Key points
-
Elden Ring
offers the greatest variety of enemies in an open-world soulslike, offering a wide range of challenging enemies. -
Black Myth: Wukong
features a wide range of unique enemies, all deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. -
Nioh 2
excels in enemy diversity, with a mix of new monsters and many familiar foes returning from the original.
Soul games have become some of the most popular action titles today, known for their intense combat, immersive exploration, diverse weapon choices, and challenging bosses. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is the variety of regular enemies, which can greatly improve the experience during extended games.
Introducing new enemy types throughout the game is key 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 dampen the excitement and even make the game feel repetitive or banal. We explore some of the best soulslike games that excel in enemy diversity, offering a wide range of enemies that require unique tactics to overcome.
1 Elden Ring
The largest and most varied
Elden Ringalong with its massive expansion The shadow of the Erdtreeis one of the best open-world soulslike games available today. The game impresses on countless levels, and its unmatched variety of enemies is a highlight. Over the course of hundreds of hours, players will continue to encounter new challenges and unique enemies spread across the vast expanse of Middle-earth.
From dangerous wildlife to battle-hardened warriors who wield a wide range of special moves and attacks, Elden Ring offers relentless 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 encounter all of the unique enemies in their first playthrough, demonstrating the depth and variety the game offers.
2 Black Myth: Wukong
Surprisingly large array of enemies in each new chapter
Black Myth: Wukong it can be difficult to classify it strictly as a soulslike game, as it balances traditional action RPG elements with some soulslike mechanics. However, the exact classification is not what matters most here. What really stands out is that Game Science's debut title boasts an incredible array of unique and engaging enemies across its six chapters, keeping players constantly immersed.
The game's responsive combat system allows for different approaches, making each new encounter a pleasure to crack. Rooted deeply in Chinese mythology, Black Myth: Wukong offers a constant flow of new challenges with enemy designs that are not only unique but also rarely seen in other games, further elevating the experience and keeping it captivating for hours on end.
3 Dark Souls 3
Full of tons of different creatures to fight
Dark Souls 3along with its expansions Ashes of Ariandel AND The ringed cityhe is often underestimated due to his variety of usual enemies. Although it is a more compact and almost linear adventure compared to Elden Ringstill offers a comparable array of unique enemies to fight. Staying true to FromSoftware's traditions, players must continually face new and challenging enemies, each with their own dangerous habits and wide range of combat abilities.
Adapting to these threats and learning their tricks is a key part of satisfaction Dark Souls 3. Additionally, the campaign cleverly places more difficult enemies late in the game, guarding secrets destined to be discovered later, which adds a rewarding backtracking component for players willing to take on the challenge.
4 Nioh 2
Almost all the enemies from the first entry return
Nioh 2 stands out for its impressive variety of enemies, especially for players who have not experienced the original. Nearly all of the enemies from the first game return in the sequel, along with a host of new demons, humans, and yokai. Even later Team Ninja titles, for example Wo Long: Fallen Dynastythey struggle to match the vast array of creatures found in Nioh 2.
The design of these monsters is one of the highlights of the experience, with colorful, memorable, and richly detailed beasts and demons in all shapes and sizes, just waiting for players to make a mistake. Along with those in the game DiabloSimilar to the loot system and enemy drops – a feature rarely seen in the genre – the rich enemy variety significantly increases the game's replayability.
5 Lies by P
Many different enemies with minimal reuse
Lies by P it may not reach the level of enemy variety seen in FromSoftware titles, but due to its almost linear structure and unique robopocalypse setting, the game performs admirably. Players primarily encounter three types of enemies: humans (alchemists), puppets, and carcasses (monsters), but each category offers impressive variety. Combined with the game's item ranking system, players are encouraged to switch gear frequently to maximize efficiency against different enemies.
From a design point of view, Lies by P It's a visual treat. Particularly impressive are the intricate models of the puppets, with detailed animations that allow Pinocchio to dismantle them piece by piece during the fight. Few non-FromSoftware soulslike games manage to feel as distinctive and rewarding as they do Lies by P when it comes to enemy design and progression.
6 Blood
Unique environments and secret locations allow for a great diversity of enemies
Blood it rightfully earns a place among the best games for enemy variety, even a decade after its release. The game's unique and mystery-filled setting, with secret areas and locations as diverse as catacombs, villages, city streets, castles and swamps, creates an immersive backdrop for an impressive array of monsters. Some of the creatures players encounter could easily be classified as nightmare fuel.
True to FromSoftware's tradition, each enemy has a distinct set of moves and fighting patterns, making encounters feel fresh even when fighting variations of the same enemy later in the game. From aggressive villagers with packs of dogs and stone-throwing giants to eerie cosmic beings and unexplained horrors, Blood constantly offers new challenges and keeps the experience engaging until the end.