Steam Spring Sale: Ten discounted Souls-like games for gamers seeking a challenge

The Steam Spring Sale is upon us, with hundreds of thousands of titles receiving hefty discounts. There's something for everyone, and if you're into Souls-likes, here are some titles that might pique your interest. They include a mix of old and new games, many of which have immense replay value.

Nioh and Nioh 2

Nioh (80% discount) and Nioh 2 (50% discount) only open up after you your first playthrough. After all, they're made by Team Ninja, a developer who many argue pioneered the "git gud" genre with Ninja Gaiden. Both games are tough-as-nails with frustrating traps and enemies littered throughout the map. Between the two, you can easily get hundreds of hours of entertainment, provided you persevere. 

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

EA and Respawn Entertainment surprised us all in 2019 by sprinkling Souls-like elements in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It has most of the markings of a Souls game (respawning enemies, bonfires, parries, maps that loop in on each other), but eases up on the stamina bar. It has been discounted by 90% on Steam and requires an EA account to play. Its successor, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has also had its price slashed by 50% but its PC performance leaves a lot to be desired. 

Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant II

The easiest way to describe Remnant: From the Ashes (75% discount) and Remnant II (50% discount) is Dark Souls with guns. Of course, that's a gross oversimplification because both games have lot more going on for them. Hardcore Souls enthusiasts argue they're a bit too easy, but your mileage may vary. And, there's a build-in co-op mode, too.

Another Crab's Treasure

Aggro Crab Games' Another Crab's Treasure is an ode to FromSoftware games (like an area called The Sands Between) and is surprisingly challenging for game packed to the brim with nautical puns. Unlike the above games, it has a light hearted theme and it does an excellent job of talking about the very real problem of marine waste. It wasn't very expensive to begin with, and now, you get a 40% discount. 

Code Vein

Humorously referred to as anime Dark Souls, Code Vein is Bandai Namco's take on the genre. It is an inherently co-op title meant to be played with a friend or an AI-powered companion, although you can plow through it solo if you're skilled enough. It doesn't have the same polish as a FromSoft game, but there are remnants of Dark Souls to be found everywhere, like a boss fight clearly inspired by Ornstein and Smough. You can grab it off Steam with an 85% discount. 

The Surge and The Surge II

The Surge (87% discount) and The Surge II (85% discount) take the quintessential Souls formula and add a few new twists to it. Both games have some unique mechanics, such as the ability to target and cut off enemy body parts to salvage upgrade items. Most of The Surge happens in one giant factory that loops in on itself, while The Surge II is a bit more segmented with multiple areas.

Lies of P

No Souls-like list is complete without Lies of P. While the game has been discounted for a while, this is one you absolutely cannot miss, even at full price. It blends together the best elements from Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to create something that, at times, outshines FromSoftware's own creations. NeoWiz, its developer, has announced the game will get new DLC later this year. All the more reason to buy it now and hone your skills.