Obviously DS2
Sekiro -> different approach
NiOh 2
Code Vein
The Surge 1/2
Lords of the Fallen
Remnant From the Ashes
Ashen
Blasphemous
Dead Cells
My thoughts on souls games to play (background experience is DS1 completion, completed main story of LotF, almost completed Ashen, completed first run of deadcells, dabbled with The surge and Remnant from the ashes)
1. Play more DS 1 (if you want) aim for all achievements or a certain build
2. I played Lords of the fallen, and completed it. It was fine, but general consensus was that The Surge was much better and more interesting...and the surge 2 was another step up from Surge 1 (all from same devs) - so just jump straight to Surge 2 unless you really really like the fantasy setting of LotF.
3. Remnant from the ashes is a really interesting shooter take on the souls genre. It's hard! the boss fights have a lot of mobs and it can feel difficult in single player to control the aggro. Shots and damage output are quite slow and deliberate so depending how good you are it can cross the line from "interestingly challenging" to "unfair". The first area is quite brown/bland but its meant to go to some really interesting places after that. It has shortcuts and secret areas etc which make it interesting.
4. Ashen. Most similar to DS1 in terms of melee combat, all stamina based, not much parrying etc. The background of the world is fairly generic (everything was dark, now it's getting lighter), but the world itself and characters are really interesting to explore. Different types of weapons to find and some good shortcuts and secrets to find.
It also has a unique drop in/drop out journey-like co-op system. You always have an AI person fighting alongside you but sometimes people can matchmake in and take them over. Then they can ping items of interest, help you in boss fights etc.
There are two areas where people get stuck, 50%-60% of the way through and the final boss. I didn't have it in me to beat the final boss but I did everything else.
5. Dead cells - a really well received game and very popular but i'm not sure i'd call it a souls-like. When you get better you can zoom around the maps spewing out death and destruction everywhere. It does have some secrets, and some boss fights. It's more of a 2D rogue-like though, where you gain cash (cells) on each run and spend them on getting more powerful and better abilities and weapons etc. Well worth playing but not necessarily a souls-like.
