Difficult games are not a new phenomenon popularized bySoulsgames. I feel it’s important to say that, considering how the term ‘hard game’ is usually not long followed by an obligatory mention ofDark Soulsthese days. Games likeContra,Battletoads, andGhosts N' Goblinsreally blazed the trail for hard games. But I will concede that, unlike those games, Soulsgames are incredibly hard to get into, as the barrier of entry is so high.
Every FromSoftware Soulsborne Game, Ranked
Which of Miyazaki’s marvels is the best Souls game of all?
It just doesn’t seem like a natural starting point for potential Souls fans, and if you do run into trouble, you’ll probably just get told to ‘Git Gud’. But I want to try and bridge the gap with a handful of beginner Soulslikes that will help you ease your way into the genre as you work up to the more grueling Souls games out there.
So, in a bid to find your sweet spot, we are going to begin with the harder beginner Soulslike options, and as you scroll, the games listed will get easier and easier. So when you see one you deem manageable, that’s your point of entry!
10Bloodborne
Luck Be With You On The Night Of The Hunt
Difficulty for Beginners
Metacritic Score
I’m only going to include this and one other FromSoftgame on this list, and I need to stress that this is by some stretch the hardest of the ‘easy’ Souls games listed. But hear me out.Bloodborneoffers a change in the required playstyle that will suit beginner Soulsplayers more than veteran Soulsplayers. You see, this game really pushes players to take more risks and play more dynamically and often punishes players for trying to play things too safe.
So, if you’re used to hiding behind your shield inDark Souls, it can be tough to shift gears. But if you have no point of reference, or play a lot of RPG melee games likeThe Witcher,for example, you just might take to this one like a duck to water. You know, if that duck got stabbed repeatedly and died over and over again. If it’s too tough, maybe consider the others on this list, but if you want what I regard as the bestSoulsexperience to be your maiden voyage into the genre, give it a bash.
9Elden Ring
As Accessible As Miyazaki Will Allow
Bloodborneis great and all, but if you’re determined to start your Souls journey with a FromSoft game, thenElden Ringis by far the most accessible of the bunch. I’m of the opinion that if you’re able to bite the bullet and jump into a FromSoft Soulsgame, you should. But that doesn’t mean you need to jump in at the deep end, andElden Ringis a great starting point as the open-world format allows players to explore and engage with whatever they want and dictate the difficulty.
Now, cards on the table, this is still a very difficult game, and when things funnel toward the end of the game in The Ashen Capital, it becomes just as hard as the top-tier difficult Soulsgames due to the gauntlet-run nature of that area. But the more gradual progression and freedom thatElden Ringoffers in the early and mid-game makes it easily the most palatable game in FromSoftware’s catalog.
8Remnant 2
Dark Souls With Guns? What’s Not To Love?
Do you know what would make a Souls game a lot easier? Guns. That’s exactly the notion that theRemnantseries takes and runs with to create a game that has all the familiarity and dynamism of an over-the-shoulder shooter, with the added caveat of being punishing like a traditional Soulsgame. But the good news is that there are a lot of ways to make this even more manageable.
You can select an ‘easy’ difficulty, which is a luxury never afforded in traditional Souls games. You can play this one in co-op, which really makes this game a breeze, honestly. Plus, there are loads of OP tank builds that give you a lot of room for error. I would argue it’s a little too far removed from Souls games to actually make you better at the ‘real’ ones, but if you’re just looking for a taste, then this is just the ticket.
7Hollow Knight
Looks Like A Cute Platformer, Plays Like A Soulslike
WhileHollow Knightmay look like a cute and cozy game on paper, I assure you, it’s anything but. This magical little Metroidvania offers an experience that is about as close to 2DDark Soulsas you’re able to get, aside from perhapsSalt and Sanctuary, but more on that later. It’s a game with insanely tough bosses, a story told through its environmental design, and never holds the player’s hand once.
You’ll lose your in-game money if you don’t recover your Shade, every enemy variant is capable of taking you down if you dare underestimate them, and benches act like bonfires in this game. The similarities are clear as day. But the good news is, with a little exploration, you’ll find charms and upgrades that will make the base game manageable, even if you do struggle with games like this. So, if you want a Metroidvania with a Soulslike edge, thenHollow Knightis what you want.
6Salt and Sanctuary
The Closest Thing To 2D Dark Souls
Let’s double down on 2D Souls games with the game that does the best job of offering a faithful 2D adaption ofDark Souls.Salt and Sanctuaryhas all the bells and whistles you would expect within aDark Soulsentry. A mysterious and eerie fantasy world, mob enemies that are capable of tearing you limb from limb, and bosses waiting in the wings that are tailor-made to do the same, but much more efficiently.
Is Elden Ring the Best Way to Get into Dark Souls?
It’s a hard game, but the reason I include this for beginners is that the 2D plain and map system makes exploration much easier, the variety of builds within the game, like Paladin and Cleric, are super beginner-friendly, and unlike 3D Souls games, this game avoids using tricks or gimmicks to provide cheap deaths and unfair moments. You’re still in for an uphill battle, but one that will prepare you for tougher challenges ahead of you within the genre.
5Mortal Shell
You’ll Harden As The Experience Unfolds
This may feel a little weird as a beginner’s entry, because, if I’m honest, the opening few hours ofMortal Shellare probably some of the hardest in Souls history, at least until you master the harden ability. However, if you stick with this game, you soon see that this is a bit of a red herring, as the game only gets easier with time. This is because you will gain access to more shells, which act as your shield, among other things, within the game, and with each upgrade, the game becomes more trivial.
That’s not to say this isn’t a challenging Soulsgame. It will still ask the player to master the game’s unique mechanics, play with caution, and learn the choreography of each boss battle. But due to the tools the game gives you to make this happen, and the fact that the game is much shorter than most Souls games, this is a great way to dip your toe in the Soulslikepool.
Pick Your Poison
Team 17 has made a lot of great stuff where indie games are concerned, but even I was surprised when they backed a rather successful Soulslikein the form ofThymesia. This game sees you play as Corvus, an alchemist who holds the key to saving the world in his noggin, but wouldn’t you know, he’s got a touch of the ol' amnesia. So you’ll need to explore the corrupted, horror-filled world in the hope of jogging his memory and finding a way to restore hope to the land.
This naturally means fighting a series of terrifying bosses, and mastering the unique poison-based combat mechanics that require players to remain on the offensive. However, as a whole, due to the overpowered skills, the side content that allows you to level up beyond what is needed, and the fact that the game just doesn’t ask as much of you compared to a truly brutal Souls game,Thymesiaserves as a brilliant place for non-Souls players to hop into the genre
3Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Dark Side. Dark Souls. Same Difference
For our next beginner Soulsadventure, let’s head to a galaxy far, far away. It may come as a surprise, but thisStar Warsepic is actually a pretty good starting point for Souls fans who want to learn the basic principles of combat. The reason may be partly because Respawncould never quite nail what Souls combat is, meaning it’s a lovechild of Soulscombat and typical hack-and-slash mechanics, but hey, whatever works.
While the first game,Jedi: Fallen Order, was a little iffy due to one-note combat and absolutely terrible navigation and backtracking,Survivorfeels like the real deal. It has large open areas to explore, varied combat options, and a cracking story. So, if you want to get into Soul games by embracing your inner Jedi, this is the one for you.
Souls Games Don’t Get Much More Forgiving Than This
Much like Team 17 publishing a Soulslike was crazy, seeingAnnapurna Interactivedo the same was wild. But much likeThymesia, they managed to back a Soulslike hit that’s ideal for beginners looking to ease into the genre.Ashenis a game set in a procedurally generated world that can change in mere moments, and your goal is to survive, adapt to the world around you, and find a place to settle down and call home.
This means setting up camp and then exploring the world around you to improve your settlement, and this leads to fights with hulking bosses, navigating treacherous terrain, and probably dying a few times. But thanks to the passive multiplayer, you’ll likely find fellow adventurers on your travels willing to lend a hand. Plus, as much as this is a Soulsgame, it is one where the open nature of the game allows you to progress at your own pace, and the difficulty is dialed down in general. Still, give it the respect it deserves, as it’s no pushover, but it’s definitely easier than most.
A Soulslike Where The Difficulty Is Up To You
Then, lastly, we have a game that admittedly is more in line with a top-downZeldagame, but due to the steep difficulty curve, the interconnected world, and punishing bosses, Souls fans will agree thatTunicis a stone’s throw away from aSoulslike. But, here’s the thing. While the base difficulty is very tough, and I meanverytough. Thanks to the accessibility settings, you have the option to completely tailor the difficulty to your skill level.
This essentially means that this is the only Soulslike game out there where you are completely in charge of how challenging the process is. Best of all, even if you completely eradicate difficulty, it’s still a very enjoyable game based on exploration and puzzle-solving. If every other game above knocked you on your butt, then this is hands-down the best option, because inTunic, you’re in charge.
