Summary
There are a lot of Soulslikes on the market, in a wide variety of settings and genres. But thanks toDemon’s Soulsand the iconic trilogy that followed it, the genre is inextricably linked with fantasy. This means most games have swords, sorcery, dragons, and, of course, castles.
As fantasy RPGs, manySoulslikes live and die by their dungeon design. Some of the most memorable dungeons in these games take place in castles, vast imposing edifices that players must infiltrate singlehanded. Castle dungeons are a proud tradition in these games, and here are ten of the best ones.
The originalDemon’s Soulsestablished the Soulslike genre back in 2009, and the 2020 remake has paved the way for modern fans to experience the game with new graphics. Among the many dungeons and foes introduced by this venerable game, fans of the remake will also find themselves traversing the King’s Tower for the first time.
While the regions ofDemon’s Soulscan technically be completed in any order, most players will likely be entering the King’s Tower toward the end of the game, as it’s positioned to be the final stage. This imposing castle is full of traps, soldiers,and dangerous red phantoms, as well as an ancient mausoleum where players can receive a legendary sword. It also boasts a now-traditional encounter with a dragon on a bridge and culminates in a battle with Old King Allant himself. However, in true Soulslike fashion, all is not as it seems when it comes to this monarch.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis unique among its fellow Soulslikes for its heavy emphasis on action, its abandonment of traditional RPG systems, and its distinctive setting inspired by ancient Japanese mythology. This game is rich with imposing monsters and challenging duels, but it also has some truly striking locales.
Fountainhead Palace is a late-game dungeon that players can access by siding with Lord Kuro over the course of the game. Here fans will have an encounter with a familiar boss inthe form of the Corrupted Monk, as well as a battle with the Divine Dragon, the final boss players will encounter before entering the endgame. What sets Fountainhead Palace apart is its overwhelming beauty. Players will approach this castle via a scenic overlook that provides excellent views of this celestial castle and the beautiful waterfalls that give it its name.
The immense open world ofElden Ringhides many secrets, and nowhere is this more true than in Volcano Manor. This imposing fortress, situated on the volcanic Mount Gelmir, was the site of a brutal pitched battle in ages past and ruined fortifications and corpses still lie scattered across the slopes. However, inside, Volcano Manor is a suspiciously tranquil spot, where players can join a sect of recusants who aim to overthrow the Golden Order.
Beneath this veneer of civility, however, lies the true heart of Volcano Manor. Players can break through an illusory wall to access the castle grounds. The true Volcano Manor is a wretched fortress of torture and imprisonment slowly sinking into the lava of Mount Gelmir. This treacherous dungeon exposes the dark history ofElden Ring’s Golden Order and makes players question how far they’re willing to go to break the religion’s grip on the land.
Bloodbornetakes heavy inspiration from multiple different types of genres. The main setting of the city of Yharnam is dripping with gothic horror, and as players uncover the truth behind the game’s beast plague, things take a decidedly Lovecraftian turn. But when players turn up at the gates of Cainhurst Castle,the gothic influence comes roaring back.
Cainhurst Castle is an elaborate and imposing fortress with parapets covered in statues and hallways lined with velvet drapes and towering bookcases. Ghostly foes prowl its floors while monstrous, swollen flea women lurk in the grounds to suck up the dregs. The history of this forsaken castle is soaked in blood and blasphemy, and if players invite their friend Alfred, it’s hear that he will reveal his true colors.
TheDark Souls 3player’s quest to posthumously reunite the four lords and reignite the Age of Fire culminates in Lothric Castle, an imposing fortress at the center of the game’s dying empire. This massive castle rises up from the parapets that serve as one of the game’s earliest levels and serves as the home of Prince Lothric, the final lord players must vanquish.
The player’s journey through this sprawling castle leads them past a horrifying and tragic encounter with a pair of dragons and into the Grand Archives, a vast haunted library full of scholars and ghostly arms. This eventually leads up to a massive pitched battle on the roof and a final confrontation with Prince Lothric and his imposing brother. The grandeur and scale of Lothric Castle make it a truly memorable final dungeon.
Dark Souls 2’s three DLC expansions include some of the most intricate and unique level design in the entire series, and Brume Tower fromCrown of the Old Iron Kingis perhaps the best example of that. This ancient and imposing mountain fortress stands out from other Soulslike castles with its distinctly mechanical design; the tower is full of pulleys and massive forges, and the player will have to manipulate some immense machinery to navigate this tower.
The tower’s vertical design will have players steadily descending throughout the entire length of the DLC, facing off against semi-mechanical soldiers and towering steam-powered colossi as they make their way down. At the very bottom of Brume Tower lies the Fume Knight,one of the most difficult bossesin the entire game.
The originalDark Soulsis famous for itsintricate and interconnected level design. The world of Lordran feels like a real, physical place that players can freely explore from one end to another. But to reach the second half of the game, players will have to go through Sen’s Fortress.
This massive castle opens only after the player has rung both Bells of Awakening. Once they’re inside, players will have to contend with treacherous snake men and deadly mechanical traps. Swinging blades, blowdarts, and hidden spikes will menace the player around every turn, and an immense mechanism at the top of the castle will send boulders rolling down to crush players as well. Sen’s Fortress is also notorious for offering up the player’s first encounter with a mimic.
WhileElden Ring’s massive open world technically offers limitless paths for exploration, most players will find themselves entering Stormveil Castle very early in their adventure. This massive fortress is guarded by the infamous Margit the Fell Omen, the first major boss in the game for most players. The castle’s imposing edifice, riddled with holes and overgrown with strange and sinister vines, displays an ominous message about the overall state of the Lands Between.
Stormveil Castle offers a serious challenge for players to navigate. Fans can accept the help of the sinister Gatekeeper Gostoc to avoid being gunned down by the ballistae guarding the door, but they’ll then have to contend with the deadly stormhawks prowling the ramparts. Inside, legions of soldiers await, along with monstrous grafted beasts and a final showdown with Godrick, a hideously grafted lord who offers players a shocking look at the worst the Great Runes can offer.
The solemn quest undertaken by the Chosen Undead inDark Souls 2seems to culminate at Drangleic Castle, the seat of King Vendrick’s rule and the center of his empire. This imposing castle is guarded with intricate magic; players will have to slay foes near the castle’s inanimate stone guardians to progress deeper. The castle is heavily populated with deadly knights and soldiers, and navigating its halls is a true challenge.
The player’s first visit to Drangleic Castle will have them ascend to the fortress’s highest ramparts in search of the realm’s vanished king. Once players have learned the true fate of King Vendrick, however, they’ll eventually have to return to the castle and delve deep into its ancient roots to discover the true source of his power and restart the Age of Fire.
Elden Ring’s infamously difficult DLC brings players to the Land of Shadow, a war-torn region cloaked in darkness and huddling in the colossal shadow of the decaying Scadutree above. Shadow Keep looms over almost the entire map, dominating the landscape as one of the largest castles From Software has ever featured.
Shadow Keep functions as a traditional legacy dungeon, which players must ascend if they wish to confront the infamous Messmer the Impaler. However, due to its sheer size and position in the middle of the map, there are many other entrances and exits players will need to discover and use if they want to navigate the entire map. Players will be delving into the Keep’s sinister dungeons, scaling the rafters of its massive Specimen Chamber, and even braving the sunken Church District during their time in this truly colossal castle.
