Key conclusions
-
Elden Ring
offers the largest variety of enemies in the open world soulslike, offering many challenging enemies. -
Black Myth: Ukun
features a wide range of unique enemies, all deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. -
Nio 2
stands out for its variety of enemies, including a mix of new monsters and many familiar enemies returning from the original.
Games are like souls have become some of the most popular action games today, known for their intense combat, exciting exploration, a variety of weapons, and challenging bosses. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is the variety of common enemies that can greatly enhance the experience during long playthroughs.
Introducing new enemy types throughout the game is critical to keeping players interested, as it forces them to learn new attack patterns and adapt to new challenges. Conversely, reusing the same enemies in different locations can quickly sap the excitement and even make the game repetitive or trivial. Let's explore some of the best soul-like games that feature a variety of enemies, offering a wide variety of opponents that require unique tactics to overcome.
1 Elden Ring
The largest and most diverse
Elden Ringalong with its massive expansion Shadow of Erdtreeis one of the best soul-like open world games available today. The game is impressive on countless levels, and its unprecedented variety of enemies is a key point. For hundreds of hours, players will continue to face new challenges and unique enemies scattered across the vast space Between Them.
From dangerous wild animals to battle-hardened warriors with a wide array of techniques and special attacks, Elden Ring offers endless surprises. Cunning wizards cast devastating spells from afar, while dark, menacing shadows lurk in the deepest corners of dungeons and catacombs, waiting to pounce with deadly attacks. With so many enemy types to discover, some players may not even encounter every unique enemy on their first playthrough, showcasing the game's immense depth and variety.
2 Black Myth: Ukun
A surprisingly large number of enemies in each new chapter
Black Myth: Ukun may be hard to classify strictly as a soulslike game, as it balances traditional action-rpg elements with some soulslike mechanics. However, the exact classification is not of the greatest importance here. What really stands out is that Game Science's debut title boasts an incredible array of unique and engaging enemies across six chapters, keeping players constantly immersed in the game.
The game's adaptive combat system allows for a variety of approaches, making each new encounter a joy to crack. Deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, Black Myth: Ukun offers a continuous stream of new challenges with enemy designs that are not only unique but rarely seen in other games, further enhancing the experience and keeping it exciting for hours.
3 Dark souls 3
Filled with many different creatures to fight
Dark souls 3along with its extensions Dust of Ariandel and The ringed cityoften underestimated due to the variety of common enemies. Although it is a more compact and almost linear adventure compared to Elden Ringit still offers a comparable array of unique enemies to fight. Staying true to FromSoftware's tradition, players are constantly faced with new and challenging enemies, each with their own dangerous habits and a wide range of combat abilities.
Adapting to these threats and learning their tricks is a key part of the fun Dark souls 3. In addition, the company skillfully places difficult late-game enemies in the early stages, guarding secrets to be revealed later, which adds a useful backtracking component for players willing to take on the challenge.
4 Nio 2
Almost all enemies from the first entry return
Nio 2 stands out for its impressive variety of enemies, especially for players who haven't experienced the original. Almost all of the enemies from the first game return in the sequel, along with a host of new demons, humans, and yokai. Even the later Team Ninja titles, for example Wo Long: Fallen Dynastystruggling to match the diverse array of creatures found in the Nio 2.
The design of these monsters is the highlight of the experience, with colorful, memorable and whimsical beasts and demons of all shapes and sizes just waiting for players to get it wrong. Combined with games Diablo-a similar loot system and enemy drop – a feature that is rare in the genre – a rich variety of enemies significantly increases the replay value of the game.
5 Lying P
Lots of different enemies with minimal re-use
Lying P may not reach the level of enemy variety seen in FromSoftware's titles, but with its almost linear structure and unique robapocalypse setting, the game works beautifully. Players primarily encounter three types of enemies—humans (alchemists), puppets, and corpses (monsters)—but each category offers impressive variety. Combined with the game's detailing system, players are encouraged to change gear frequently for maximum effectiveness against different enemies.
In terms of design, Lying P it's a visual treat. The complex puppet models are particularly impressive with detailed animations that allow Pinocchio to take them apart during the fight. Few Soul-like games outside of FromSoftware manage to feel as distinctive and rewarding as Lying P when it comes to enemy designs and progress.
6 Bloodborne
The unique setting and secret locations allow for a large variety of enemies
Bloodborne rightfully takes its place among the best games for enemy variety, even ten years after its release. The game's unique, mystery-filled environment—with secret areas and wildly different locations such as catacombs, villages, city streets, castles, and swamps—creates an exciting backdrop for an impressive array of monsters. Some of the creatures players encounter could easily be classified as nightmare fuel.
In keeping with FromSoftware tradition, each enemy has a distinct set of moves and combat patterns, keeping encounters fresh even when you're fighting different versions of the same enemy later in the game. From aggressive villagers with packs of dogs and rock-throwing giants to terrifying space creatures and unexplained horrors, Bloodborne consistently creates new challenges and keeps the experience engaging until the very end.
