Summary
All Soulslike games can trace their roots back to FromSoftware’sDemon’s Souls, a game that combined the maze-like level design, and limited checkpoints of the Metroidvania genre with elements from 3D action titles likeThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The 2009 game also introduced online co-op and PvP invasions, long-standing systems that are staples of FromSoft games and the Soulslike genre to this day.
FromSoftware continues to dominate with many hugely successful titles and multiple Game of the Year awards, but they aren’t the only developers in the Soulslike space. The genre has evolved and grown since its inception, and with time, fans have witnessed several innovations in co-op multiplayer, as well as the refinement of classic mechanics over the years.
Updated on July 19, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat:Souls-like games might be difficult to complete and not everyone’s cup of tea, but allowing players to team up and defeat the same brutal bosses together is one of the best features, that allows less experienced players to enjoy these games too.
Now, while some games maintain the difficulty of the boss based on the number of players, they cannot change their behavior. Having two players on the field, in most cases, enables a variety of tactics to get rid of the boss, even if it’s supposed to be baiting each other!
This system involves a host player with Humanity (necessary for hosting online co-op) enlisting the help of another player who takes the form of a Blue Phantom. The role of the phantom is to help the host progress through levels and defeat bosses, which gain a health boost when friendly phantoms are present. Progression with levels and bosses only applies to the host’s world. The main innovation this game introduced is the PvP system, where players take the form of Black Phantoms, invade a host’s world, and try to defeat them in combat - and steal their Humanity, tying everything together.
Blue Phantoms also gain Humanity by keeping the host alive during encounters with bosses and invaders. This fantastic system,though pretty unbalanced, was a hit among fans, creating fun and interesting multiplayer situations. It’s likely a major part of the reason the Soulslike genre was able to succeed in its early stages.
Dark Soulsbuilt on its predecessor’s multiplayer mechanics by introducingCovenants. These act as factions that players can join, which affects multiplayer by adding more depth to interactions with other players and the world. Most factions also have different ranks that the player can achieve by completing tasks and acquiring items, and with these ranks, players can earn special rewards.
This exploration of new systems would be the beginning of a trend for From Software’s multiplayer. As the firstDark Soulstitle, it would lay the foundations for the whole franchise, while influencing other IPs as well. Covenants added a new layer of depth to both co-op and PvP, delivering more interesting online interactions. On top of this, it ties its systems with in-game lore, which enhances immersion.
Salt and Sanctuaryis a 2D Souslike with character creation and a detailed leveling system. It features couch co-op, allowing two players to progress through the game together without needing online multiplayer. This cooperative playstyle is a rarity in modern gaming. It is usually limited to Platformers or games specifically geared towards teamwork, likeA Way Out, orIt Takes Two.
Salt and Sanctuaryis one of the best ways to enjoy the mood and difficulty of the Souslike genre with a friend. It features exciting level design and combat mechanics, rich customization and progression, and an interesting world to explore. It was later followed by a sequel,Salt and Sacrifice, but fans consider the original superior.
Dark Souls 2built on previous achievements by refining features and continuing to use what worked in the first title. The second installment placed a greater emphasis on Covenants and how they influenced gameplay. The system works very similarly to Dark Souls, withranks and rewards, and completely different experiences for players who want to enjoy different aspects of the game.
For example, members of Heirs to the Sun are best for supporting other players in co-op, while the Brotherhood of Blood is purely focused on invading other players. The enhanced importance of covenants in the game enhances the multiplayer experience by adding more variety to multiplayer. It’s a clear example of FromSoftware’s dedication to improvement over time.
While not always considered a true Soulslike,Outwardhas clear similarities to the combat mechanics of the genre. The game takes place in a harsh fantasy open world that the player must survive in, but they don’t have to do this alone. Players can team up and explore with a friend. As withSalt and Sanctuary,Outwardalso features couch co-op.
This is perfect for those who want to enjoy games together on a single console, but also allows friends to cooperate online no matter the distance between them. The game has strong RPG elements and manyunique weapon types, providing dozens of options for unique builds. This makes co-op combat encounters dynamic and exciting.
2023’sLords of the Fallenintroduces some new ideas to Soulslike multiplayer that better fit the dual world andatmosphere of the game. Much like other Soulslikes, co-op involves a host player and a cooperator joining forces to progress through levels and boss battles. Fun features like reviving fallen teammates remove some of the stakes from death when teaming up.
Cooperators can also stay in the host’s world after defeating a boss, unlike inDark Souls, but there is no joint progression. The protagonist, known as the Lampbearer, has access to two versions of the world, and this creates some interesting interactions, but some players felt that the multiplayer was held back by confusing level design.
Coming from a small team of developers,Perennial Orderis an extremely brutal experience, where every single boss can one-hit the player, and that means there is no room for mistake! The game is a brief adventure with quite unique bosses, each one requiring different tactics to be beaten.
The co-op mode supports up to two players and it works both online and locally. The game works quite fine in co-op, allowing players to try out new tactics that are just not possible in a solo run.
Aside from the combat system,Perennial Orderalso has an intriguing story to tell, but the players are required to read the journals to have all the pieces.
Following up from their previous Soulslike titles,NiohandNioh 2,Team Ninja releasedWo Long: Fallen Dynastyto mixed reviews. Though not as popular as From Software’s games, the developers continue to make their mark on the genre by introducing new ideas to players, including new ways to enjoy online multiplayer. The multiplayer mechanics ofWo Longare more accessible, allowing players to engage in co-op through a menu as soon as the tutorial is over.
It also allows for joint progression for hosts and cooperators, unlike in Soulsborne titles where progress is only valid for the host. Recruits can stick around after boss fights instead of being sent back to their respective worlds, making co-op a smoother experience. These changes, alongside teammate revival, are a welcome addition to a genre that beginners and casual players often find difficult to understand.
Risk of Rain 2is often referenced as one of the most creative roguelikes that combines the best aspects of its predecessor with some of the best Soulslikes and roguelikes on the market. The game tasks players with escaping a brutal alien planet with a variety of unique locations.
The game offers multiple heroes, each one coming with different abilities and stats, but there are also tons of items that can improve the initial build and turn the player into a deadly monster. The great thing aboutRisk of Rain 2is the fact that the enemies also grow in power as the player becomes stronger. So, that makes every run quite challenging.
Bloodbornewas released in 2015 to critical acclaim. In leaving the medieval setting of other FromSoft games for a more Victorian setting, Bloodborne paved the way for gameplay changes too.Bloodborneis more of a focused experience than other titles, with less build variety, but more aggressive and fast-paced gameplay due to a few changes from the standardDark Soulsformula.
There is less of a focus on multiplayer inBloodborne, but Covenants are still included, only with fewer options. Accessing multiplayer can be a convoluted experience, and the maximum amount of players in one game is three, including the host, two co-op summons, and one invader (apart from inchalice dungeonswhere there can be two). This smaller number isn’t a bad thing. The more focused PvE teamwork and invasions only add to the intensity of online play.
