The best souls game is subjective, but many consider Elden Ring to be the peak due to its open world and extensive freedom it offers.
The debate rages on, a fiery discussion amongst fans: what’s the best souls game? Every player holds a different title close to their heart, a champion of their personal experience. This makes the question so interesting to explore.
Each game in the series offers something unique, a special formula that sets it apart. From the tight corridors of Dark Souls to the gothic horror of Bloodborne, the options are numerous. Ultimately, the “best” is a matter of individual taste and preference.
What’s the Best Souls Game? A Deep Dive into the Dark Fantasy Realm
Choosing the “best” Souls game is like picking a favorite star in a vast night sky. Each one shines brightly with its own unique strengths. There’s no single right answer, and the “best” one often comes down to what you’re looking for in a dark fantasy action RPG. Let’s explore the key aspects of these challenging and rewarding games, and maybe, just maybe, we can figure out which one might be the perfect fit for you.
The Core of a Souls Game: What Makes Them Special?
Before we dive into individual games, let’s talk about what makes a Souls game a Souls game. These titles, inspired by FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls, have several trademarks:
- Tough but Fair Combat: Prepare to die. A lot. But each death teaches you something. Battles are strategic, requiring careful timing, observation, and learning enemy patterns.
- Interconnected World Design: Unlike many games with distinct levels, Souls games feature sprawling, interconnected areas. Exploring and discovering hidden paths is a huge part of the experience.
- Minimal Hand-Holding: The games rarely tell you exactly where to go or what to do. You are given hints, but ultimately you must explore, experiment, and figure things out for yourself. This encourages player agency.
- Atmosphere and Lore: Souls games are known for their dark and brooding atmosphere. The stories are often told through environmental details, item descriptions, and cryptic dialogue, leading to a sense of mystery and discovery.
- Character Customization: You can create your own character and build them to fit your playstyle, whether you prefer strength, magic, or a combination.
- Shared Online World: While not a main focus, the games allow for cooperative play (summoning other players for help) and player-versus-player combat (invading other players’ worlds).
These elements combined create a unique and intensely rewarding experience that has captivated players for years. Now, let’s see how these elements are handled across the series.
Demon’s Souls (2009/2020): The Grandfather of the Genre
The Start of Something Special
The game that started it all. Demon’s Souls, originally released on the PlayStation 3 and later remade for PlayStation 5, laid the foundation for everything that followed. It’s often praised for its incredibly unique atmosphere and challenging gameplay. Think of it as the first chapter in a book of dark fantasy tales. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- World Tendency: A unique system where player actions affect the game world, making it easier or harder based on player actions (online). It adds a layer of complexity, though some might find it less user-friendly.
- Nexus Hub Area: Players travel from the central Nexus to the individual levels (archstones) which is something that is not present in later games.
- Incredible Atmosphere: The dark medieval setting, filled with grotesque monsters, really sets the stage for future titles. This title is more macabre and depressing than the rest of the series.
- Slower and More Deliberate Combat: The combat in Demon’s Souls is slightly slower and more methodical than later entries. Each attack must be carefully considered.
Who is it for?
Demon’s Souls is a great starting point if you want to experience the origin of the series. It’s a must-play for history buffs and those who value atmosphere above all else, but some may find some of its mechanics a bit dated.
Dark Souls (2011): The Game That Defined a Genre
The Game Changer
Dark Souls is arguably the most important game in the series. It refined the mechanics of Demon’s Souls and brought the genre to a wider audience. This game, in particular, introduced the interconnected world design that has become a staple of the series. Here’s why it’s a contender for the best:
- Interconnected World: The world of Dark Souls is like a giant maze, with new areas branching off in unexpected ways. This promotes exploration and discovery.
- Bonfires: These save points and checkpoints are crucial for survival, creating moments of respite and allowing you to learn the level layouts.
- Varied Enemy Design: From the simple Hollows to the terrifying Capra Demon, Dark Souls has a great variety of terrifying enemies that are memorable to fight.
- Tight and Responsive Controls: The combat feels more fluid and responsive than Demon’s Souls, making it more accessible for newcomers.
Why people love it
Many fans feel that Dark Souls is the most influential entry in the series. Its impact is very difficult to ignore. The intricate level design, combined with challenging combat, make it an incredible experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Dark Souls II (2014): The Divisive Follow-Up
A Different Direction
Often considered the “black sheep” of the Souls family, Dark Souls II tries some new things and this sometimes works and sometimes it doesn’t. It isn’t bad, but it’s certainly a departure from the others. Here are a few important points:
- A New Setting and Story: Dark Souls II takes place in a different kingdom with a new storyline, making it feel separate from Dark Souls.
- More Complex Level Design (with some drawbacks): While still interconnected, the level design in Dark Souls II is a bit more complex but can sometimes feel artificial, even if there are more levels to explore.
- Adaptability Stat: This stat affects the speed of your actions, requiring players to invest in it to avoid clunky movement, which many players found annoying.
- More Accessible (in some ways): Some have described this title as slightly easier due to the changes to the gameplay.
Should you play it?
Dark Souls II is worth playing for series fans who want to see a different side of the lore, but it may not be the first recommendation for those new to the genre. It’s also worth mentioning the release of Dark Souls II Scholar of the First Sin which added and changed many things within the game.
Dark Souls III (2016): The Polished and Refined Experience
The Series at its Peak
Dark Souls III is a return to form for the series, combining many of the best aspects of the previous games. It is considered by some to be the smoothest experience and the most accessible of the series. It’s a great place for a new player to jump into the dark fantasy world.
- Fast and Fluid Combat: The combat in Dark Souls III is faster and more action-oriented, with the addition of weapon skills that add a new layer to the battles.
- Beautiful Graphics and Art Style: The graphics and art direction are top-notch, creating incredibly detailed and atmospheric environments.
- A more linear world than before: Compared to previous entries, the map of Dark Souls III is more linear, but the areas you travel to are still interconnected.
- Nostalgic connections: Dark Souls III is packed with characters, areas, and references to the original Dark Souls, rewarding veterans with a sense of nostalgia.
A Great All-Around Pick
Dark Souls III is a great place to start for newcomers because it combines the best gameplay from previous entries into an excellent experience. It is an awesome place for any player to start to see if the Souls experience is for them.
Bloodborne (2015): The Gothic Horror Masterpiece
A Step Into Gothic Horror
Bloodborne is a bit different from the Dark Souls games. It exchanges the medieval fantasy setting for a dark, gothic world, making it unique within the series. It’s considered by many to be one of the best games of all time. The game encourages more aggressive playstyles, rewarding players who move in and attack. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Fast-Paced Combat: Bloodborne emphasizes aggressive combat and rewarding a proactive play style, with quick dodges, dashes, and a parry system that requires careful timing.
- Unique Victorian Setting: The gothic city of Yharnam and its surrounding areas offer a distinct aesthetic that is quite different from the rest of the Souls games.
- Transforming Weapons: Weapons in Bloodborne can transform into different forms, offering a more versatile fighting system. This allows for greater variability within the combat.
- Emphasis on Horror: Bloodborne leans more heavily into the horror genre, with grotesque monsters and an oppressive atmosphere.
A different but great experience
Bloodborne is an amazing game that stands out due to its fast-paced combat and incredibly unique setting. While the story and gameplay is related to Souls games, it is an excellent title that really stands out. If you’re looking for something different and love a gothic setting, this could be your perfect game.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019): The Rhythm Action Souls Game
A departure but similar
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the most different game in this list. It moves away from the traditional character builds and focuses more on character-action gameplay. It’s very different from other Souls-style games, but still has that hard difficulty. Here’s what makes it special:
- Parry-Focused Combat: Combat is focused on parrying enemy attacks, which allows for fast paced combat that is also very engaging.
- Limited Customization: The game removes character builds and instead focuses on a single fixed character with unique abilities.
- Vertical Level Design: Sekiro has more vertical environments that allow for greater maneuverability using the grappling hook.
- Stealth Elements: Stealth mechanics are added to the mix, allowing you to take out enemies in interesting ways.
Should you play it?
Sekiro is a great game, but it is a different type of experience from a normal Souls game. If you like a fast-paced action game, this could be a great fit for you.
Elden Ring (2022): The Open-World Souls Game
The Open World Experience
Elden Ring is the most recent entry in the FromSoftware catalogue, and it’s taken the world by storm. It brings the Souls formula to an open-world format, creating an incredible amount of exploration and discovery. Here’s what makes it worth playing:
- Open World Setting: Elden Ring gives you a massive world to explore, with dungeons, castles, and secret locations scattered across the map.
- Greater Freedom of Choice: The game allows players to tackle areas in any order, giving players more freedom than other games.
- Multiplayer Options: The ability to summon other players for help or engage in PvP is expanded on from previous titles.
- Build Variety: There are many different ways to build your character, allowing for a lot of replayability.
An amazing pick for anyone
Elden Ring has been hailed as one of the best games ever made, and for good reason. It’s great for series veterans as well as new players, with something for everyone to enjoy.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a table to help you compare some key features of each game:
| Game | Combat Style | World Design | Difficulty | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demon’s Souls | Slower, Methodical | Interconnected Hub | Very Challenging | World Tendency |
| Dark Souls | Responsive, Strategic | Intricately Connected | Challenging | Interconnected world design |
| Dark Souls II | More Complex | Complex but artificial | Variable | Adaptability Stat |
| Dark Souls III | Fast, Fluid | Linear but connected | Challenging | Weapon Skills |
| Bloodborne | Aggressive, Fast | Gothic, Interconnected | Challenging | Transforming Weapons |
| Sekiro | Parry-Focused | Vertical | Very Challenging | Stealth mechanics |
| Elden Ring | Flexible, Action-Oriented | Massive Open World | Variable | Open world |
So, which game is “the best?” Ultimately, the answer is personal. Some players prefer the classic interconnected design of the original Dark Souls, while others enjoy the aggressive combat of Bloodborne. And many, many players are completely in love with Elden Ring. Some may enjoy the parry focused combat of Sekiro. Each game provides a different way to experience the challenging and rewarding nature of the Souls-like genre. Try them all, and decide for yourself which game best suits your preferred way to play.
The beauty of the Souls series is that each game offers a unique and captivating experience. There isn’t a bad one in the series, and every title provides a different approach to the core tenants of the genre. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or new to the series, there is a title that you will certainly enjoy. Try one out, and see for yourself why so many players love these games.
Ranking Every Souls Game from Worst to Best (Including Elden Ring)
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, preference dictates the best experience. Each game offers a unique blend of challenge and reward. Therefore, the “best” depends on individual tastes and what you value.
The varied world designs and combat styles of the series means “whats the best souls game” is subjective. You might prefer the gothic horror or a more open experience, and the right choice relies on that.
