Whats The Easiest Souls Game For Beginners

Easiest souls game is often considered to be Demon’s Souls due to its slower pace and more forgiving level design compared to some of the later entries in the series.

So, you’re curious about diving into the brutal world of Souls-like games, but maybe you want to start with something a little less punishing. That’s completely understandable. Many wonder, “whats the easiest souls game” to begin with, and it’s a fair question to ask before tackling these challenging adventures.

The difficulty can be pretty daunting. Thankfully, there are subtle differences in the games that might make one a bit more approachable. Each game has its unique quirks, but the core challenge remains.

What’s the Easiest Souls Game?

So, you’re curious about which Souls game is the easiest, huh? That’s a great question, and it’s one a lot of people wonder about before diving into this challenging but awesome game series. The Souls games, known for their tough-as-nails combat, can seem really scary at first. But don’t worry, not all of them are equally difficult. Let’s break down what makes a Souls game easier or harder and then look at some of the games specifically.

Understanding Souls-like Difficulty

Before we pinpoint the “easiest” game, it’s important to understand what makes a Souls game difficult in the first place. It’s not just about being incredibly hard; it’s about a combination of things that create a specific kind of challenge. These elements are consistent throughout the games but are tweaked differently in each one, influencing their overall difficulty level. Here are some of the core features:

Enemy Aggression and Design

The enemies in Souls games aren’t just mindless bots. They often have complex attack patterns, can gang up on you, and can even use the environment to their advantage. Some enemies are incredibly aggressive, relentlessly chasing you, while others patrol carefully. Enemy design matters too; some are faster, some have shields, and some can hit very hard. The mix of enemy types in a specific area and their attack patterns contribute heavily to difficulty. For example, an area packed with fast-moving enemies is harder than an area with slow and predictable enemies.

Level Design and Exploration

Souls games are known for their interconnected worlds. This means that the levels often have shortcuts, hidden paths, and looping areas. While this adds to the sense of exploration and discovery, it can also be confusing. Areas can be designed in a way that funnels you into dangerous situations, or can be tricky to navigate with traps, pitfalls, and dead ends. Also, some areas are just straight-up tougher with many enemies and less room to maneuver.

Boss Fights

Boss fights are the hallmark of any Souls game. Each boss presents a unique challenge, demanding that you learn their attack patterns and exploit weaknesses. Some bosses are simply more complicated and aggressive than others, with multi-stage fights, attacks that can one-shot you, or mechanics that force you to adapt your playstyle. The difficulty of the bosses often has a big impact on the overall feel of a specific Souls game.

Character Builds and Customization

Souls games offer a lot of freedom in how you build your character. You can focus on strength, magic, dexterity, or a mix of attributes. The right build can drastically impact how easily you can deal with enemies and bosses. Some games offer more options for character customization and gear, which makes it easier to create a powerful character. Having access to good gear and weapons is also an element that can impact overall difficulty.

Death and Progression Mechanics

Death is a major part of these games. When you die, you usually lose progress (in the form of souls or experience), and you have to go back to where you died to get it back. If you die again before picking them up, they’re gone. This makes each encounter meaningful and gives the player a sense of risk. The mechanics of this loss, as well as what you can do to get stronger also makes some games more forgiving than others. For example, some games let you summon help easily, which can make certain tough encounters much easier.

Contenders for the “Easiest” Souls Game

Now that we understand the main components that make a Souls game difficult, let’s look at some of the games that people tend to find the easiest. It is essential to note, however, that personal preference and prior experience with similar games will always play a role. What may be an “easier” experience for one person might be different for another.

Dark Souls III

While Dark Souls III is often considered one of the most polished games in the series, some people find it to be more approachable than the first two. The combat is faster-paced and more fluid, which some players prefer. It does not mean it is easy by any stretch, but it does have some forgiving aspects:

• Linear Design: The game world is more straightforward compared to the sprawling interconnected areas of Dark Souls I. This can make it easier to navigate and keep track of where to go.
• Boss Difficulty: Some of the bosses are more predictable in their patterns, allowing you to learn them easier than in some other titles.
• Weapon Arts: The addition of weapon arts, special moves you can use with your weapons, gives you more options in combat and can be very powerful.

However, many still find Dark Souls III to be a tough game, so don’t go in expecting an easy walk in the park.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, the remastered edition, is often mentioned as either the “easiest” or the “hardest.” The general consensus leans towards it being more accessible for a few reasons:

• Slower Combat: The combat in Dark Souls II is a bit slower than in Dark Souls III and Bloodborne. This gives you more time to react to enemy attacks and make decisions.
• More Healing: Healing items are more readily available than in other Souls games. This can be a massive help, especially for new players.
• Build Variety: The wide range of builds and weapon options allow players to try things and tailor them more than the other games, resulting in an easier game for some.

That being said, Dark Souls II also has some unique challenges. Enemy placement is sometimes considered to be less fair than other titles and the world and boss designs aren’t as well liked. Adaptability, a stat unique to this game, also needs to be leveled, and that is not an intuitive thing for most new players.

Demon’s Souls (Remake)

The remake of Demon’s Souls is a beautiful and faithful recreation of the original game. Its accessibility stems from a few things:

• Level Structure: The game is divided into separate levels, connected through the Nexus. This structure is less daunting than the interconnected worlds of Dark Souls games. You can tackle each level in manageable chunks.
• Fairer AI: While Demon’s Souls can be difficult, the enemy AI sometimes feels less aggressive than in some other titles. This can make the encounters more manageable.

Demon’s Souls is the first Souls game by the series creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, and is generally regarded as being easier for players new to Souls games. It is less complex and more straightforward than its descendants.

Lords of the Fallen (2023)

The rebooted Lords of the Fallen, while not a FromSoftware game, is often described as a “Souls-like.” This game tries to make the experience a little more accessible than a full Souls game:

• More forgiving game mechanics: The new Lords of the Fallen lets you easily re-spec your character. Also, the game allows players to upgrade their health potions easily, which makes it more forgiving than many souls games.
• Simpler level design: The game features a less interconnected map than FromSoftware titles. This makes it easier to keep track of where you are going, and where you’ve been.
• More cooperative focused: Lords of the Fallen was designed to be played cooperatively. The game is quite difficult when played solo, but it becomes less challenging with a co-op partner.

While being a difficult game in its own right, Lords of the Fallen is considered one of the easier games in this niche category.

Elden Ring

Now, you might be surprised to see Elden Ring mentioned here, given its open-world nature and its many optional bosses. Many consider Elden Ring to be the most approachable and easiest souls game thanks to these design choices:

• Open-World Structure: The open world means that if you’re having trouble in one area, you can go somewhere else and come back later. You’re not stuck on one hard boss or area of the game, which can make it easier to progress.
• Summons: Spirit Ashes, which allows players to summon AI companions, make battles easier. These summons can be very useful, especially when fighting bosses.
• Variety of Playstyles: Elden Ring provides players with a lot of choice and diversity in terms of their builds and weapons, allowing them to tailor a specific build to their preferred playstyle. This can dramatically affect the overall difficulty of the game.

While Elden Ring can feel quite difficult at times, many players find the freedom to explore and the assistance from summons make it feel more approachable than some other Souls games. It gives players a way to circumvent some of the difficulty.

A Table of Easiest Souls Game and their Features

To make things a bit clearer, here’s a table summarizing the key features contributing to the relative ease of each game:

Is There Really An “Easiest” Souls Game?

While some Souls games tend to be more approachable than others, it’s important to realize that “easy” is still a relative term. All of the Souls games are designed to be challenging, and all of them will require patience, learning, and a lot of trial and error. The game that’s easiest for you might depend on your own gaming background. For example, if you prefer a more methodical style, then Dark Souls II with its slower combat might feel easier. However, if you enjoy a fast, responsive experience, Dark Souls III could be a better start. Even Elden Ring’s open-world freedom may be too disorienting for players who are looking for a more linear approach. In short, it’s less about what’s definitively easiest, and more about which title caters to your playstyle and preferences.

Tips For Approaching Souls Games

No matter which Souls game you choose, keep these things in mind to help you succeed:

• Be Patient: Don’t rush into battles. Take the time to learn enemy attack patterns, and don’t get frustrated when you die.
• Explore Everything: Hidden items and paths can give you a significant advantage.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Don’t neglect your weapons and armor. Improving your gear is essential for success.
• Adapt Your Build: Don’t be afraid to try different builds. Some builds are more effective in certain situations.
• Use Summoning: If you’re having trouble, don’t be afraid to summon help. Online summons from other players or the NPC summons can make a huge difference in your battle outcomes.
• Learn From Your Mistakes: Each death is a learning experience. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your strategy.

These tips will greatly improve your experience in all of the Souls games and it is a good way to approach the genre in general.

Ultimately, the “easiest” Souls game is the one you’re willing to stick with and learn. They are all very challenging but very rewarding games. They will push you and test your skills. There is something special that happens when you overcome that difficulty. So pick the one that appeals to you most, and get ready for an awesome, tough, but rewarding adventure.

SOULS Games for BEGINNERS #shorts

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, player skill impacts perceived difficulty significantly. A game considered easy for one person might be a challenge for another. However, factors like slower combat and generous checkpoints make some games more approachable.

Based on general consensus, Demon’s Souls is often considered harder. Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring present significant hurdles too. Therefore, Dark Souls 2 is frequently cited as the easiest souls game for many. This provides a gentler start to the genre for those seeking entry.