Best Games Like Elden Ring for Challenging Open World Exploration

If Elden Ring left you craving more punishing yet rewarding open worlds, the top pick is Dark Souls 3. It delivers the same brutal combat, intricate level design, and sense of discovery, but in a more linear and tightly crafted package that still respects your time. While not fully open world, its interconnected areas and relentless difficulty make it the closest spiritual successor in terms of challenge and exploration.

What to Look For

When searching for games that scratch the Elden Ring itch, focus on these core criteria:

• Meaningful Exploration: The world should reward curiosity with hidden bosses, powerful gear, or lore fragments, not just collectibles.
• High Difficulty with Fairness: Expect to die, but deaths should feel like learning opportunities, not cheap shots. Check for telegraphed attacks and consistent rules.
• Build Variety: A good action RPG lets you customize your playstyle—melee, magic, stealth, or hybrid—and respects those choices in combat.
• Atmospheric World-Building: The setting should feel lived-in and mysterious, with environmental storytelling that makes you want to explore every corner.
• Boss Design: Memorable, challenging bosses with distinct movesets are essential. Look for fights that require pattern recognition and strategic adaptation.
• Player Agency: The ability to choose your path, tackle challenges in different orders, or even skip optional content is a hallmark of the genre.

Dark Souls 3

Strengths: This is the most refined iteration of the classic Souls formula. The combat is fast, responsive, and weighty, with boss fights that are widely considered among the best in the series. The world is a series of interconnected, sprawling areas that loop back on themselves, rewarding exploration with shortcuts and secrets. It also has a robust multiplayer system for co-op and PvP.

Trade-offs: It is not an open world; it is a linear progression with branching paths. You cannot freely roam a single massive map like in Elden Ring. The tone is also relentlessly bleak, with little respite or NPC warmth.

Who it suits: Players who loved Elden Ring’s combat and boss design but found the open world overwhelming or empty. If you prefer a more curated, handcrafted experience with less backtracking, this is ideal.

Nioh 2

Strengths: Nioh 2 takes the Souls formula and injects it with deep, action-game mechanics inspired by Ninja Gaiden and Diablo. The combat is incredibly deep, with stance switching, ki pulses, and a massive array of weapons and skills. The Yokai abilities add a layer of offensive and defensive options. It also features a mission-based structure with a hub, making it easy to jump in and out, and a loot system that offers constant build tinkering.

Trade-offs: The world is not open—it is a series of discrete missions, often set in similar Japanese castle or battlefield environments. The loot system can feel overwhelming with constant inventory management. The difficulty is also punishing in a different way, focusing on precise timing and stamina management rather than just pattern recognition.

Who it suits: Players who want a more mechanically demanding combat system and enjoy character-building through gear and skill trees. If you prefer action over exploration, this is a perfect fit.

Hollow Knight

Strengths: This is a 2D Metroidvania that captures the essence of Elden Ring’s exploration and challenge. The world of Hallownest is vast, interconnected, and full of secrets, with a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a haunting soundtrack. Combat is tight and fair, with a focus on positioning and timing. Bosses are challenging but always fair, and the sense of discovery is immense.

Trade-offs: It is 2D, so there is no vertical combat or 3D movement. The difficulty spikes can be brutal, and some late-game content is extremely punishing. The story is told almost entirely through environmental clues and cryptic NPC dialogue, which may not appeal to everyone.

Who it suits: Players who love the feeling of getting lost and uncovering a mysterious world, and who don’t mind a 2D perspective. If you want a game that respects your intelligence and rewards patience, this is a top choice.

Remnant: From the Ashes

Strengths: This is a third-person shooter with Souls-like mechanics, set in a procedurally generated post-apocalyptic world. It offers challenging combat against a variety of monstrous creatures, with a focus on dodging, stamina management, and weak-point shooting. The co-op is excellent, allowing up to three players to tackle the campaign together. The procedurally generated levels mean each playthrough offers different layouts and boss encounters.

Trade-offs: The world is not a single open map; it is a hub that connects to multiple, randomly generated zones. The story is thin, and the focus is clearly on gameplay and co-op. The difficulty can be frustrating with random enemy spawns and some unfair boss attacks.

Who it suits: Players who want a challenging action RPG but prefer ranged combat and enjoy playing with friends. If you like the idea of replayability through procedural generation, this is a strong contender.

Mortal Shell

Strengths: A more compact and focused Souls-like that emphasizes deliberate, methodical combat. The unique “Shell” system lets you inhabit different bodies, each with its own stats and abilities, adding a layer of strategy. The “Harden” mechanic allows you to turn to stone mid-attack, creating interesting offensive and defensive opportunities. The world is dark, oppressive, and visually striking, with a strong sense of atmosphere.

Trade-offs: It is a short game (around 10-15 hours) and the world is relatively small compared to other entries. The combat is slower and more deliberate, which may feel clunky to those used to Elden Ring’s fluidity. There are only four shells and a limited weapon variety.

Who it suits: Players who want a tight, high-quality Souls-like without a massive time commitment. If you appreciate a more tactical, weighty combat system and a dark fantasy aesthetic, this is a great option.

Code Vein

Strengths: This anime-styled Souls-like offers a unique twist: you play as a Revenant vampire who needs blood to survive. The “Blood Code” system allows for extensive build customization, similar to classes, and the companion AI is genuinely helpful, making solo play more accessible. The story is more present and character-driven than most Souls games, with a post-apocalyptic vampire setting.

Trade-offs: The level design is more linear and less interconnected than other Souls-likes. The difficulty is generally lower, especially with a companion, which may not satisfy hardcore players. The anime aesthetic and story may not appeal to everyone.

Who it suits: Players who want a Souls-like with a stronger narrative and character interactions, and who enjoy anime art styles. If you find the loneliness of Elden Ring off-putting, this provides a more social experience.

How to Choose

Your choice ultimately depends on your budget, preferred setting, and how much time you have.

• Budget: If you are on a tight budget, Hollow Knight offers incredible value at a low price. Mortal Shell is also often discounted and provides a shorter, quality experience. For a premium price, Dark Souls 3 and Nioh 2 offer the most content and replayability.
• Use Case: If you want to play with friends, Remnant: From the Ashes is the best co-op experience. If you prefer solo play, Dark Souls 3 and Hollow Knight are superb. If you want a game you can pick up for short sessions, Nioh 2‘s mission structure is ideal.
• Trade-offs: The biggest trade-off is between open world vs. linear. If the open world is essential, Dark Souls 3 is not for you; consider Elden Ring itself or Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (though its combat is less precise). If you want pure combat depth, Nioh 2 wins. If you want exploration and atmosphere, Hollow Knight is unmatched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dark Souls 3 harder than Elden Ring?

It is comparably difficult, but the linearity means less opportunity to overlevel. Bosses are often faster and more aggressive, so it can feel more intense.

Can I play Nioh 2 without playing the first?

Yes, the story is standalone, and the mechanics are fully explained. It is a great entry point.

Is Hollow Knight really like Elden Ring?

In terms of exploration, atmosphere, and boss difficulty, yes. The 2D perspective is the main difference, but the sense of discovery is very similar.

Which game has the best co-op?

Remnant: From the Ashes is designed for co-op and is the most accessible. Dark Souls 3 has co-op, but it is more limited and can be invaded by other players.

Are there any open-world games like Elden Ring?

Besides Elden Ring itself, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen offers a large open world with challenging combat, though it is older. Monster Hunter: World also has large maps and tough bosses, but it is mission-based.

Which game is the most rewarding to master?

Nioh 2 has the deepest combat system, and mastering its mechanics is extremely satisfying. Dark Souls 3 also rewards learning boss patterns deeply.

Bottom Line

If you want the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of combat and challenge, Dark Souls 3 is the definitive choice. If you prefer a 2D exploration masterpiece, Hollow Knight is unbeatable. For co-op, pick Remnant: From the Ashes. For deep combat, choose Nioh 2. Each offers a unique flavor of challenge, and all are worthy of your time.

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