Which Dark Souls is Easiest? A Definitive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of which Dark Souls game is the easiest is a common one, especially for newcomers to the notoriously challenging series. While the difficulty of these games is subjective and often depends on individual playstyles and prior experience, there’s a general consensus within the community. Based on extensive player feedback and analysis, Dark Souls II is consistently cited as the easiest game in the Dark Souls franchise. This doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park; it simply means that, in comparison to its counterparts, Dark Souls II offers a slightly more forgiving experience.
While Dark Souls II might be considered the easiest overall, this title comes with some caveats. Its core mechanics and enemy placements are often seen as more manageable compared to the relentless aggression and tight level design found in games like Dark Souls III or Bloodborne. However, it’s essential to delve deeper to understand why, and also to explore how the different entries fare in the difficulty stakes.
The Nuances of Difficulty in the Souls Series
Understanding why Dark Souls II is seen as the easiest requires looking beyond just raw enemy damage. The game’s slower pace, more forgiving enemy AI, and options for ranged combat often provide players with a buffer not readily available in other entries. In contrast, Dark Souls III is widely considered one of the most challenging due to its faster-paced combat, aggressive enemies, and more intricate level design, making it a baptism by fire for new players.
Dark Souls 1, the series’ progenitor, presents a unique kind of challenge. Its sloppy animations and movement can feel less intuitive than its sequels, making it a hurdle for new players. While not as intensely aggressive as Dark Souls III, it demands a precise understanding of its world and interconnected levels. The remastered version adds some quality-of-life improvements, but the core challenge remains.
Elden Ring, while not a direct Dark Souls game, is often included in discussions due to its Souls-like DNA. It allows a level of player customization with its open-world design and spirit summons that significantly changes the difficulty. Although its open-world structure and summoning mechanics can lower the overall difficulty, some of its boss fights are brutally difficult. In the end, Elden Ring tends to have a higher overall difficulty than Dark Souls 2, given its many difficult boss fights that can rival the toughest fights in other FromSoftware titles.
Why Dark Souls II is Considered Easier
Several factors contribute to Dark Souls II’s reputation as the easiest:
- Slower Pace: The combat in Dark Souls II is generally slower and less frantic compared to Dark Souls III or Bloodborne. This allows players more time to react and strategize.
- Enemy AI: Enemies in Dark Souls II are often less aggressive and predictable, providing more opportunities to exploit their patterns and find openings in their defenses.
- More Options: The game allows for more build diversity and options, including the ability to comfortably use ranged weapons, which provides more tactical flexibility than other games in the series.
- Adaptability: The Adaptability stat in Dark Souls II impacts the invincibility frames during dodges. Increasing this stat makes the game significantly more forgiving and gives players an edge they wouldn’t get in the other entries.
- Base Game Easiness: The base game of Dark Souls II is relatively easy. While the DLC can ramp up the difficulty, the core game experience is considered by many to be the most approachable in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Dark Souls II actually easy, or is it just easier relative to the others?
It’s crucial to understand that “easier” is relative. Dark Souls II is still a challenging game by most standards. However, compared to the brutal difficulty of Dark Souls III or the rapid combat of Bloodborne, Dark Souls II provides a slightly more accessible experience, especially for newcomers to the genre. It’s not easy in the sense of being “forgiving” to mistakes, but it’s often considered less punishing than other titles in the series.
2. Is Dark Souls Remastered easier than the original Dark Souls?
Dark Souls Remastered is essentially the same game as the original in terms of difficulty. While the Remastered edition offers technical improvements, such as improved frame rates, better textures, and other enhancements, the core game remains the same. Thus, the game’s original level of difficulty is mostly unchanged, despite some quality-of-life improvements. So, for a first-time player, those improvements will make a difference.
3. Which Dark Souls game is best for beginners?
While Dark Souls II is generally regarded as the easiest, Dark Souls 1 is often recommended as the best starting point. Its slower pace and interconnected world make it a good place to learn the core mechanics of the series. However, if a less punishing initial experience is sought, Dark Souls II’s gentler learning curve might be ideal.
4. What about the DLCs for each game? Do they change the difficulty?
Yes, DLCs can significantly alter the difficulty. For instance, Dark Souls II’s DLC is known for being considerably more difficult than the base game. Similarly, Dark Souls III’s DLC, The Ringed City, is frequently cited as one of the most challenging experiences in the entire series.
5. Does “souls-like” mean “hard”?
Not necessarily. While Souls-like games often share elements like challenging combat, deliberate gameplay, and punishing death mechanics, not all are created equal in terms of difficulty. Games like Death’s Door are often compared to Dark Souls, but are considered much easier in comparison.
6. Is Elden Ring harder than the Dark Souls games?
Elden Ring presents a unique challenge. While its open-world nature and spirit summons can make it more accessible, its bosses are often regarded as more challenging than most of the bosses in the Dark Souls series. While some might claim it is the hardest game in the series, most consider it to be more difficult than Dark Souls II, though not as brutal as Dark Souls III.
7. Which Dark Souls game takes the longest to beat?
The length of each Dark Souls game can vary widely based on playstyle. On average, Dark Souls II and its Scholar of the First Sin edition tend to take the longest, often ranging from 40 to 120 hours. Dark Souls III is usually considered the shortest, often falling between 30 to 90 hours, while Dark Souls 1 is usually in the middle.
8. Which Dark Souls game is easiest to 100%?
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is usually considered the easiest to 100%, due to fewer obstacles and requirements compared to other titles. However, Dark Souls II and its Scholar of the First Sin edition are also viable candidates. Dark Souls III is usually considered the most difficult to 100%, mainly due to some RNG related to collecting all the covenant rewards.
9. Which Dark Souls has the easiest bosses?
Generally, Dark Souls II is considered to have the easiest overall boss fights. While some are still challenging, many are less aggressive and less mechanically complex compared to their counterparts in Dark Souls III or Bloodborne.
10. Is Dark Souls 1 beginner-friendly?
Dark Souls 1 can be brutal for new players due to its unforgiving nature. It’s a good starting point as it’s the first in the series and the interconnected world is easy to get familiar with. However, its animation style and less forgiving movement can feel less intuitive than later titles, so while it’s a good place to learn the mechanics, it’s not without its challenges.
11. How hard is it to finish Dark Souls?
Finishing any Dark Souls game is considered a significant achievement due to their notorious difficulty. They demand perseverance, patience, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Expect to die a lot, explore thoroughly, and strategically learn enemy attack patterns. However, it is not an impossible task.
12. Which is the shortest Dark Souls game?
Dark Souls III generally features the shortest average playtime among the three main titles, though player experiences can vary.
13. Is it a good idea to start with Dark Souls 2?
If your main concern is a less brutal initial experience, then Dark Souls 2 is a good place to start, given its more gentle curve. However, most people recommend starting with Dark Souls 1.
14. Is Sekiro harder than the Dark Souls games?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice features a completely different combat system centered on parrying and posture breaking, as opposed to the souls-like RPG-based system in the Dark Souls games. While many see it as more difficult, given the different core mechanics, others find it easier once they understand the combat.
15. Why do people find Dark Souls games so difficult?
The difficulty of Dark Souls games stems from their unforgiving mechanics, demanding combat, and a lack of hand-holding. Players must learn enemy patterns, understand build strategies, and explore every corner of the map to overcome the many obstacles. They will die frequently and must learn from those deaths to progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while all Dark Souls games present a significant challenge, Dark Souls II stands out as the easiest, primarily due to its slower pace, less aggressive enemies, and more flexible build options. It’s an excellent place for newcomers to start, provided they are still prepared for a considerable challenge. Understanding these nuances helps players make informed decisions about which game to tackle first on their journey into the notoriously difficult, yet ultimately rewarding, world of Souls-like games.