Greatest Soulslike Sport Maps

In any self-respecting Soulslike title, the map has a premium positioned upon it. It is one factor to be a precision-based motion recreation with difficult fight and grueling boss fights, however it’s a wholly different factor to tie every little thing collectively in a world that additionally feels rewarding to discover.

That is the place not all Soulslikes are created equally, and the place it is fairly obviously clear that sure mainstay builders within the style have this facet of those titles perfected to a T. Sure, there are many nice video games within the style, however the ones that stand the take a look at of time all the time handle to take their design one step additional.

That is why in the present day, we will look again at 9 Soulslike journeys which have the most effective maps within the enterprise. I’ve factored in format, vibe, and design to be able to rank the eight entries beneath. And sure, FromSoftware type of ended up dominating these picks ultimately. However are you able to blame me?

9

One other Crab’s Treasure

Shrimpy, However Strong

Beginning off with a little bit of a wildcard, I will go to my watery grave preventing for One other Crab’s Treasure’s seat on the Soulslike desk. It is a way more digestible and manageable entry into the style, however it’s additionally merely a pleasure to play.

And people good emotions lengthen to the sport’s map format as nicely. To begin with, it is vibrant and filled with shade when it must be, and in addition captures the darkish, terrifying depths of the ocean floor when that is referred to as for as nicely.

It additionally has loads of secrets and techniques, good pseudo-open areas to discover and discover loot in, bosses to stumble upon, and loads of ranges in complete which might be all well-designed and enjoyable to traverse round. No, it isn’t essentially the most impressively sprawling instance on the record, however it is perhaps essentially the most straight-up enjoyable.

8

Lies of P

Nostril Goes

Lies of P is a considerably linear Soulslike expertise generally, however that also would not low cost every space throughout the recreation from being extremely well-planned out and packed filled with secrets and techniques, shortcuts, and alternate paths. The extent of interconnectivity in comparison with some others additional down this record is decrease, certain. However for what Lies of P goes for, that is okay.

The town of Krat, whereas clearly impressed by Bloodborne/Yharnam, is completely haunting and breathtaking alike, crammed with scores of nooks and crannies to seek for objects each step of the way in which. Let’s additionally not overlook Krat Resort itself, which serves as the sport’s Firelink Shrine-esque hubworld, and a tremendous rendition of 1 besides.

Every little thing surrounding Krat Correct is superior too, from rundown puppet factories to bizarre cathedrals and every little thing in between.

7

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Grappling Souls

Sekiro is one other Soulslike map that may be written off as considerably linear compared to others, however to take action can be ignoring the verticality that FromSoftware launched to the system with this one. Due to Wolf’s grappling hook mechanic, the map of Sekiro is unlocked like no different FromSoftware recreation earlier than it (or since).

This sense of verticality makes in any other case small sections of the map now ripe with prospects, as getting the drop of enemies beneath you on the bottom begins to mould and form your mind into eager about traversing the sport in hyper-specific, planned-out paths.

Ashina is kind of the looker all through, too. From’s tackle this mystical model of Feudal Japan seems so persistently polished and attention-grabbing to take a look at, and it is a pleasure to work by way of… when you do not get smashed into the bottom repeatedly by among the style’s most brutal encounters up to now.

6

Darkish Souls 3

A Little Linear, A Lot of Superior

As most likely my private favourite online game of all time, I’ve develop into considerably of a Darkish Souls 3 apologist. Certain, it is a beloved title by most followers of the style, however not many individuals speak in regards to the recreation’s map particularly. After they do, there is a little bit of a working joke that Darkish Souls 3 is only a collection of hallways, and arguably From’s most linear recreation in historical past.

I can concede that it objectively is extra linear than different titles, certain. However like we already talked about in video games like Lies of P earlier on this record, I do not actually care a lot when the map continues to be so nicely planned-out, dotted completely with enemies precisely the place they must be, and simply so dang cool to take a look at.

I dare anybody to think about a greater vista than crawling out of the Catacombs and seeing Irithyll of the Boreal Valley for the primary time. Yeah, you won’t have to consider your route-planning too significantly completely in DS3, however the recreation map goes to appear and feel wonderful the entire method regardless.

5

Bloodborne

Winding Alleys of Horror

On a private stage, regardless of being an enormous FromSoftware fan (clearly), Bloodborne is not actually near my favourite recreation from the developer. It is nonetheless nice, however did not seize me in comparison with its brothers, each youthful and older alike. However dang, if Yharnam and every little thing surrounding it is not one of many coolest online game maps of all time.

Right here, we see FromSoftware working close to the height of their powers with dozens of shortcuts and gates to unlock to be able to circle again to lamp posts you’ve got discovered earlier than to create new paths by way of the phobia each step of the way in which. As most likely From’s scariest recreation (although I feel there is a case for DS3 too, to be trustworthy), the vibes are additionally completely off the charts in Bloodborne all through.

The one adverse right here actually is the sport nonetheless being capped at 30 FPS, as a result of Sony doesn’t want us to have nice things. However sheesh, think about this recreation working at 4K/60 FPS sometime (or higher), and it would climb a number of extra spots on the record.

4

Elden Ring

Souls Goes Open World

Apart from Patrick Star and anybody else that is been residing beneath his rock/home with him, everybody already is aware of about Elden Ring, and for good purpose. As FromSoftware’s first foray into the open-world style, it switched issues up tremendously. Effectively, form of. To be trustworthy, it actually does simply really feel like open-world Darkish Souls, which is why it wasn’t even that stunning to see DS bosses begin to present up in Nightreign regardless that it is senseless by any means.

All of that apart, a large a part of what makes Elden Ring so memorable is The Lands Between, which takes up a humongous chunk of map actual property to seize its entirety, significantly if you issue within the DLC space of Shadow Of The Erdtree as nicely. It’s, inevitably, mildly extra empty at instances in comparison with different FromSoftware titles, however that does not make the design any much less standout.

I will always remember going underground for the primary time in Elden Ring and realizing simply how a lot sq. footage areas like Siofra and Ainsel added to the equation. Getting transported to Farum Azula with out warning was each thrilling and terrifying. Really, Elden Ring’s map is loaded with iconic and unforgettable moments, and I adore it for that.

3

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

A Fashionable Throwback

This one is perhaps a little bit of a sizzling take, particularly after how a lot I simply gushed about Elden Ring’s map format, however Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is my private runner-up by way of 3D Soulslike maps. Wuchang was a recreation I did not know what to anticipate from going into it, and I walked away fully floored by the map and all of its intricacies.

Not because the authentic Darkish Souls had I encountered a 3D recreation world so interconnected, chained collectively by shortcuts, and expertly paced. Many ranges additionally add in an ideal sense of verticality, and the result’s space after space crammed to the brim with locations to discover and uncover by yourself.

Name it imitation or inspiration, however you will additionally discover FromSoftware staples like invisible walkways, fakeout Bonfires, and every little thing else you’ve got come to know and anticipate from a Soulslike. Wuchang simply does all of it completely, weaving a tapestry of pathways and doorways that consistently amazed me once I realized Space X linked to Space Y in spite of everything.

2

Hole Knight: Silksong

The Most Insane 2D Map Ever

The one 2D consultant on this record, Hole Knight: Silksong has one of the crucial ridiculously complicated, sprawling, inventive map layouts I’ve ever seen in my life. On a private stage, the sport itself wasn’t certainly one of my favorites of 2025, however the map was nonetheless most likely the very best one I encountered.

It is also simply so well-animated, so stunning, so disgusting, so terrifying, and so distinctive all on the identical time. Add in the truth that it is all additionally a map that should operate as a ridiculously tight and exact platforming expertise, and it truly is insane what Crew Cherry pulled off with Silksong.

We simply do not ever want to speak about Bilewater ever once more. Thanks very a lot.

1

Darkish Souls

The Traditional for a Purpose

Claiming the highest spot on the record, in fact, is the unique Darkish Souls. All these years later, there is not any different instance in the whole Soulslike style of a map that’s so expertly crafted and laid out.

Firelink Shrine is iconic, serving because the hub that each new tendril of the map slinks away from earlier than turning into yet one more sprawling, interconnected space of the sport. However then, you begin to discover how some areas hyperlink again to others. Or how sure shortcuts spit you again out at Firelink as soon as once more. Or how you’ve got a number of choices for find out how to get to Blighttown. Or how Blighttown connects you to Ash Lake. It is all insane, and feels infinite in its reveals the primary time you expertise it.

After which, after enjoying by way of the entire recreation, you see among the map diagrams that lay out simply how vertical, linked, and layered on high of one another each space really is. The map in Darkish Souls is a feat in online game engineering, and the Soulslike style has but to high it.

Subsequent

The Greatest Soulslike From Each Console Technology

The Soulslike that dominated their respective Console Technology