The most useful way to track new Soulslike games is to separate titles that are already released from games still sitting on an upcoming calendar. As of September 28, 2026, several major releases that dominated pre-release lists earlier in the year are now available: Code Vein II, Nioh 3, and Mortal Shell II.
This page focuses on recent releases you can play now. Games that still have future dates or broad windows belong in upcoming Soulslike games instead, while Soulslike games in 2026 provides the wider year overview.
Code Vein II — January 30, 2026
Bandai Namco released Code Vein II worldwide at the end of January for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The official FAQ confirms a standalone story, no multiplayer, no difficulty selection, and an estimated 30 to 40 hours for the main story.
Its identity is built around character customization, weapon and ability progression, a dynamic Partner System, and movement between past and present versions of an explorable world. Partners can fight independently in Summoning mode or merge with the player through Assimilation for different benefits.
Code Vein II is especially relevant to players who want anime styling, companions, extensive character creation, and a solo action-RPG structure. Because the official FAQ says it has no multiplayer, it should not be grouped with co-op Soulslikes simply because the first Code Vein supported online play.
Nioh 3 — February 6, 2026
KOEI TECMO and Team NINJA released Nioh 3 for PS5 and Windows PC via Steam on February 6. The game combines broader open-field exploration with the dense combat and equipment systems associated with the Nioh series.
Its defining feature is the ability to switch instantly between Samurai and Ninja styles. Samurai emphasizes face-to-face martial combat and deflection, while Ninja focuses on quick movement, aerial actions, evasive techniques, and ninjutsu.
The current official page also confirms online multiplayer through Summon Visitor and Expeditions, letting players seek help or explore open fields together. Read our Nioh 3 profile for the current feature breakdown.
Mortal Shell II — August 20, 2026
Mortal Shell II is one of the newest substantial releases in the category. Playstack lists it for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a compact interconnected open world, multiple playable Shells, more than sixty dungeons, deeper weapon systems, and sidearms.
The sequel deliberately changes one classic Souls assumption: its combat is not restricted by a traditional stamina system. That does not remove the Soulslike connection. The game still centers on difficult encounters, exploration, progression, risk, and mastery while using Shell possession as a distinctive character system.
For players who enjoyed the atmosphere of the first game but wanted a broader world, the sequel is one of the most important new releases of the second half of 2026.
Why this page is different from the 2026 yearly guide
A yearly guide answers a broad calendar question: which Soulslike games matter during 2026, including titles already released and games still scheduled later in the year. A New page answers a narrower shopping and discovery question: what has actually launched recently enough that I can buy and play it now?
That difference prevents keyword cannibalization. The yearly page can keep a historical record of major 2026 releases, while this page moves forward as the release window changes. A game may remain on the 2026 overview all year but eventually fall out of this New list once it is no longer recent.
How we verify a game after launch
A release date passing is not enough. After launch, we replace pre-release assumptions with current facts: final supported platforms, whether multiplayer actually shipped, current storefront availability, launch or post-launch patches, and whether an announced demo or test is still active.
We also remove wording such as coming soon, expected, and planned from metadata once the official release has happened. This sounds basic, but stale preview language is common on gaming sites and can make a page look abandoned within weeks.
What counts as new on this page?
We use a moving recent-release window rather than keeping every game from the current calendar year forever. A title can remain relevant to the yearly guide while eventually graduating out of the New page as later releases arrive.
The goal is to answer a current searcher's question: what Soulslike games have actually launched recently? That means old pre-order language, outdated beta access, and release-date speculation should disappear after launch.
New does not automatically mean better
Recent releases benefit from current graphics, active communities, fresh patches, and ongoing discovery. Older Soulslikes may still have stronger level design, more polished balance, or better documentation. A new-game page should therefore explain availability and identity without turning freshness into a quality score.
For an evergreen recommendation list that includes older classics, use best Soulslike games.
Recent release versus live support
A game can remain current long after launch if it receives expansions, updates, new modes, balance patches, or platform versions. Code Vein II received post-launch support; Elden Ring continued to receive content in 2026; older games such as Lords of the Fallen also evolved through major co-op updates.
We treat launch date and current support as separate facts. That prevents a page from calling a three-year-old game new simply because it got a patch.
Which new 2026 Soulslike should you try?
Choose Code Vein II if you want anime presentation, partners, character creation, and a solo campaign. Choose Nioh 3 if you want complex action systems, loot, open fields, and online expeditions. Choose Mortal Shell II if you want a dark compact open world, Shell-based progression, and a fresh take on combat pacing.
If you are more interested in what comes next than what just launched, move to upcoming Soulslike games.
