A fantastic collection of indie action games that creatively stretch the "souls-like" label. From janky co-op fun and stylish speedrunners to unique genre-blends, this showcase is packed with hidden gems that prove innovation is thriving.
The modern indie landscape offers a vast and diverse array of action games, many of which draw inspiration from challenging, combat-focused titles. This results in a spectrum of experiences, from cooperative physics-based adventures to high-speed parkour challenges. The label of "souls-like" often becomes a loose signifier for difficulty and methodical combat, but developers creatively interpret this foundation, leading to a renaissance of mechanical ingenuity and unexpected genre fusions.
Specific titles exemplify this creative divergence. Soul Chained physically binds two players together, turning simple navigation and combat into a chaotic, cooperative puzzle. In contrast, Aero Machina presents a fluid 3D platformer with a highly stylized aesthetic and satisfying, momentum-based movement abilities. Games like Burning Sword: Death Sun focus entirely on delivering a cinematic, Wuxia-inspired combat system that emphasizes parries and spectacular special moves. Meanwhile, Blood Thief channels the spirit of speedrunning titles like Neon White, demanding precision and constant forward momentum to achieve mastery.
Beyond direct combat, other games innovate by blending genres. Berggeist brilliantly combines third-person magic combat with real-time strategy and tower defense, where commanding a giant, customizable war machine is as important as personal skill. The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot offers a physics-based sandbox inspired by Dark Messiah, encouraging players to use the environment as their primary weapon. Even more atmospheric titles like Hell is Us use a foundation of deliberate combat to support a narrative focused on exploration and environmental mystery. These examples demonstrate that the indie space is a fertile ground for redefining action gameplay.
