9 Most Anticipated Souls-Like Games Releasing in 2026: Release Dates and What To Expect

What to know

• 2026 is stacked with Unreal Engine 5–powered souls-likes.
• Several major sequels are arriving, including Mortal Shell 2 and Lords of the Fallen 2.
• Most titles target PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
• Expect punishing melee combat, stamina management, and large-scale boss encounters across the board.

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If you enjoy methodical combat, stamina-based duels, and learning boss patterns through repeated defeat, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for the genre. From dark European-inspired realms to Chinese folklore and desert mythologies, developers are pushing both atmosphere and mechanical depth.

List of 2026 souls-like game releases

Game	Release Window	Platforms	Core Theme
Beast of Reincarnation	August 4, 2026	PS5, Xbox, PC	Dark fantasy, massive bosses
Lords of the Fallen 2	2026	PS5, Xbox, PC	Dual-realm stamina combat
Mohist Dengling Hill	TBA	PS5, PC	Chinese folklore
Loulan: The Cursed Sand	TBA	PS5, PC	Desert fantasy
Project TAL	2027	PS5, Xbox, PC	Hardcore action RPG
La Divina Commedia	TBA	PS5, Xbox, PC	Inferno-inspired dark fantasy
Mortal Shell 2	2026	PS5, Xbox, PC	Shell-based combat sequel
The God Slayer	TBA	PS5, Xbox, PC	Mythological punishment combat
Valor Mortis	2026	PS5, Xbox, PC	Grim medieval souls RPG

#1 Beast of Reincarnation

Beast of Reincarnation launches on August 4, 2026, and is one of the most anticipated new IPs in the genre. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it emphasizes heavy, deliberate melee combat with weighty animations and extended recovery frames.

You can expect large, cinematic boss encounters designed around positioning and stamina discipline rather than button-mashing. Early previews highlight towering monsters, bleak landscapes, and dense environmental storytelling.

If you prefer souls-likes where every dodge matters and bosses dominate the screen, this one looks built for you.

#2 Lords of the Fallen 2

Lords of the Fallen 2 continues the dual-realm system introduced in its predecessor. Players once again shift between two overlapping worlds, blending exploration puzzles with combat risk management.

Combat remains stamina-driven, with builds centered around melee, magic, or hybrid scaling. The sequel reportedly deepens realm interaction, allowing more seamless transitions during fights and exploration.

If you enjoyed the layered world design and dark gothic tone of the first game, this sequel appears to refine that formula rather than reinvent it.

#3 Mortal Shell 2

Mortal Shell 2 is the direct sequel to Mortal Shell and moves to Unreal Engine 5 for a darker, more detailed presentation.

The defining Shell mechanic returns, allowing you to inhabit fallen warriors and adapt to different playstyles. Combat remains slow, punishing, and timing-focused, with an emphasis on hardening and counter windows.

Expect more varied environments and expanded weapon options compared to the original.

#4 Mohist Dengling Hill

Mohist Dengling Hill stands out for its Chinese folklore setting. It focuses on methodical melee combat with myth-inspired enemy designs.

While details remain limited, the game leans into atmospheric tension and culturally rooted storytelling. If you’re looking for a souls-like outside traditional European medieval themes, this is one to watch.

#5 Loulan: The Cursed Sand

Loulan: The Cursed Sand, built on Unity 6, shifts the setting to a harsh desert fantasy landscape.

The structure follows classic souls design: interconnected regions, shortcut-based progression, punishing boss gates, and deliberate stamina combat. Its environment design emphasizes sandstorms, ruins, and mythic desert horrors.

If environmental hazards mixed with tight combat appeal to you, this title adds variety to 2026’s lineup.

#6 La Divina Commedia

La Divina Commedia draws inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, translating layered circles of hell into structured boss gauntlets.

Built in Unreal Engine 5, it emphasizes heavy boss-focused combat and oppressive atmosphere. Each circle reportedly introduces unique enemy archetypes and environmental mechanics, reinforcing the sense of descent.

#7 The God Slayer

The God Slayer centers on mythological combat against deity-level foes. Combat is described as punishing and stamina-heavy, with boss encounters forming the core progression loop.

The tone leans grim and oppressive, emphasizing calculated offense and defensive mastery.

#8 Valor Mortis

Valor Mortis continues the classic grim medieval blueprint. Expect tight melee systems, stamina conservation, and boss-centric progression.

With Unreal Engine 5 visuals, it aims to deliver dense castles, cursed battlefields, and grotesque creature design.

#9 Project TAL pushes into next year

Project TAL is currently targeting 2027 but remains part of the broader next-gen souls-like wave.

The combat pacing reportedly leans heavily into traditional stamina management and slow, punishing duels. If development stays on track, it could extend this surge of souls-inspired titles beyond 2026.

Why 2026 is shaping up as a major year for souls-like fans

Unreal Engine 5 is clearly dominating the genre’s next phase, with most major releases leveraging its lighting, environmental density, and large-scale boss presentation.

You’re also seeing stronger thematic diversity. Instead of strictly medieval European settings, 2026 introduces Chinese folklore, desert mythology, infernal poetry adaptation, and mythological god-slaying narratives.

For players who enjoy learning boss patterns, managing stamina carefully, and embracing deliberate combat pacing, the upcoming lineup offers both familiar structure and new aesthetic directions.

The souls-like wave is all set!

If you’re planning your gaming calendar, August 4, 2026 is already locked in for Beast of Reincarnation, while Mortal Shell 2, Lords of the Fallen 2, and Valor Mortis are expected within the same year. Several others remain TBA but are actively in development.

Overall, 2026 looks dense, dark, and unapologetically punishing — exactly what souls-like fans tend to appreciate.