While the appeal of “Souls” style games – whether they’re straight-up clones or FromSoftware’s own masterpieces – lies in their difficulty and replay value, most don’t actually take all that long to fully conquer. Completing everything usually falls within a reasonable 50 to 80-hour timeframe.
However, focusing on a single playthrough (excluding achievement hunting replays linked to difficult in-game goals), you will discover that only a few titles will keep you engaged for over 100 hours, since most Souls games are substantial but not excessively sprawling.
Fortunately, the Soulslike universe boasts several titles that readily consume triple-digit hours if you aim for total completion. Here’s a countdown of five such games:
5
Nioh
Difficulty Cranked To The Max
Nioh is a brutal contender, perhaps one you’ve overlooked. It boasts some of the most punishing boss encounters found within the Souls-like landscape. While Soulsborne games are notoriously tough but generally balanced, Nioh thrusts players into immediate danger, significantly diminishing the odds of survival.
Bosses in Nioh are relentlessly aggressive, combining speed, agility, and overwhelming strength. You’re essentially forced to abandon the dodge-centric tactics learned in Dark Souls and master Nioh’s unique mechanics, emphasizing aggressive play and precise execution of the Ki Pulse ability.
I recall my initial playthrough taking around 50 hours, mainly focused on the storyline. But with the inclusion of DLC content, numerous side quests, and the drive to unlock all achievements, anticipate exceeding 100 hours of dedicated playtime within this challenging world.
4
Dark Souls 3
The End Of Flame
I may be biased, with over 300 hours invested in Dark Souls 3. However, even ignoring the tedious covenant achievements, fully exploring the world, unlocking all three endings, and completing the exceptional DLC packs from From Software easily pushes playtime beyond the 100-hour mark.
Covenant achievements demand a minimum of 20 hours of repetitive grinding. To bypass this, consider asking for assistance within the community to obtain the required covenant items through online co-op.
Ultimately, games are about enjoyment, not relentless grinding. Dark Souls 3 provides some of the most engaging boss battles within the Souls series. Its addictive nature and high replayability, along with multiple story endings, ensures that you will easily exceed 100 hours before you realize it.
3
Hollow Knight
The Best Indie Game Of Our Time
Despite debates regarding Hollow Knight‘s true classification, its gameplay does resemble aspects of the Souls formula. Consequently, it earns its place on this list.
Venturing into Hallownest introduces you to one of the most expansive, enchanting, and intricately connected worlds in the indie game sphere. While immersed in this game, it’s easy to forget Hollow Knight’s indie origins, owing to its immense scale.
Offering a vast, explorable world, challenging boss battles, compelling narrative elements, and engaging environmental storytelling, Hollow Knight delivers an experience you never knew you needed.
The game also benefits from free DLC releases, such as the Grimm Troupe, which puts you face-to-face against what many consider to be the second hardest boss in the game. Meanwhile, the Godmaster DLC opens access to the challenging pantheons.
2
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Almost A Rhythm Game
I consider Sekiro the most addictive game presented here, given its exceptional and polished combat mechanics. While I acknowledge its initial difficulty, once mastered, it becomes incredibly difficult to stop playing.
Featuring the most finely-tuned combat system on this list, combined with a boss rush mode and four unique endings, some of which unlock entirely new boss encounters, reaching 100+ hours happens without realizing it – especially with the goal of full completion.
Sekiro is, in my view, the most enjoyable game for speedrunning. It’s only kept from the top spot because it’s also the shortest if focused solely on a single playthrough, something I personally would not recommend.
1
Elden Ring
The Biggest Souls Game
Elden Ring is the only Souls game where reaching 100+ hours of gameplay during a single playthrough, without aiming for total completion, is easily achievable – especially when you plan to explore its engaging DLC offerings.
This title stands as FromSoftware’s most ambitious Souls experience, featuring a massive open world teeming with formidable opponents. It also brings us the toughest DLC and most merciless bosses crafted by the studio, so be prepared before venturing into the Lands Between.
With six different endings, but only three tied to achievements, unlocking every achievement in Elden Ring will likely require around 150 hours of total playtime.