Soulsborne games, one of the most famous modern series in the industry, are spread across several franchises, which can be very confusing.
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While all of FromSoftware’s expansions are brilliant, some stand out more than others.
Especially afterElden Ring’s popularity, which was responsible for bringing the formula to the mainstream public, the number of people who want to enjoy FromSoftware games is growing, but many don’t know how.
Between exclusives, series with different names, and varying difficulties, it’s a tricky niche to access, although that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Therefore, coming from someone who suffered with the first games since their original releases, this isthe best Soulsborne games order for a beginner,ranked.
1Elden Ring
The Most Versatile
Elden Ring
Elden Ringis the Soulsborne formula refined to perfection. FromSoftware has shaped all its years of experience into a superb game that lowers the barrier to entry without losing an ounce of identity.
Thanks to itsopen world, great depth of customization, online mode, and summoning system,it’s rare to come across an impossible fight to overcome.
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FromSoftware only knows how to cause true pain through its expansions.
Despite this, it maintains the traditional challenge of its kind, allowing you to decide how much to use its tools to facilitate your adventure and, therefore,giving you the freedom to adjust its difficulty according to your abilities.
you’re able to always explore another area, level up, improve your weapons and armor, summon friends, and so on to make your journey through The Lands Between as difficult as you want.
If you want to limit these features to increase the challenge or to use them to the maximum to reduce it completely, you have the power. There lies the key toElden Ringas the first Soulsborne to play.
2Bloodborne
A More Accessible Difficulty
Bloodborne
A consistent opinion among Soulsborne players is that, in retrospect,Bloodbornepresents the least challenge regarding bosses.
This makes the game more accessible than its peers, as the obstacles that usually prevent users from advancing aren’t as strongly present.
While the healing system and level design can be overwhelming,Bloodbornemakes up for it with easier-to-digest systems, given that it doesn’t lean so much toward an RPG style.
Weapons are few and all viable, and armor doesn’t have a major impact. Thus, you can concentrate on combat without worrying about whether you are using the right build or are in the right place, the latter thanks to itsrelative linearity.
If you master the parry mechanic, which simplifies many encounters with both minions and bosses, the game can become easier than people make it out to be.
3Demon’s Souls
The Most Obtuse
Demon’s Souls
Being the first of the Soulsborne phenomena,Demon’s Soulsis understandably the most obtuse. It’s FromSoftware’s first venture into this style of game, and that translates into plenty of player discomfort.
FollowingBloodborne’s footsteps, the level design and healing system are unforgiving. However, complex mechanics such asWorld TendencyandHuman/Soul Formare the real dangersthat can scare away a new player.
Still, most bosses are slow, with predictable patterns and easy-to-decipher gimmicks, whichmakes up for the poor aging of many of its gameplay structures and increases its accessibility. Combat-wise, it’s the easiest Souls game by a mile, so it balances things out.
Part of me would like to recommendDemon’s Soulsas the first game so you can see FromSoftware’s growth, but I’d say it’s more likely to turn you off than to like, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
4Dark Souls
The True Beginning of Your Journey
Dark Souls
For many,Dark Soulsrepresents the genuine beginning of Soulsborne games' long journey, as it was the first turning point for the franchise.
In terms of accessibility, it’s a perfect middle ground that offers a notable challenge for new players, but never feels unfair and has much more satisfying systems.
Its areas, RPG features, bosses, and other gameplay elements are well-structured, but consequently,the demand for the player’s skill is much greater.
The patterns are more complex, the enemies are smarter and more deceptive, and the level design requires a lot of attention and care, as it’s quite easy toget lostand feel frustrated.
Even so,Dark Soulsis as accessible as it is demanding, andit defines whether you’re able to overcome the most brutal challenges FromSoftware has in its catalog.
5Dark Souls 2
Convenient for a Veteran
Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin
Despite many recommending skippingDark Souls 2or leaving it for last, I’ll play Devil’s Advocate once again and strongly encourage you to play it right after the first entry.
This admiringly inventive sequel strives to offer something new, even if it fails a lot in the process and can be frustrating regularly.
Both areas and bosses are more difficult thanDark Souls, though mostly due to performance issues. Between the number ofannoying enemiesand questionable hitboxes,it’s normal if you lose more due to unfairness than inability.
However,Dark Souls 2features one of the most varied and deep gameplay of all the Soulsborne games, so the room for improvement and replayability is practically endless.
Plus, the title has very high peaks, especially if we add the DLCs,and itallowsyou to enjoy the trilogy’s closure in a much better way.
6Dark Souls 3
Time to Rise to the Challenge
Dark Souls 3
Since it’s the logical sequence in narrative terms and represents the trilogy’s absolute refinement,I will always propose playing theDark Soulstrilogy in release order.
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FromSoft gets it right most of the time. But not all of the time.
Therefore, that leavesDark Souls 3as the golden ending that it is, as it concludes the series' journey perfectly. Gameplay-wise and story-wise, it’s the most pleasing way to continue enjoying one of the best trilogies of all time.
Yet, the main reason is the average difficulty of the game’s bosses, as it’s considerably higher than its predecessors. If you count the DLCs, the situation gets even tougher, as it has several of themost difficult bosses in history.
I have always thought starting withDark Souls 3was a mistake, since it’s the hardest and most robust, so the rest feels slow in comparison.Playing the trilogy in release order allows you to enjoy the developer’s evolution and its increasing difficulty, so I’ll stick with it.
7Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
A New World of Difficulties
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
There’s no better way to end your journey through the thick Soulsborne waters than with the least Soulsborne of them all.Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis one of the most difficult video games ever, but at this point, you’ll be prepared.
Of course, preparation is relative, sinceSekirohas a unique gameplay language. With no RPG mechanics, no summons of any kind, and a very limited number of secondary tools,your only option is to master the game.
That makes it perfect for being the last on this list, not only for being the most demanding, but also for being the most different.Having played the rest of FromSoftware’s games will put your mind in the right place,though your hands will have to adapt again.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicedepends on your ability to enter theflow state, especially since its main and evenoptional bossesare a giant challenge for even the most veteran. Still, you’ll find it’s worth it, as this isone of the best and most satisfying games of all time.
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