Indie Soulslike: our top 5 games of 2026 (Steam)
There's nothing like a game that teaches you precision animation timing and the importance of dodging enemy attacks.
If you're new to the genre or a veteran soulslike sweat, you're probably looking for the next title that will have you questioning your life choices. Indie developers are delivering some of the most creative and punishing soulslike experiences on Steam this year. Whether you're hunting your next brutal dungeon crawler, a dark fantasy action RPG, or a boss-rush that demands frame-perfect execution, 2026 is stacked.
Here are the top 5 indie soulslike games you need to wishlist… or rage-quit:
1. Spark in the Dark
Early Access, April 2026
Spark in the Dark is the hardcore dungeon crawler dark fantasy fans have been waiting for. You play as one of five hero classes, each with unique abilities, diving deeper and deeper into an ancient, grim dungeon that existed long before humans. Think procedurally generated loot and enemy stats, permadeath stakes, and a lore system packed with nearly a hundred books and annals to sink into. This feels like an old-school dungeon crawling with soulslike DNA. It’s giving isometric Bloodborne, and it’s available to play in Early Access now.
2. Lunarium
Coming 2026
One of the most visually stunning upcoming indie soulslikes on Steam, looking like a love-child of Hades and Nier Automata. Lunarium is a top-down atmospheric fantasy action RPG where you control Ave, a light-armored knight, alongside Lune, a mysterious magic-wielding Starfarer. Together, they journey across multiple collapsing worlds to retrieve lost starlight and recover forgotten memories. For those who notice the details: the UI, embroidery system and skill tree are meticulously designed. No release date locked yet, but this one is absolutely worth a wishlist.
3. False Hero
Coming 2026
Built entirely by a solo developer over six years, False Hero is a fast-paced soulslike adventure with a genuinely unique combat hook: your mask lets you steal your enemies' attacks. Kill an enemy, learn their move, chain it into your own combos. The more enemies you defeat, the more deadly your personal arsenal becomes. If you’re a fan of Iron Pineapple, you’ve likely already seen some hilariously chaotic gameplay featuring the protagonist hurling books at monks. Wishlist it now, it’s definitely one for your soulslike catalogue.
4. Alabaster Dawn
Early Access, May 2026
From the creators of the beloved indie cult classic CrossCode, Alabaster Dawn is a 2.5D top-down action RPG with soulslike-inspired combat depth and an absolutely massive scope. 30 to 60 hours of planned content, 7 unique areas, and more build variety than most full-price AAA titles.
Combat draws inspiration from Devil May Cry and Kingdom Hearts: four elements, eight unique weapons, individual skill trees per weapon, and divine arts to chain together. It's fast, stylish, and deeply rewarding for players who invest in learning it. The open world encourages exploration, puzzle-solving, and settlement-building alongside the combat grind. A free demo is available right now on Steam… go play it!
5. Alstan
Coming Soon, 2026
Alstan is the wildcard on this list, and one of the most culturally fresh takes on the soulslike formula in years. The semi-open desert world, fast-paced combat, and exploration mechanics involving climbing, sand-sliding, and hidden ruins give it a distinct feel from the usual medieval European dark fantasy aesthetic that dominates the genre. The moral tension of wielding a power that slowly corrupts you is peak soulslike storytelling. Created as a graduation project by the student team at Mirage Company, Alstan punches well above its weight class… and it's free to play. Grab the demo, support the team, and keep this one on your radar.
Special Mention: Kristala
Early Access, April 2026 Update
We couldn't write a 2026 indie soulslike roundup without mentioning Kristala, the dark fantasy ARPG where you play as a feline warrior uncovering a mysterious curse threatening the world of Ailur. With challenging deflection-based combat, fluid parkour traversal, deep character customization, and a magic system built around 16 equipable spells, Kristala has been steadily building its community since its Early Access launch in 2024. PC Gamer called the design "just brilliant stuff" and SplatterCatGaming noted the combat feels on par with AAA RPGs. With new chapters dropping throughout 2026 and a full release on the horizon, now is a great time to jump in.
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The indie soulslike scene in 2026 is absolutely thriving.
Whether you're drawn to punishing dungeon crawls, atmospheric narrative ARPGs, or fast-paced skill-mastery combat, there's something on this list that will eat your free time and make you love every second of the suffering. Add them to your Steam wishlist, your future exhausted self will thank you.