FromSoftware was formally founded in 1986, but they wouldn’t release their first game until King’s Field in 1994 on the PlayStation. While earning a reputation for the King’s Field and Armored Core series, it was Demon’s Souls and the latter Dark Souls that forever changed the arc of the studio. Since the initial release of Demon’s Souls nearly 15 years ago, the studio has gone on to release several Game of the Year winners that have forever impacted the gaming industry. Their latest release, Elden Ring, not only won Game of the Year from numerous outlets but is one of the most awarded games of all time.
With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion set to release in 2024 and a healthy dose of recent “Soulsborne” debate on the Seasoned Gaming Discord, several of our contributors sat down to rank the games from best to worst. There are some drastically different opinions here, but one thing is certain: we are a passionate group when it comes to these games. Enjoy…
Ains
Twitter / Threads / Bluesky
While I experienced Demon’s Souls and some of the King’s Field games upon their release, it wasn’t until Dark Souls that I came to truly appreciate FromSoftware (and in-turn the direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki). The inter-connected worlds they construct for you to explore autonomously are filled with mystery, danger, challenge, and surprises, and very few, if any, game developer releases excite me more at this point.
1. Elden Ring
Brave tarnished, thy strength befits a crown. I could ramble on for hours about Elden Ring. For me, it is an all-time classic and one of the greatest games ever developed.
Bringing the Souls formula to an open-world structure, it is a gargantuan adventure filled to the brim with near endless secrets to discover, loot to find, and lore to decipher. It tells a captivating fantasy story, and it contains meaningful side story and character development that can stretch over dozens of hours. The world and character stories it tells are far more dense and meaningful than the From games that came before it.
It has, by far, the broadest range of weaponry and class-build variety in a From game, the largest variety of enemies and bosses, and the deepest world-building. As such, it can be played multiple times, in a variety of ways, with the player still discovering something new each time. And, of course, this is all prior to the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion even being released. It is far and away #1 on this list with few, if any, peers.
2. Dark Souls 3
Ash seeketh embers. In many ways, Dark Souls 3 was the forefather of Elden Ring. It laid the foundation for broader area exploration, deeper seeded lore, and character build variety (which also plays into PvP).
Continuing the themes from Dark Souls 1, it brings to conclusion the original Souls trilogy with excellent story-telling set in a stunning world with two expansions. It also features arguably the best bosses in any of the games on this list. From The Dancer to Pontiff Sulyvahn, Nameless King, Sister Friede, Aldrich, and more, Souls 3 re-defined the “epic boss battles” these games have become known for. It is a legendary game and only overshadowed here due to the timeless brilliance of Elden Ring.
3. Bloodborne
Fear the Old Blood. Bloodborne holds a special place in the Soulsborne anthology as it was released on a single platform due to IP ownership by Sony. As such, it hasn’t been experienced by the same breadth of audience as the other games on this list. But that doesn’t prevent it from being a tremendously special game.
Taking a more action-oriented approach than the Souls games, Bloodborne tells a dark, mythical story against a stunning gothic backdrop. With some of the most spectacular art direction and settings in any of the From games, Bloodborne provides an exceedingly unique experience. It, too, features a brilliant range of boss battles and an incredible expansion in The Old Hunters.
A few aspects hold Bloodborne back from attaining a higher spot for me. Being more action-oriented means more limited character build options, combat styles, and interesting loot. And, sadly, the Blood Vial system was more akin to the consumable system found in Demon’s Souls, which has since been re-corrected in their following games.
4. Sekiro
Hesitation is defeat. Even more-so than Bloodborne, Sekiro was a departure from a lot of aspects of the Souls series (while still retaining some core features).
While Sekiro defines the character for the player and utilizes a more traditional skill-tree design, it also introduced a spectacular parry-focused combat system (I would argue the best ever implemented). Almost taking the shape of a rhythm game, Sekiro‘s combat is both endlessly challenging and rewarding. The setting of a mystical, 16th century Japan combines with other recent From traits: an epic story, beautiful backdrops, and memorable, challenging boss fights.
Given the design, I understand why Sekiro provides the character and skill tree for the player. But it’s a detractor for me. And while I appreciate the combat style, and when it clicks it’s absolutely brilliant, I still prefer having the freedom to build my own style in the Souls games.
5. Dark Souls
Stay safe, friend. Don’t you dare go hollow. Dark Souls has had arguably the largest impact on the gaming industry in the past decade. Originally regarded as merely an ultra-hard game for people wanting a challenge, it went on to inspire an endless list of clones and games utilizing its mechanics while escalating FromSoftware to one of the premiere developers in the world.
Being the full realization of some of the ideas put forth by Demon’s Souls, it continues to be an excellent experience today. With memorable characters and the foundational lore-building for one of the greatest series in gaming, I still revisit it from time to time.
Of course, it’s not as polished as the more modern releases and, thus, is more limited in a number of ways. It is more obtuse, the gameplay is a little antiquated, bosses are not as impressive as their newer releases, and it’s generally a little rough around the edges. For some, though, that’s part of its charm.
6. Dark Souls 2
You will lose everything…once branded. Ahh, Dark Souls 2. As the only game in this list that was not directed by Miyazaki (credit to Tomohiro Shibuya Yui Tanimura) since he was tied up with the Dark Souls 1 expansion and Bloodborne, Dark Souls 2 holds a rather odd place among these games.
While it still contains a lot of the same gameplay and themes as Dark Souls, it’s a perfect example of a sequel trying to do too much and, thus, losing some of its identity along the way. While the Scholar of the First Sin edition and the included expansions are great at times, there’s too much filler otherwise.
The vast majority of the boss battles are forgettable, and much of the level design is purposely obtuse or just plain frustrating. While still a memorable game, it simply isn’t up to the standard of the other games here.
7. Demon’s Souls
You have a heart of gold. Don’t let them take it from you. While some will point to King’s Field, it was truly Demon’s Souls that laid the groundwork for many of the modern “Souls game” themes. That said, there are many aspects that hadn’t yet been refined into the experiences we know today.
While the recent remake by Bluepoint on the PS5 is absolutely beautiful and makes it much more enjoyable to play in 2024, its bones are still on display. And that means consumable health items, more linear/gated level design, limited character development, and boring boss battles. While containing some cool secrets, the white and black world system is also relatively annoying.
Closing
The FromSoftware games hold a very special place in my heart. In particular, my top three of Elden Ring, Dark Souls 3, and Bloodborne I have experienced numerous times in different ways and will likely continue to as long I’m playing video games. I am currently playing Elden Ring for the third, full time (to go with my 6th character and over 400 hours of gameplay as of this writing), and I am truly staggered at what FromSoftware has achieved compared to their peers in the industry. My anticipation for their future projects couldn’t be higher.
Patrick
1. Elden Ring
Though previous games provided the blueprint, Elden Ring is the culmination not only of previous FromSoftware games, but gaming in general. When we think of escaping to a video game, we tend to think of adventure, excitement, and all the things that a Jedi craves not, and Elden Ring perfects those thoughts. In the Lands Between, we get to be who we want as we set off in a vast world full of worthwhile exploration, hidden secrets, terrible creatures, unforgettable characters, weapons, magic, adventure, excitement… It has it all, and it brings along a challenge that may seem daunting at first, but it can always be overcome not through impossible skill, but through patience and learning. And thwarting those challenges opens up even more of the wondrous tapestry that never seems to end.
Alone or with others, the adventures become our own. Though many others are trekking along the same world, no one is doing it in quite the same manner. We choose where to go and which strategies to employ, in combat and otherwise, and it is all viable and fun. Every discovery is a clue to something more mysterious, and every death is a lesson learned. Playing video games is so often an escape to the desired impossible, but there is so much that we discover is possible in every moment while experiencing this masterpiece. Not only is Elden Ring the greatest Souls game, it is possibly the greatest video game ever made.
2. Bloodborne
Atmosphere. Aesthetics. These are words that are not only used to describe Bloodborne, but they are used as reasons why the game is so beloved. It is one of the few games I can recall that is remembered so highly not on the basis of gameplay, music, characters, combat systems, or any other of the usual suspects (though it certainly does each of these justice), but rather on the merits of its aesthetics and atmosphere. When a game can pull that off, there must be something absolutely special about those traits.
And, wow, are the atmosphere and aesthetics of Bloodborne something to behold. Each area and enemy oozes character with a sort of charisma that Sirens would be jealous of. There is an excitement that comes from seeing what is around the corner that is lost on so many other games. Coupled with tight controls and more fast-paced action than any of the others on this list, Bloodborne presents a gothic adventure that remains unrivaled in the elements that it presents.
3. Dark Souls 3
Finally, we have the first of the Dark Souls games on this list, and it is for very good reason. With the popularity of Bloodborne in full effect, FromSoftware wanted to inject many of those gamer-pleasing elements into its beloved Souls series. Because the Souls games were known for being more methodical and patient in the combat design, it is a wonder that this marriage of duality actually works, but it most certainly does.
On offer, we have more choices in style than ever with a character that no longer has molasses stuck on the shoes. We also get to see environmental graphics that are as stylized as they are spectacular to look at. The enemy design, too, demonstrates FromSoftware showing off its morbid creativity. While I preferred the aesthetics of Bloodborne (I cannot stress how important and masterful that is for Bloodborne), Dark Souls 3 is absolutely another FromSoftware masterpiece.
4. Dark Souls
“Dark Souls started it all. Why isn’t it higher?” I can hear some saying. But let’s put that to bed: Dark Souls didn’t start it all. In fact, we could debate whether Demon’s Souls, or even King’s Field, started it all (I believe Souls games have their “soul” back in the early NES days). However, there’s no denying that Dark Souls DID ignite the Souls fever fire, much like one if its own fabled bonfires. Though Demon’s Souls took a swing at this concept, Dark Souls hit it out of the park.
For the first time, we saw the Metroid-style design in all its glory. Dark Souls presents a vast, interconnected world that drops the player in and says,
“Alright, that’s enough exposition…go!”
“But there wasn’t any expo-”
“-GO!”
We had to make sense of where to go and what to do. Dark Souls, perhaps, executed the concept of “learn by dying” to a greater degree than any other Souls game. There is no hub that we start in or go to as a “safe base” of sorts, and we quickly learn which areas are “easier” and which lead to the mortuary. The puzzle element of discovering the world kept us engaged, and it was never long before a new path took us to a whole new world of wonder…and death. But much like the early ancestors of gamers who put another coin in the arcade machine to continue, we rose from our grave and gave it one more go, knowing that our bruises were simply keys to unlock even more.
It wasn’t as polished or fun as Dark Souls 3, but it had it where it counts, kid. And many of us continue to come back to where the party really started: good ol’ Dark Souls.
5. Sekiro
This is a weird one, for sure. It’s much more stylized being that it is set in a mythical Japanese world, and it is much more limiting in its gameplay given that you play as a specific character who is a shinobi-samurai hybrid. As such, some players were put off due to the gameplay being parry-focused. It’s also more linear than other Souls games, though you do have the freedom to choose some paths over others from time to time.
But whereas other Souls games focus on atmosphere, level design, and freedom of choice in character and combat, Sekiro is all about the gameplay. As such, Sekiro contains, perhaps, the most exciting combat in a Souls game. After you acclimate yourself to the rhythmic nature of the combat design, it becomes a zen-like experience that provides a rush unlike any other Souls-style title. It is refreshing, and I truly hope we get more “experiments” like Sekiro.
6. Demon’s Souls
This is the first true Souls game in the series. While Dark Souls ignited the flame, Demon’s Souls provided the spark (the King’s Field games do not count here because they were more akin to a lighter failing to spark, over and over, until the Demon’s Souls spark occurred). For those going back to Demon’s Souls after playing the Dark Souls games, they may be thrown off a bit by the fact that Demon’s Souls takes place in “stages” of sorts, where you pick separate enclosed areas, Mega Man style, and have at it. As such, the Metroid-style connectivity of level design is truncated; the stages DO have that sort of design, but on a much smaller scale due to the smaller size of each area.
The Souls heartbeat, however, is very much present in Demon’s Souls. It is by no means a bad experience, and it essentially put in place the final blueprint for the Souls formula before the Dark Souls contractors used it to build an empire. The familiar gameplay systems are fully intact here, and if you can get past the smaller level design, clunkier feel, and the off-putting “World Tendency” system, you will find some true magic in Demon’s Souls.
7. Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2 is the Souls game that people love to throw stones and mud at. And here I am, putting it last on my list. Understand this: Dark Souls 2 is a fine game! It may not have the polish, design, direction, and many other characteristics of the higher-rated games on this list, but that doesn’t mean that it should be avoided. It simply means that it doesn’t quite reach the benchmark found in these other experiences.
So, what are the differences that led Dark Souls 2 to its dismal fate? It really is a culmination of systems and designs not being as great as the other games. Level design seems haphazard and careless, like areas suddenly becoming completely different biomes for no worldly reason. This DOES exist in other Souls games but is much more prevalent here. Grinding for power has been controversially addressed as enemies will only respawn a certain number of times before disappearing entirely unless an action is taken to make the area permanently more difficult. Combat and control systems feel clunkier and don’t marry together as well as other games. We could go on and on, but the point is that it is still very much a fun and whimsical game experience, but it simply falls short of the others.
Closing
…and there we have it! My list of FromSoftware Souls-style games ranked from greatest to least. I’ve alluded to this a few times, and I’ll say it here: every game on this list is a fantastic experience, and I would fully recommend playing each of them. There are some great memories that each game will burn into your mind with unforgettable set pieces, terrifying enemy designs, brilliant boss battles, epic locations, whimsical secrets, and engaging exploration. Every game has each of these, and it is a testament to FromSoftware that they can continue to improve on their addictive formula.
Who knows where FromSoftware will go in the future from here? DLC for Elden Ring is highly anticipated. What experiences will come next? Which new directions will they tackle? Will there ever be a Bloodborne 2? We’ll have to wait and see. But in the mean time, it is comforting knowing that, like a selection of good books, each of these games is readily available to play anytime we may want to wander a bit into madness. Now, if you’ll excuse me…
Zach
Twitter / Threads
I started playing FromSoftware’s games on the release of Elden Ring, which just so happens to correlate with the time I started writing, with my first article being “Why aren’t you playing Elden Ring?”. From that point I spent 2022-2023 catching up on the thrilling rewards and boosts of confidence these aspiring bleak fantasy games offer. The order I played these games is: Elden Ring, Sekiro, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Demon Souls, Bloodborne, and Dark Souls 3. For each of these titles, I have finished the campaign at least once, including all offered DLC. For some, I even got the secret ending due to how much I would explore and try to solve NPC quests. I also spent a great deal of time invading and engaging in PVP in each of these titles: the games went from being something I’d look at with disdain, like I’d never have the time to enjoy them, to becoming my favorite genre.
1. Dark Souls
I absolutely adored the level design, lore, and aesthetic that was introduced to me here. With the obvious Berserk references, surprising inter-connectivity, and plot, this one is where I truly fell in love with the lore of FROMSOFT’s titles despite playing it over a decade past release. I loved everything about the macabre nature of enemies, inter-connected areas, and distinguishable bosses. The only memory that I loathe from this experience is Bed of Chaos, which was frustrating simply because of its distance to a bonfire. I also really loved the change to PVP that pre-dates the systems in Elden Ring. I enjoyed being able to invade just one player, or more, if they were human. Plus… Artorias and Sif…need I say more? Praise the Sun!
2. Bloodborne
Being a die-hard horror fanatic, this game’s aesthetic and different combat loop had me in love with this entry. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the fast-paced nature of dodging/parrying and trick weapons while exploring the Van Helsing-esque design of beautiful grotesque and macabre enemies/environments. With a plot more ambiguous than Dark Souls, I really enjoyed immersing myself and trying to make deductions, crafting my own understanding of the game’s events. Another point to touch on is the Old Hunters DLC, which I consider to be one of my favorite installments in content with the most fun boss fights in the entire game.
3. Dark Souls 3
This marked the return of my favorite aesthetic in armors, weapons, and dark environmental storytelling, not to mention that the bosses are some of my favorite in FROMSOFT’s catalogue, with the likes of Pontif and Nameless really giving me a run for my money. PVP is a thrill, and getting lost in the references to Dark Souls is euphoric. What truly shined a light in this entry was being able to cosplay my favorite fallen abyssal knight: Artorias. I absolutely adore the design of the aesthetic and seeing the return of certain characters from the first game. The only absence I truly felt was my friend, Solaire. I do love Siegemeyer, though, with the second best NPC Questline in the entire series.
I am still currently finishing this title up, but it may jump to my number one spot once I do finish it. I haven’t had any gripes with it besides the return of Storm Ruler making Yhorm a bit underwhelming.
4. Elden Ring
Don’t hate me: this was my first FromSoftware title, and it is where I initially fell in love with the rewarding nature of Souls games in general. I love it, but it gets a little too George R. R. Martin for my tastes lore-wise, and the Fingers…um…yeah. The aesthetic is dark and grotesque, but not the way that I love the art style of Dark Souls or Bloodborne for my interests. Another reason this one is ranked lower is because of the invasion system. Don’t get me wrong, the coliseum is fun as hell, but I love to invade. Unfortunately, invading in Elden Ring is a nightmare. Most players don’t want to go through the game solo, and you will ALWAYS invade a team of two. Most times it’ll be a level 300+ dude that loved the game leading his noob friend through the game, which I commend. But by golly if finding gankers and broken scaled builds don’t crush the fun you can have from a fair fight.
5. Demon’s Souls
I loved playing through the remake and seeing the foundations that FromSoftware laid out to bestow the rest of these great games upon the world. My biggest criticism is the gimmick boss fights. I will say one of my favorite concepts of this title is the boss fight where YOU can become the boss for someone else’s playthrough. I spent hours at that world invading and getting selected to be a player’s big bad. Win or lose, I had an exhilarating time doing this. There were maybe one or two boss fights that I found thrilling in the campaign for my own playthrough, with the most memorable being the Penetrator. (heh)
6. Sekiro
Beating this title is something that I wear like a badge of honor as it’s, by far, the most challenging game I have ever played, with a beautiful, layered story, yet not as much creativity to build as I would have liked. I loved my experience, but will I ever re-download it? Not unless I get really bored and want to punish myself.
I will say Sekiro is the most rewarding title in From’s catalogue. When I finally beat Genichuro or the Owl and watched my gameplay played back, I felt like I was watching an anime epic.
7. Dark Souls 2
Ugh…The only title in FromSoftware’s catalogue that I would not rate in the high 8-10’s in terms of experience. The level design and gank NPC’s made this one hard to enjoy, along with the stat changes (why would rolling I-frames be a stat?). The only experience that I found enjoyable is what I consider one of the hardest bosses FromSoftware has ever created in Fume Knight. However, the worst experience, which almost made me give up on finishing the game, was the run to the Blue Smelter Demon boss. You read that right: it was the run from the lantern to the fog. I will say, though, that the DLC is the best of this title, yet I still found it completely forgettable except for my negative feelings toward certain areas.
Closing
I’m very excited for the Elden Ring DLC. I love all of FromSoftware’s catalogue (except DS2), but what I truly want from these fantastic developers and Miyazaki is more Bloodborne or, at the very least, a Bloodborne remaster (on PC of course). I love the sharp, dark, grotesque, worlds FromSoftware has taken me through; all I want is more. This genre, in itself, has become one of my favorites, and it’s a niche I plan to live in for a very long time.
Alex
Twitter / Threads
FromSoftware’s Souls franchise and its offshoots are, bar none, one of the most influential franchises over this past decade of gaming. Just the fact you can see this deliberate style of action game all over is a testament to how impactful their core tenets, which were considered niche back in 2009’s Demon’s Souls, have become in today’s landscape. And even with many copy cats that have come and gone, none nail the feel of a FromSoftware Souls game.
That feel is certainly one that took me a while to warm over to. I certainly can’t say I was a fan of these games at first, bouncing off quickly from the Souls games until things started clicking into place with 2015’s Bloodborne (the first one of these games I beat) and then solidifying my love with this style with 2022’s Elden Ring.
Having now gone back to the entire Souls catalogue that started with 2009’s Demon’s Souls, here’s how I rank the games:
1.Bloodborne
If I have to wear an objective hat and tell you what is the best Souls game, I would say probably Elden Ring. It’s the expected answer, especially with what a ground-shaking moment that game was when it was released in 2022. While its accomplishments are certainly obvious to crown it, I also have to be honest with myself on which has been the FromSoftware game I personally loved the most, enough so that I have beaten it three times total. The one that became my first love with this style of game, and the one where I finally got it: Bloodborne.
There are many ways you can say Bloodborne may not be the best FromSoftware title, from its lack of RPG build diversity that was found in the Dark Souls trilogy before it, or its farming of blood vials for healing items compared to the regular Estus Flask, or even the fact that the game still runs with its frame pacing issues like it did back in 2015 when it launched on the base PS4 since it never got a proper enhancement with the PS4 Pro/PS5 or a proper PC Port. All valid criticisms…yet I don’t share them.
Similar to how I respected Sekiro for its more focused approach, Bloodborne laser focuses more on its dodging/gun parrying style that gives the game an aggressive edge you can really master which helped me break through with this style of game in the way the previous Souls games didn’t for me at the time. It was a brilliant way of taking what was a clear formula and narrowing it down to one style while still giving it enough flavor to make it feel your own. Even slight annoyances like the farming of blood vials eventually made me scour and really connect with this world and its monstrosities deeper than I was expecting. And I shit you not, the “framepacing” issues never bothered me personally (though I certainly would love if this game ever had 60fps like every Souls game nowadays). And when you pair it with this “Van Helsing meets HP Lovecraft in cosmic weirdness” vibe that’s an absolutely favorite kind of aesthetic for me, along with some really disturbing boss fights, and it’s no contest as to why Bloodborne remains my personal favorite game that FromSoftware has made. There is a reason you always see people begging for it to get remastered.
2. Elden Ring
What is there to say about Elden Ring that probably hasn’t been said already? FromSoftware considered everything they have learned since they started their trajectory with Demon’s Souls, then they took almost all its best parts and overlaid them in what’s probably the most impressive open-world game ever made. The sense of discovery that made their previous games so special was elevated tenfold with Elden Ring, and the size, scale, and breadth of this entire game is such that you could still randomly find massive new environments you never knew existed. The amount of content that there is in this thing is so expansive and, at times, exhaustive, but it’s a massive feat that it was able to come together as brilliantly as it did. I can’t wait to see developers learn the right lessons trying to recreate the magic that permeates this thing.
The only reason this isn’t my #1 is the quality of the boss fights, where there are so many in this game that true standouts (ie. Malenia and Malekith, to name a few) are few and far between; boss movement readability takes a massive step back, in my eyes, where it felt like they expected players to rely on a Mimic Tear instead; and the Elden Beast is the worst boss fight possible to end the game on. But still, it is a monumental accomplishment.
3. Dark Souls 3
After the unwelcome shift that was Dark Souls 2, THIS is more like it. Dark Souls 3 absolutely feels like the proper sequel to the original Dark Souls. For some, returning to the original setting of the first game made this game feel “safer” and less bold than what came before. For others (like me) who loved the setting and vibe of that first game, returning to it with an updated look and the advantage of the passage of time allowed Dark Souls 3 to be FromSoftware’s most refined take on the formula, with some of the best boss battles of the entire franchise. There are some real bastards in this boss lineup (Pontyff Sullivan, Nameless King, etc.), but the way the formula and feel of the game has steadily improved made trudging through the challenges an absolute joy. FromSoftware gave their Dark Souls trilogy a wonderful send off with this installment.
4. Dark Souls
I certainly remember ignoring this one back during the onslaught of releases that was the Fall of 2011, thinking it was one of the least important games of that era. Silly me. With FromSoftware’s second go, this spiritual sequel to Demon’s Souls basically solidified the template for what makes a Souls-like. While certainly filled to the brim with some real pain points (Sen’s Fortress and BlightTown, to name a few), the world of Lordran is a marvel of interconnected design and so full of rich detail and history. The real magic that defines a great Souls game is solidified in Dark Souls, and the game is so packed full to the brim with content and creative design, it’s a marvel Miyazaki and company still had more in the tank after this. Even with some jank here and there, this game’s high points (the world, boss fights, lore) are truly remarkable.
They certainly “went for broke” and left no stone unturned for this outing, and even with the better entries that came after, what they still did with this first game remains something truly special once you get it.
5. Demon’s Souls
The one that kicked it all off certainly impresses in how so many of its core design tenets that went to power an entire franchise enterprise were born here, and they hold up mostly well. Although it lacks the interconnected world that came to define the later portions of the franchise, and it certainly has some absolute bullshit in some of these worlds, there is a reason the appeal of this kind of game managed to take its hold on so many people. While certainly improved upon mostly by what came after (Dark Souls 2 aside), it definitely works nowadays more as a historical touchstone to the birth of this style of game, absolutely made even better with its 2020 remake.
6. Sekiro
If there is something I can certainly praise 2019’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for, it’s the absolute commitment to its singular approach to rhythm-based, pitch perfect parry combat. By intentionally paring back any semblance of RPG build diversity to force you to master the art of the parry, Sekiro is certainly modern FromSoftware’s most unique title and a benchmark when it comes to sword-on-sword combat with a truly satisfying feel to it. It’s also an unnervingly, rage-inducing, absolutely brutally difficult video game. You either fully adapt to its particular idiosyncrasies and its razor thin bosses, or you are out crying. If you really wanna know what punishment feels like, play Sekiro.
7. Dark Souls 2
Screw this game. As the one Souls entry in the trilogy not made by Hidetaka Miyazaki as he was busy toiling away at Bloodborne, you can certainly feel the difference with Dark Souls 2 when it comes to character movement, encounter rules and design, and just general cheapness. While the hub in Majula is certainly a calming vibe (that music), and its semi-open-ended design was an intriguing initial test bed leading to what would eventually make Elden Ring so special, Dark Souls 2 is the one Souls game from FromSoftware that I truly despise, whose redeeming qualities just disappear with the unnecessary changes made for the sake of changes. I’ve heard about its great DLC, and I still don’t care. It’s a good thing I did find more to love with the rest of their output.
Eric
Twitter / Threads
I started off playing Demon’s Souls on the PS3 but never really got too into it as I mostly played PvP games at the time. When Dark Souls launched, I picked it up and honestly didn’t play much of that either for similar reasons. However, a few years later I became much more cultured and snagged Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin for super cheap via a pricing error at Gamestop, and, well… I found out what I had been missing.
After completing that, I immediately played the first game via backwards compatibility on the Xbox One and have been there for every release since. The Souls series, and the sub-genre it has spawned, has become one of my favorites. I honestly think it might be one of the best innovations, or collections of mechanics, to become popularized in the last decade plus of video games.
1. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is not only the best game on this list, but it could quite possibly be the best game ever made, full stop. It is essentially FromSoftware taking 3+ sequels to Dark Souls 3,and scattering them across a ginormous map. Then, you are simply plopped down into that map and asked to live in this world for the next month of your life.
The scale, scope, and most importantly, player agency, that is found in Elden Ring is just something that has not been matched by any other game. Nothing was sacrificed from what was already an impeccable experience in Dark Souls 3; it was only expanded upon… greatly.
2. Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 3 takes the impeccable foundation of the original Dark Souls and also adds to it the best bits of Dark Souls 2. Then it pops about 100 Soul’s of a Great Champion and levels up everything aspect to the max.
The world is full of awesome dark fantasy details. The gear, character, and monster design is on another level. The music is incredible and adds so much to phenomenal boss battles, some of which are still the best in the series to this day. In terms of a pure Dark Souls experience, there is no rival. P.S., Shout out to The Nameless King, still my favorite boss of all time <3
3. Dark Souls
While Demon’s Souls technically came first, the original Dark Souls was where it all came together for the first time. While the formula has been refined even further since the release of Dark Souls, during the time it came out, it took the world by storm. The issues with Demon’s Souls punishing body/soul mechanics were tuned down, and more variety was added to the combat.
Most importantly, though, the Kingdom of Lordran was a vast, expansive, and interconnected masterpiece of level design. Each time you enter a new area, you are filled with a lot of wonder and a little bit of fear, only to then have that fear wash away as you find out how it reconnects to previous areas. It was a feeling unlike any other back in 2011.
4. Sekiro
Like Bloodborne, Sekiro also makes drastic changes to the typical Souls setting and tone while removing even more of the RPG mechanics. On paper this sounds really bad, but in execution, Ashina was, in my opinion, the most beautiful world FromSoftware had created upon its release. It is full of some of the most striking scenes and moments we had seen in the series up until that point.
Sword and board was once again off the table as Sekiro has, by far, the least amount of choice in terms of how you engage with the combat systems, while the game, itself, also feels smaller in scale and scope than we are used to. However, this is remedied by the game never overstaying its welcome and by just how insanely refined and polished the combat you engage in is. It’s truly some of the best melee combat I have ever experienced, full stop.
5. Dark Souls 2
Full disclosure: I only played Dark Souls 2: Scholars of the First Sin, which is an awesome game. A lot of the faults I’ve heard people bring up with regards to Dark Souls 2 don’t seem to apply to that version, for the most part.
Dark Souls 2 was the first Souls game I finished, the first one played at 60fps, and the first one I played co-op in. While it does have some explaining to do in terms of how some of the zones/environments make any sense logistically, it, at the same time, has the best hub in the series with Majula. It also had one of the best PvP scenes in the series.
6. Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Souls deserves a ton of credit for being the originator of a lot of the mechanics and intricacies that make up the Dark Souls series we all love. The remake from Bluepoint games also holds the title of best looking game in the series by a large margin. Demon’s Souls really did walk so Dark Souls could run.
That being said, the Souls genre still had not reached its final form here since Demon’s Souls desperately misses the exploratory / interconnected aspects of the games that would come after it. I also found the body and soul mechanics found here to be a little too punishing, which is saying a lot coming from a Souls fan.
7. Bloodborne
I want to first and foremost say that the “worst” game on a list made up of only exceptional gaming experiences is still an exceptional game in and of itself. With that being said, while Bloodborne offers one of the most stunning and unique FromSoftware worlds, it comes at a cost. The game strips away a lot of the RPG mechanics and build options present within its contemporaries. I’m someone who prefers to play as a big, plate mail-wearing sword and board juggernaut in my FromSoftware games, and that playstyle is just not compatible within Bloodborne‘s build limitations.
They did make some interesting changes to the combat that tried to remedy this, but it was not as successful in that regard as another title further up on this list. It’s also the only title on this held prisoner on an old platform at 30fps; perhaps an update could change its position here…
Closing
The Souls series is one of the best in gaming and has bucked the trend that is common with sequels, as it seems to be just getting better and better. What I’d like to see in the future is obviously an Elden Ring DLC or expansion. That being said, though, I would not say no to a fresh take in a new setting. Seeing how they have conquered the fantasy, gothic, and Asian mythology settings, it would be interesting to see them attempt something new. My vote is for science fiction!
Summary Rankings
In the end, our five contributors who adore the FromSoftware games came away with some rather unique rankings. No matter what, all of these games are worth playing with some ranking among the greatest games ever released. It’s a testament to FromSoftware and Director Miyazaki how consistent they have been in quality. When all is said and done, here is the average ranking for each title:
Elden Ring : 1.8
Dark Souls 3 : 2.6
Bloodborne : 3.0
Dark Souls : 3.4
Sekiro : 5.0
Demon’s Souls : 5.8
Dark Souls 2 : 6.4
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