed a game in 2000 as alaunch title for the PlayStation 2 calledEternal Ring. This game is another that never made it across the pond to America, until 2017 that is, when it became available through emulation on the PlayStation 4.
Now, players have the chance to check out this first-person RPG that focuses on a young magician heading to the “Island of No Return” to investigate the myth surrounding the eternal ring. Players get to use magic to fight a ton of dangerous creatures and experience the lore of this fascinating world, which was surely one of the first steps along FromSoftware’s road to the Soulsborne franchise.
