Dark Souls or Elden Ring First: Which Soulslike Should You Conquer?
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The age-old question plagues newcomers to the world of Soulslike games: where do I start? With FromSoftware’s intricate worlds, punishing difficulty, and rewarding gameplay, diving into the genre can be daunting. The choice often boils down to two titans: Dark Souls and Elden Ring. So, which one should you tackle first?
The straightforward answer is: Elden Ring is generally a more accessible and forgiving entry point for newcomers than Dark Souls. While both games share core mechanics, Elden Ring’s open world provides numerous advantages for learning the ropes, experimenting with builds, and mitigating difficulty spikes.
Why Elden Ring Makes a Better Starting Point
Elden Ring’s design caters to a broader audience without sacrificing the core tenets of the Soulslike experience. Here’s why it’s a more beginner-friendly option:
- Open World Exploration: Unlike the interconnected but largely linear environments of Dark Souls, Elden Ring’s open world allows players to freely explore, discover secrets, and level up at their own pace. If a boss proves too challenging, you can simply ride off and return later, stronger and better equipped.
- Spirit Ashes (Summons): Elden Ring introduces Spirit Ashes, summonable AI companions that can assist in combat. These summons can be incredibly helpful for taking the heat off the player and providing valuable damage output, especially during challenging boss encounters.
- Variety of Builds and Playstyles: Elden Ring offers an unprecedented level of customization with its wide array of weapons, spells, armor, and skills. This allows players to experiment and find a build that suits their playstyle, whether it’s a heavily armored knight, a nimble rogue, or a powerful sorcerer.
- More Forgiving Progression: Dying in Elden Ring, while still punishing, doesn’t feel as restrictive as in Dark Souls. The ability to retrieve your Runes (souls) from your point of death is made easier by the open world, reducing frustration and allowing for more consistent progress.
- Jump Button: A seemingly small addition, the jump button in Elden Ring adds a new dimension to exploration and combat. It allows players to navigate terrain more easily and even dodge attacks, providing a greater sense of control.
When Dark Souls Might Be a Better Choice
Despite Elden Ring’s advantages for beginners, Dark Souls might be a more suitable starting point for some players. Here’s why:
- Focused Design: Dark Souls’ interconnected world provides a more focused and curated experience. The tighter level design and lack of an open world eliminate potential distractions and force players to engage with the game’s core mechanics and challenges in a deliberate way.
- Traditional Soulslike Experience: Dark Souls offers a more pure and traditional Soulslike experience, without the added complexities of Elden Ring’s open world and summon mechanics. This can be appealing to players who want to experience the genre in its purest form.
- Story and Lore: While both games have intricate lore, some players find the story and worldbuilding of Dark Souls more engaging and easier to follow. The interconnectedness of the world and the narrative threads that tie it together create a compelling and memorable experience.
Understanding Your Preferences
Ultimately, the best starting point depends on your personal preferences:
- Do you prefer open-world games with a lot of exploration and customization? Elden Ring is the clear choice.
- Do you prefer a more focused and linear experience with a greater emphasis on tight level design and challenging combat? Dark Souls might be a better fit.
- Are you easily frustrated by difficult games? Elden Ring’s Spirit Ashes and open world can help mitigate the difficulty.
- Do you want to experience the Soulslike genre in its purest form? Dark Souls offers a more traditional experience.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into the Soulslike Universe
Is Elden Ring Easier Than Dark Souls?
Generally, yes. Elden Ring is more forgiving due to its open world, Spirit Ashes, and adaptable builds. However, some individual bosses in Elden Ring can be incredibly challenging, arguably more so than any boss in the Dark Souls series.
What Makes Dark Souls So Difficult?
Dark Souls is difficult due to its punishing combat system, unforgiving level design, and lack of hand-holding. The game expects players to learn through trial and error, adapt to challenges, and master its mechanics. It’s a game that actively punishes mistakes.
Is Bloodborne Harder Than Dark Souls?
Many players consider Bloodborne to be harder than Dark Souls due to its faster-paced combat and emphasis on aggressive playstyles. Bloodborne rewards offensive maneuvers and punishes turtling behind a shield, making it a more demanding experience.
Which Dark Souls Game Is the Easiest?
Subjectivity aside, many players consider Dark Souls 3 to be the easiest entry in the Dark Souls trilogy. Its streamlined combat and more linear progression make it a more accessible experience than the original Dark Souls. However, others might find the first Dark Souls to be easier due to its slower pace.
Is Elden Ring the Hardest Soulslike Game?
No, Elden Ring is not the hardest Soulslike game. While it certainly presents a challenge, its open world, Spirit Ashes, and wide variety of builds make it a more manageable experience than games like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, or even some entries in the Dark Souls series.
What Is the Best Class to Start With in Elden Ring for Beginners?
The Vagabond class is widely considered the best starting class for beginners in Elden Ring. It begins with decent armor, a shield, and a sword, providing a solid foundation for learning the game’s combat mechanics. The Confessor is also another great option because it starts with good stats and healing abilities.
What Is the Hardest Class to Play in Elden Ring?
The Wretch class is by far the most challenging class to play in Elden Ring, especially in the early game. It starts at level 1 with minimal equipment and balanced stats, forcing players to rely on their skills and knowledge of the game to survive.
Can I Pause Dark Souls?
No, you cannot pause Dark Souls in the traditional sense, although Dark Souls 3 does allow you to pause when playing offline. The inability to pause adds to the game’s tension and requires players to be constantly vigilant. Elden Ring does not allow you to pause.
Is Elden Ring Just Like Dark Souls?
While Elden Ring shares many similarities with Dark Souls, it also introduces new mechanics and features that differentiate it from its predecessors. The open world, Spirit Ashes, and jump button are just a few examples of the innovations that Elden Ring brings to the table. However, the core combat and exploration remain similar.
Why Are Soulslike Games So Addictive?
Soulslike games are addictive due to their challenging but rewarding gameplay, intricate world design, and sense of accomplishment. Overcoming difficult obstacles and mastering the game’s mechanics provides a deep sense of satisfaction that keeps players coming back for more.
Is Elden Ring As Fun As Dark Souls 3?
Whether Elden Ring is more fun than Dark Souls 3 is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Elden Ring offers a vast open world and unparalleled customization, while Dark Souls 3 provides a more focused and curated experience. Both games offer a unique and engaging experience that appeals to different types of players.
Will I Like Elden Ring If I Don’t Like Dark Souls?
It’s possible. Elden Ring’s open world and more forgiving mechanics might appeal to players who were turned off by the difficulty and linear progression of Dark Souls. However, if you fundamentally dislike the challenging combat and exploration that define the Soulslike genre, you might not enjoy Elden Ring either.
How Important Is Lore in Elden Ring and Dark Souls?
Lore is a significant aspect of both Elden Ring and Dark Souls, adding depth and context to the game’s world and characters. While the lore is often presented in an oblique and fragmented manner, it rewards players who take the time to piece together the story and understand the history of the game’s setting.
Where Can I Learn More About Game Design and Learning Principles?
The Games Learning Society is an excellent resource for exploring the intersection of game design, learning, and educational theory. You can find valuable insights and research on the power of games in education and development at GamesLearningSociety.org.
What Are the Essential Skills for Succeeding in Soulslike Games?
Essential skills for succeeding in Soulslike games include patience, observation, adaptability, and perseverance. Players must be willing to learn from their mistakes, experiment with different strategies, and master the game’s mechanics. These skills are transferable to real-world problems, teaching resilience and problem-solving.
Ultimately, the choice between Dark Souls and Elden Ring is a personal one. However, considering Elden Ring’s more accessible design, it is generally recommended as a first entry point. Regardless of your choice, prepare to die, learn, and experience one of the most rewarding gaming genres out there!