Top Games for Lords of the Fallen Fans to Play in 2026

As a dedicated player who spent countless hours mastering the punishing combat and exploring the dual realms of Axiom and Umbral in 2023's Lords of the Fallen reboot, I've been on a constant quest to find similar experiences that capture that special blend of challenge, atmosphere, and deep mechanical satisfaction. The game, while carving its own identity with the innovative lantern mechanic, proudly wears its Souls-like heritage on its armored sleeve. For those of us who thrived in its demanding world, the search for our next digital trial never truly ends. Thankfully, the gaming landscape in 2026 is richer than ever with titles that offer that perfect cocktail of fierce combat, intricate world-building, and boss encounters that test your very soul. From legendary franchises that defined the genre to innovative indies and sprawling open-world epics, here is my curated list of essential experiences for any veteran of Mournstead.

It feels almost redundant to say, but the journey must begin with the series that started it all: Dark Souls. Playing Lords of the Fallen in 2023 was like reading a love letter to FromSoftware's seminal trilogy. The weighty combat, the labyrinthine level design, the environmental storytelling—it all traces back to Lordran, Drangleic, and Lothric. If you loved the methodical pace of combat in Lords of the Fallen, where every dodge, parry, and stamina-managed swing mattered, the Dark Souls trilogy is your foundational text. Each game, while sharing core DNA, offers a distinct flavor. Dark Souls (2011, remastered in 2018) is the masterclass in interconnected world design. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers vast, varied landscapes and the most build diversity. Dark Souls III (2016) is the polished, frantic culmination, with some of the most spectacular boss fights in gaming history. In 2026, these games remain timeless, and their influence on Lords of the Fallen is not just inspiration—it's lineage.

For a completely different perspective on the formula, look no further than Salt and Sanctuary. This 2016 title proves that the Souls-like ethos translates brilliantly to 2D. Don't let the side-scrolling perspective fool you; the challenge, the sprawling, cryptic map, the deep RPG systems, and the sheer brutality of its combat are all present and accounted for. It shares Lords of the Fallen's grimdark fantasy aesthetic and a similar sense of tangible weight in its attacks. Many, myself included, would argue that Salt and Sanctuary can be even more punishing than its 3D counterparts, making it a perfect next step for masochists who found Lords of the Fallen's later-game areas a bit too forgiving.

Perhaps you were drawn to Lords of the Fallen not just for the challenge, but for its epic, high-fantasy narrative and the power fantasy of overcoming impossible odds. If that's the case, the Star Wars Jedi series is a phenomenal pick. Specifically, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) and its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Liberator (2025), have perfected the art of narrative-driven Souls-like combat. Playing as Cal Kestis, you'll engage in lightsaber duels that demand precise parries and well-timed dodges, facing down monstrous creatures and powerful Force-wielders that will feel very familiar to any Lords veteran. The storytelling is cinematic and compelling, offering a more guided but no less satisfying experience that marries the best of character action games with the strategic depth of a Souls-like.

If you crave something that hews even closer to the original Lords of the Fallen's (2014) vision of a condensed, focused Souls experience, Mortal Shell is a masterpiece of atmosphere and innovative mechanics. Released in 2020, this game distills the formula into a shorter, more intense experience. Its standout feature, the 'Hardening' mechanic—where you can turn to stone mid-action to block an incoming blow—is as brilliant and strategic as Lords of the Fallen's Umbral lamp. The world is hauntingly beautiful and dripping with melancholy, and the process of mastering different 'Shells' (armored vessels with unique abilities) offers fantastic replayability. The combat is deliberate, deadly, and immensely satisfying, making it a must-play for fans of the genre's more intimate, claustrophobic entries.

Now, let's talk about the elephant, or rather, the Elden Lord, in the room. Elden Ring (2022) is not just a recommendation; it's a pilgrimage. FromSoftware's open-world magnum opus took the foundational principles that Lords of the Fallen builds upon and exploded them across a breathtaking, seamless landscape. The sense of exploration, the jaw-dropping scale of the legacy dungeons, and the sheer variety of builds and enemies are unparalleled. If you enjoyed uncovering the secrets of Mournstead and its Umbral mirror, you will be utterly lost (in the best way) in the Lands Between. In 2026, with its massive Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and years of community discovery, Elden Ring offers hundreds of hours of the highest-quality content the genre has ever produced. The boss fights are legendary, the world is a character in itself, and the freedom it offers is liberating.

For those who prioritize rich, player-driven narratives within a fantasy setting, Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017) remains the gold standard. While its combat is turn-based and tactical rather than real-time, it shares Lords of the Fallen's commitment to a deep, immersive fantasy world where your choices have profound consequences. The freedom to approach problems—combat or otherwise—with incredible creativity is its own form of challenging mastery. If the dark fantasy setting and intricate lore of Lords of the Fallen captivated you, the sprawling, reactive world of Rivellon will be a feast for your imagination, especially in co-op.

If your primary takeaway from Lords of the Fallen was an addiction to supremely tight, deep, and rewarding combat, then the Nioh series is your next obsession. Nioh and Nioh 2 take the Souls-like framework and inject it with the speed, complexity, and loot-driven progression of games like Diablo and Ninja Gaiden. The stance-based combat system (high, mid, low) and the Ki pulse mechanic (which allows you to recover stamina by timing a button press) create a rhythmic, aggressive dance that is uniquely thrilling. Set in a fantastical version of Sengoku-era Japan filled with yokai (demons), these games offer a combat depth that few can match. The boss fights are relentless, demanding mastery of all your tools. For the Lords of the Fallen player who thought, "I wish this combat was even faster and had more combos," Nioh is the answer.

Of course, the world of challenging action RPGs extends beyond the strict "Souls-like" definition. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015, next-gen updated in 2022) offers a narrative and world-building depth that is arguably unmatched, with combat that can be tuned to a significant challenge, especially on higher difficulties. Preparing for a tough contract by researching a monster's weaknesses, brewing the right potions, and using the correct signs captures a different, more methodical kind of preparation that Souls fans often appreciate.

Similarly, Middle-earth: Shadow of War (2017) provides a fantastic open-world power fantasy with a revolutionary Nemesis System that creates dynamic, personal rivalries with orc captains. Its combat, while more akin to the Batman: Arkham series, is fluid and satisfying, and the dark, Tolkien-inspired fantasy setting will feel right at home.

Finally, for the sheer joy of getting lost in a fantasy world and crafting your own adventure, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, with re-releases through 2026) remains an eternal classic. Its first-person immersion and unparalleled modding community on PC allow you to tailor the experience, including its difficulty, to your liking. You can even mod it to feel more like a Souls-like, if you're so inclined!

As we look ahead in 2026, the legacy of challenging, atmospheric action RPGs that Lords of the Fallen is a part of continues to thrive. New titles are constantly emerging, pushing the boundaries of combat, world design, and player agency. The journey that began in Mournstead doesn't have to end; it simply branches out into countless other rich, dangerous, and unforgettable worlds, each waiting to test your resolve and reward your perseverance. The lamp may dim in one realm, but it can always be lit in another.