10 Best Dark Souls Games That AREN'T Dark Souls
1. Hollow Knight
Another 2D Metroidvania game adapting the Dark Souls formula. Hollow Knight is best described as Pixar-does-Dark Souls. The game's characters are based on insects, and each one is beautifully drawn and lovingly animated. The player controls an unnamed diminutive knight - referred to as “little ghost” throughout the game.
Much like the lands of Lordran, Drangleic, and Lothric, you’ll arrive at Hallownest after its inhabitants have gone mad and the world is on the verge of a further cataclysm.
During the adventure you’ll accumulate “Charms” which can be equipped to grant new abilities or alter existing ones - sometimes drastically. Interestingly, casting spells and healing consume the same resource in Hollow Knight, so there’s an interesting balance to be struck between firepower and healing, particularly when fighting some of the game’s harder bosses.
Hollow Knight’s world is brimming with secrets for inquisitive players to discover. As in Dark Souls, exploring the world fully will open shortcuts or new hidden areas.
A follow up, Hollow Knight: Silksong, was originally planned as DLC but has since been expanded to a full sequel and is scheduled for a 2021 release.