Level Up Your Skills: What Games to Play Before Diving into Elden Ring
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So you’re eagerly awaiting your journey through the Lands Between in Elden Ring? That’s fantastic! But before you embark on this epic adventure, you might be wondering if there are other games that can prepare you for the unique challenges and triumphs that await. The answer is a resounding YES! Several titles, particularly those from the Soulsborne genre, can significantly enhance your Elden Ring experience by familiarizing you with its core mechanics, combat style, and world-building philosophy.
The Definitive Pre-Elden Ring Playlist
If you’re looking to truly understand the lineage and design principles that underpin Elden Ring, the ideal pathway involves diving into the games that came before it, specifically those crafted by FromSoftware. This isn’t about strict chronological order, but rather about building a foundation that allows you to appreciate the evolution of the formula. Here’s our recommended list:
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Demon’s Souls (Remake or Original): This is where it all began. Demon’s Souls is the grandfather of the Soulsborne genre, and playing it will give you valuable insight into the slower, more methodical combat that defined the early games. It also features a unique, interconnected world design that differs from later titles. If you can access the recent remake, it’s an excellent way to experience this classic with modern polish. It’s also comparatively easier than later Dark Souls games, making it a gentle entry point to the Soulsborne style.
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Dark Souls Remastered: Next, plunge into Dark Souls, the game that truly popularized the genre. This title boasts a meticulously crafted world with tight level design and interconnected areas. The combat is more refined than in Demon’s Souls, and you’ll encounter a variety of enemy types and challenging boss encounters. Understanding the mechanics of Dark Souls is crucial as many of its design principles are carried over into Elden Ring.
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Dark Souls 2 (Scholar of the First Sin): While sometimes considered the “black sheep” of the series, Dark Souls 2 offers a slightly different approach with its emphasis on adaptability and varied build possibilities. The combat pacing is a bit slower, and the world structure is less interwoven compared to the other games, but it provides further insight into the breadth of game design that FromSoftware had explored. Playing through Scholar of the First Sin edition adds more layers to the experience with additional content and revisions.
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Bloodborne: This PlayStation exclusive is a dramatic departure from Dark Souls, emphasizing fast-paced, aggressive combat with a focus on dodging and parrying. Bloodborne introduces the rally system, rewarding players for attacking after taking damage, which demands a more proactive fighting style. The gothic horror setting and unique Lovecraftian lore make it a standout experience and an important step in the evolution of the genre.
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Dark Souls 3: Considered by many to be the culmination of the Dark Souls formula, Dark Souls 3 combines the interconnected world design of the first game with the faster combat of Bloodborne. It offers a huge variety of weapons, armor, and spells, with a more streamlined approach. This title provides the closest combat experience to what you’ll find in Elden Ring.
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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: While drastically different in many ways, Sekiro is still a FromSoftware title with a focus on incredibly challenging and demanding combat. Sekiro’s emphasis on parrying and posture breaks is radically different from the Souls games, but it will fine-tune your reflexes and mastery of FromSoftware’s combat pacing. It provides invaluable experience in understanding and exploiting enemy weaknesses.
Why This Order Matters
This specific order offers a gradual increase in combat speed and complexity, mirroring how FromSoftware themselves evolved as developers. By experiencing these titles in this progression, you’ll gain a richer understanding of the roots and design choices made in Elden Ring. You’ll also have a better feel for how the core gameplay loop of exploration, combat, and character progression works within the Soulsborne framework. However, if you’re a complete beginner, starting with Elden Ring may not be a bad idea. It’s accessible, open-world nature allows you to take your time, build skills, and explore at your own pace, potentially making it a great place to enter into the genre before delving into earlier entries.
Exploring Soulslike Alternatives
If you can’t play all of the above, or simply want more to scratch that Souls-like itch, there are numerous excellent alternatives:
- Nioh and Nioh 2: These action RPGs blend Souls-like gameplay with a loot-driven system and a more historical setting.
- The Surge and The Surge 2: These futuristic titles offer unique combat mechanics centered around limb targeting and tech upgrades.
- Lords of the Fallen: A more direct attempt at imitating the Souls formula, this is a decent entry point.
- Mortal Shell: A more compact and deliberately paced Soulslike that focuses on unique shell-swapping mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some additional points that many players might find useful:
1. Is Elden Ring a good starting point for Souls-like games?
Yes, Elden Ring is arguably the most accessible FromSoftware game to date. Its open-world design allows you to tackle areas and bosses in a flexible order, offering a gentler learning curve.
2. Do I need to play Dark Souls before Elden Ring?
No, you don’t need to, but playing the Dark Souls trilogy will provide a solid foundation in the game’s core mechanics and lore, allowing you to appreciate Elden Ring on a deeper level.
3. Which Dark Souls game is the best to play first?
Dark Souls Remastered is generally considered the best starting point due to its tight level design and challenging but fair gameplay.
4. Is Bloodborne harder than Elden Ring?
Bloodborne tends to be more punishing and aggressive in its combat. Elden Ring is more lenient and offers more ways to mitigate difficulty.
5. Is Sekiro harder than Elden Ring?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has a unique combat system based on parrying and posture, which many find more demanding than Elden Ring’s combat.
6. Can I play Elden Ring if I’ve never played a Souls-like game?
Absolutely! Elden Ring is designed to be approachable for newcomers, though it will still be challenging.
7. What should I do first in Elden Ring?
Begin by exploring Limgrave, finding the map fragments, and seeking out key locations such as the Church of Elleh and the Stormhill Shack.
8. What level should I be for Caelid?
Caelid is a higher-level area, so aim for around level 60-70 with decent weapons and armor.
9. What level should I be for the final boss, Elden Beast?
The recommended level for Elden Beast is 120+, with +22 or higher weapons.
10. What’s a good class for beginners in Elden Ring?
The Vagabond class is recommended for beginners due to its balanced stats and emphasis on melee combat.
11. Is there DLC for Elden Ring?
Yes, Elden Ring has a highly anticipated DLC titled “Shadow of the Erdtree” currently in development.
12. Can I miss important things in Elden Ring?
Yes, there are several missable quests and items, so thorough exploration is highly recommended.
13. What should I do if I get bored in Elden Ring?
Try activities like invading other players, engaging in co-op, completing optional dungeons, collecting weapons, experimenting with new builds, and hunting for achievements.
14. What other games are similar to Elden Ring?
Games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Bloodborne, Nioh, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order share similar elements.
15. Is Elden Ring really that difficult?
Elden Ring is challenging but rewarding. It’s more about learning enemy patterns and adapting than being inherently difficult. Most of the time, you’ll have plenty of time to react and plan if you pay attention to the animations and telegraphing from your foes.
By engaging with some, or all of these games, you’ll find yourself more than prepared for the wonders and the brutal challenges that Elden Ring has in store for you. So, level up those skills, hone your reflexes, and prepare to become the Elden Lord!