Summary
The popularity of the soulslike genre is at an all-time high, with many new triple-A games and exciting follow-ups being released every year, especially afterElden Ring’stremendous success. However, despite such high demand, some earlier soulslikes have never received a sequel treatment for various reasons and were unable to start their own huge franchise akin toDark SoulsorNioh.
Some developers, including FromSoftware, simply prefer to release entirely new games that introduce fresh settings, worlds, and mechanics for players to experience. On the other hand, some games here were simply not popular enough at their time to secure a proper follow-up. These examples are some of the most popular and beloved games in the genre that never got a second entry, even though fans have been rooting for sequels for years.
For clarity, only games released at least five years ago have been included, as with long development cycles these days, anything newer might already have a sequel in development.
The game that started it all,Demon’s Soulswas released a lifetime ago on PlayStation 3 (fifteen years ago, to be precise), and eventually evolved into theDark Soulsseries. WhileDemon’s Soulsitself never got a direct follow-up, it introduced many elements that were then solidified in the firstDark Soulsgame and further refined with each subsequent game. It’s hard to underestimate its contribution to the genre in the first place.
This iconic game later received a full-fledged remake,developed by Bluepoint Gamesexclusively for PlayStation 5. With its impressive production values, technical improvements, and total faithfulness to the original, it is probably the best way to experience the classic today and appreciate all the foundations that were started so long ago but are still commonly used in the genre.
Probably the most beloved on this list,Bloodborneis one of the most popular soulslikes ever released that never got any continuation. Millions of fans relentlessly remindSonyhow much they crave a remake or remaster of the game, not to mention how many players secretly hope that FromSoftware (or maybe another developer) will one day create a sequel to this gem. Even HidetakaMiyazaki himself recently confirmedhe knows how many fans want to see aBloodbornePC port, and admitted that “it’s nothing [he] opposed to.”
WithSony’s recent interest in remaking older PlayStation classics and bringing its gaming catalog to PC, there is still a chance that the company is considering something forBloodborne. However, so far, no fans' hopes have been fulfilled.One can dreamthat such a marvelous and special game asBloodbornewon’t forever remain available only on PlayStation 4, without even the slightest enhancements for modern hardware, but only time will tell.
Ashenis truly a special soulslike due to its remarkable visual style, but it’s more than that. It’s a great entry point for newcomers, as the game is somewhat easier than many others, allowing fans to travel with a companion throughout the entire journey. The game was one of the first in the soulslike genre to offer a semi-open world with sprawling regions that players can explore as thoroughly as they see fit. Despite its unique features, the game never got a sequel and probably never will.
The creators ofAshen,A44 Games, are about to release their new soulslike,Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, which has been in development for over five years. From the looks of it,Flintlockis approachable and intriguing, with a unique setting and innovative gameplay mechanics. The game is coming out on July 17, so fans will soon know for certain whether it will surpassAshenand prove to be worth the wait.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis another standalone game by FromSoftware, distinguished by its fresh, parry-centered combat system and limited character progression systems. More than any other soulslike by the developer,Sekiroisdriven by player skill, offering few optional tools to overcome the game’s numerous challenges. Many fans claim that such an approach makesSekiroone of the best games by the studio, leading many to hope for a sequel or at least another similar title.
Sekirois also exceptional in FromSoftware’s portfolio for at least two reasons. First, it never received any DLC or expansions, unlike every other soulslike by the studio sinceDark Souls. Second, it was published by Activision, although all rights are still retained by the developer. However, given how rare it is for the Japanese studio to undertake sequels, it’s unlikely thatSekirowill get one anytime soon.
Code Veinis a game heavily inspired by theDark Soulsseries, with a visual style seemingly borrowed fromGod Eater 3. Such an unusual combination ensures that the game stands out among many other soulslikes even today. With a robust combat system, unique vampiric abilities, and an in-depth character creator,Code Veinis a worthy addition to the genre. Unfortunately, it has never spawned any sequels.
Despite the clear potential ofCode Veinas a series, it’s unlikely that the developers will return to it anytime soon. Since the game’s launch, Bandai Namco Studios has released several more successful games, includingTekken 8,Tales of Arise, andScarlet Nexus, suggesting the studio is more likely to return to any of those first.
