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View Dark Souls game details

GAMES LIKE

What makes Dark Souls distinctive?

Start with its Game DNA: Mastery challenge / Discovery-led / Role immersion experience; Dark / Mysterious / Bleak mood; Combat / Exploration / Character Building / Discovery gameplay; Action RPG / RPG genre; Interconnected structure. These recorded characteristics shape the comparisons below.

Its experience centers on learning through repeated attempts and improving execution; progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces; inhabiting and developing a character within a world. Mood describes the atmosphere; Experience describes how you engage with the game.

LESS COMMON DNA IN OUR LIBRARY

Dark Souls — GAME DNA

View complete Game DNA
experience
Mastery challenge · Discovery-led · Role immersion
mood
Dark · Mysterious · Bleak
genre
Action RPG · RPG
gameplay
Combat · Exploration · Character Building · Discovery
structure
Interconnected
pacing
Balanced
perspective
Third-person
difficulty
Hard
era
2010s

BEST MATCH

The highest semantic similarity in the current library. Ratings do not influence this choice.

GAMEBOX algorithmic assessments of editorial Game DNA. Confidence describes overlap strength, not a probability of enjoyment.

2009

Demon's Souls

85% SIMILAR

VERY STRONG MATCH

Mastery challenge · Discovery-led · Bleak · Mysterious · Action RPG · RPG

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces); Bleak / Mysterious mood; Action RPG / RPG genre.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Mastery challenge · Role immersion100% distinctive overlap · 74.0 / 74.0 points
  • mood: Bleak · Dark · Mysterious100% distinctive overlap · 70.9 / 70.9 points
  • genre: Action RPG · RPG100% distinctive overlap · 28.9 / 28.9 points
  • gameplay: Character Building · Combat · Discovery · Exploration100% distinctive overlap · 24.5 / 24.5 points
  • structure: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 27.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: Third-person100% distinctive overlap · 6.6 / 6.6 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 6.8 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points

HIDDEN GEM

A shared-DNA alternative highlighted by a provisional GAMEBOX Hidden Gem rating of 99/100.

GAMEBOX algorithmic assessments of editorial Game DNA. Confidence describes overlap strength, not a probability of enjoyment.

2000

Vagrant Story

52% SIMILAR

GOOD MATCH

Mastery challenge · Role immersion · Action RPG · RPG · Mysterious · Dark

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); Action RPG / RPG genre; Mysterious / Dark mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Mastery challenge · Role immersion40% distinctive overlap · 29.5 / 74.1 points
  • mood: Dark · Mysterious35% distinctive overlap · 25.6 / 72.4 points
  • genre: Action RPG · RPG100% distinctive overlap · 28.9 / 28.9 points
  • gameplay: Character Building · Combat · Exploration41% distinctive overlap · 11.2 / 26.9 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 11.1 points
  • perspective: Third-person100% distinctive overlap · 6.6 / 6.6 points
  • difficulty: Hard100% distinctive overlap · 4.6 / 4.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points

SURPRISE ME

A different series and a less-obvious direction, connected by distinctive Mastery challenge / Mysterious DNA. Explore a contrast to the closest recommendation.

GAMEBOX algorithmic assessments of editorial Game DNA. Confidence describes overlap strength, not a probability of enjoyment.

2017

Hollow Knight

52% SIMILAR

GOOD MATCH

Mastery challenge · Discovery-led · Mysterious

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces); Mysterious mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Mastery challenge72% distinctive overlap · 55.3 / 76.9 points
  • mood: Mysterious20% distinctive overlap · 14.1 / 71.2 points
  • genre: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 31.1 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Discovery · Exploration74% distinctive overlap · 18.2 / 24.4 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 10.6 points
  • difficulty: Hard100% distinctive overlap · 4.6 / 4.6 points
  • era: 2010s100% distinctive overlap · 4.8 / 4.8 points

MORE GAMES WITH THIS DNA

Continue exploring shared identity, interaction and context. Similarity describes recorded DNA overlap, not a probability that you will enjoy a game.

GAMEBOX algorithmic assessments of editorial Game DNA. Confidence describes overlap strength, not a probability of enjoyment.

1997

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

58% SIMILAR

GOOD MATCH

Mastery challenge · Discovery-led · Mysterious

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces); Mysterious mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Mastery challenge · Role immersion100% distinctive overlap · 74.0 / 74.0 points
  • mood: Mysterious20% distinctive overlap · 14.1 / 71.2 points
  • genre: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 31.1 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Discovery · Exploration74% distinctive overlap · 18.2 / 24.4 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 10.6 points
  • difficulty: Hard100% distinctive overlap · 4.6 / 4.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.6 points

1994

Super Metroid

50% SIMILAR

GOOD MATCH

Mastery challenge · Discovery-led · Mysterious

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces); Mysterious mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Mastery challenge72% distinctive overlap · 55.3 / 76.9 points
  • mood: Mysterious20% distinctive overlap · 14.1 / 71.2 points
  • genre: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 31.1 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Discovery · Exploration74% distinctive overlap · 18.2 / 24.4 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 10.6 points
  • difficulty: Hard100% distinctive overlap · 4.6 / 4.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.6 points

2002

Metroid Prime

32% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Mysterious

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces); Mysterious mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led25% distinctive overlap · 18.6 / 73.3 points
  • mood: Mysterious20% distinctive overlap · 14.1 / 71.2 points
  • genre: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 31.1 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Discovery · Exploration74% distinctive overlap · 18.2 / 24.4 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 11.1 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 7.3 points
  • difficulty: Hard100% distinctive overlap · 4.6 / 4.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points

2002

Arx Fatalis

32% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Role immersion · Mysterious · RPG

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); Mysterious mood; RPG genre.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Role immersion34% distinctive overlap · 26.2 / 76.0 points
  • mood: Mysterious22% distinctive overlap · 14.0 / 65.1 points
  • genre: RPG21% distinctive overlap · 5.9 / 28.2 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Exploration27% distinctive overlap · 7.0 / 25.7 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 11.1 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 7.3 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 3.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points

1998

Banjo-Kazooie

31% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Mastery challenge · Discovery-led

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Mastery challenge experiences (learning through repeated attempts and improving execution) and Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces).

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Mastery challenge72% distinctive overlap · 55.3 / 76.9 points
  • mood: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 71.6 points
  • genre: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 29.2 points
  • gameplay: Discovery25% distinctive overlap · 7.8 / 31.2 points
  • structure: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 27.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: Third-person100% distinctive overlap · 6.6 / 6.6 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 3.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.6 points

2011

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

30% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Role immersion · RPG

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); RPG genre.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Role immersion46% distinctive overlap · 33.4 / 71.8 points
  • mood: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 59.1 points
  • genre: RPG34% distinctive overlap · 8.2 / 24.2 points
  • gameplay: Character Building · Exploration31% distinctive overlap · 7.1 / 23.1 points
  • structure: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: Third-person45% distinctive overlap · 3.1 / 6.9 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 3.6 points
  • era: 2010s100% distinctive overlap · 4.8 / 4.8 points

1998

Shadow Tower

30% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Role immersion · Action RPG · Dark

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); Action RPG genre; Dark mood.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Role immersion35% distinctive overlap · 26.4 / 74.9 points
  • mood: Dark13% distinctive overlap · 10.3 / 78.1 points
  • genre: Action RPG36% distinctive overlap · 13.0 / 36.3 points
  • gameplay: Combat · Exploration19% distinctive overlap · 5.7 / 29.8 points
  • structure: Interconnected100% distinctive overlap · 25.7 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 11.1 points
  • perspective: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 7.3 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 6.8 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.6 points

2000

Skies of Arcadia

29% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Role immersion · RPG

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); RPG genre.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Role immersion45% distinctive overlap · 33.0 / 73.5 points
  • mood: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 59.1 points
  • genre: RPG34% distinctive overlap · 8.2 / 24.2 points
  • gameplay: Character Building · Exploration31% distinctive overlap · 7.1 / 23.1 points
  • structure: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: Third-person100% distinctive overlap · 6.6 / 6.6 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 3.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points

2006

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

28% SIMILAR

LIMITED MATCH

Discovery-led · Role immersion · RPG

WHY IT'S SIMILAR

Both games share Discovery-led experiences (progressing through curiosity and finding new knowledge or spaces) and Role immersion experiences (inhabiting and developing a character within a world); RPG genre.

Similarity breakdown
  • experience: Discovery-led · Role immersion46% distinctive overlap · 33.4 / 71.8 points
  • mood: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 59.1 points
  • genre: RPG34% distinctive overlap · 8.2 / 24.2 points
  • gameplay: Character Building · Exploration31% distinctive overlap · 7.1 / 23.1 points
  • structure: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 25.7 points
  • pacing: Balanced100% distinctive overlap · 12.0 / 12.0 points
  • perspective: Third-person45% distinctive overlap · 3.1 / 6.9 points
  • difficulty: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 3.6 points
  • era: No shared values0% distinctive overlap · 0.0 / 4.2 points