Which Soulslike Game Should I Play First?
Choose wisely. You’ll only die a thousand times.
Every Soulslike starts the same way. You die. You get up. You try again.
But not every game in FromSoftware’s catalogue asks the same thing of you. Elden Ring gives you room to breathe. Dark Souls rewards patience and curiosity. Bloodborne demands aggression. Sekiro demands perfection. Dark Souls III demands both.
The wrong starting point doesn’t ruin you — but the right one hooks you for life. This quiz matches you to the game that fits how you actually play. Eight questions. One verdict.
Which Soulslike game is the easiest?
Elden Ring. It’s not easy — nothing FromSoftware makes is easy — but the open world changes everything. When a boss destroys you, you ride somewhere else, level up, and come back stronger. That freedom makes it the most forgiving entry point in the catalogue.
Which Soulslike game is the hardest?
Sekiro. There’s no debating it. No builds to carry you. No levelling past a wall. Just you, your deflection timing, and a game that will not move until you get it right. It’s the most demanding game FromSoftware has ever made — and the most rewarding when it clicks. If you want a challenging Soulslike that isn’t FromSoftware, Lies of P is worth your time too.
Which Soulslike game has the best bosses?
Most players think Dark Souls III and Sekiro share that crown. DS3 has the most consistently excellent boss roster in the series — Soul of Cinder alone is a top-tier send-off. Sekiro has Isshin. If you know, you know. We ranked every Soulsborne final boss here if you want the full breakdown.
Which Soulslike game has the best lore?
Dark Souls I. It’s all environmental. Item descriptions. Architecture. Silence. Nothing is explained — everything is implied. If you’re the type of player who reads every item description and pieces the world together yourself, Lordran will consume you.
Do I need to play Dark Souls before Elden Ring?
No. Every game in the catalogue is standalone. You won’t miss story context by starting anywhere. Elden Ring was designed to be a fresh entry point — and it’s the best one for most new players.
Is Bloodborne worth playing in 2026?
Yes. Bloodborne remains one of the greatest games ever made. The PS4 exclusivity is the only real barrier — but if you have access to the hardware, it’s unmissable. The atmosphere, the combat, the lore — nothing else in the genre feels like it.
What order should I play the Soulslike games?
There’s no wrong answer — but a sensible path is: Elden Ring first to learn the fundamentals, Dark Souls I for the world design and lore, Dark Souls III for the boss quality, Bloodborne for the atmosphere, and Sekiro last when your skills are sharpest. Take the quiz above if you want a personalised answer. And if you’re curious about what FromSoftware might make next, we ranked the most exciting possible Soulsborne sequels.
Dark Souls
The original. The blueprint. Dark Souls built an entire genre from scratch — and its world design remains unmatched. Lordran is one of the most intricately constructed game worlds ever made. Slower than its successors, but deeper. See how its Dark Souls games rank against each other.
Bloodborne
A PS4 exclusive and one of the greatest games ever made. Gothic Victorian horror, aggressive hunter combat, and an atmosphere nothing else in gaming comes close to matching. It strips away shields entirely — you heal by attacking. It demands boldness.
Dark Souls III
The most refined entry in the Dark Souls trilogy. Faster than DS1, more focused than Elden Ring, and home to some of the best boss encounters FromSoftware has ever designed. If boss quality is your priority, this is your game. We ranked every Soulsborne final boss if you want to see how DS3 stacks up.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The hardest game in the catalogue. No RPG builds. No levelling past difficulty. Just skill, deflection timing, and a game that refuses to compromise. When you beat Isshin, the Sword Saint — and you will — it’s one of the most earned moments in gaming.
Elden Ring
The most accessible entry in the catalogue and the best starting point for most players. A vast open world, deep RPG builds, and the freedom to approach challenges on your own terms. When a boss beats you, you simply go elsewhere. It won Game of the Year for a reason.
Into Soulslikes beyond FromSoftware? Check out our ranking of Lies of P bosses ranked by difficulty — one of the best Soulslike games not made by FromSoftware. Or browse all of our video game rankings.