When Demon’s Souls was released in 2009, it started a dynasty that cementedFromSoftware’slegacy in the annals of video game history. The Soulsborne games are known for their challenging combat, intense boss fights, and opaque lore. For someone new to the genre, it can be daunting to find the right place to jump in.
The release of Elden Ring marks the seventh game in the Soulsborne roster. Each entry brings a fresh new environment and mechanics that affect difficulty and accessibility. From a gameplay perspective, there is no official order to play them. However, as someone new to the genre, you will want to play certain entries first to ease yourself into a series known for a steep learning curve.
Updated June 10, 2025, by Andrew Scariati:Need to know the best way to play the Souls games in order so you’ll enjoy them the most? Great news, as we’ve updated our list of what order to play the Souls games with further details, including Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. If you’re new to the Souls games, the newest title should provide the best experience for you before plunging into the deep end.
Elden Ring is a great way to jump into the genre because it is the most newcomer-friendly among its siblings. It features a large open world that emphasizes tackling challenges at your own pace. The emphasis on combat options lets you cater the experience toward what you want most. Naturally, since Elden Ring is the newest in the series, it also has the most quality-of-life features added in.
The viability of magic andhelpful Spirit Ashesgives you a lot of flexibility during fights. However, make no mistake:Elden Ring Is not an easy game.
Certain boss fightssuch as Malenia orMessmer from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, might have you tearing out your hair. That being said, the open-world design and infinite build options mean that you don’t have to fight any boss until you feel adequately prepared. All this creates a game that’s perfect if you’re new to the genre, and want something to ease your way in.
The third Dark Souls game is a refined culmination of its predecessors. In many ways, it will probablyfeel most familiar if you just hopped into the series after playing Elden Ring.Magic plays a greater role, and Weapon Arts are comparable toAshes of War.
Combat, in general, is also a smoother experience, and moves at a faster pace than previous Soulsborne games. It also has one of the best boss fights in the series with Slave Knight Gael, which really shows how much FromSoftware has evolved its series over time.
Out of the four games with the ‘Soul’ title, it is often considered the most accessible of the bunch. FromSoftware had been taking notes when it came to overcoming the difficult barrier of entry known for Soulsborne games.
Demon’s Souls was the original game that started the Soulsborne genre. It’s also comparatively easier than later Dark Souls games. This makes it a good step towards familiarizing yourself with the slower playstyle, and less developed quality-of-life features found in these older games.
If Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3 are a sample palette for many Soulsborne mechanics, thenDemons Souls is a more condensed introduction.
If you completed a run in either of the aforementioned titles, then this game likely won’t pose too much of a challenge. Use it as an opportunity to adapt to the more methodical gameplay, and prepare for its more challenging siblings.
Dark Souls is a plain step above Demon’s Souls, in both quality of life features and difficulty. Boss fights are generally harder, and enemies will do more damage. Start to pay more attention to parrying, because it will make certain boss fights significantly easier. You will also need to adjust to the more linear style of world traversal.
Instead of the convenient fast travel featured in later entries like Sekiro and Elden Ring, Dark Souls largely relies on unlocking shortcuts through exploration for most of the game. This allows you to advance farther into areas while relying on the same bonfire.
Dark Souls 2 is probably thehardest of the ‘Souls’ games to get into, and it is due to a combination of frustrating design decisions and deadly environments. Every enemy does significantly more damage, and dying will punish you with reduced health. Some of the bosses are also quite challenging, which is made worse when combat sometimes feels floaty, and areas are always packed with enemies.
Playing the other Souls games is a good way to prepare for what you’ll face. Just keep in mind that Dark Souls 2 will likely be a source of more frustration compared to its more accessible brethren.
Bloodborne was FromSoftware’s first side-step away from traditional Soulsborne games, and as you probably expect, is the source of “borne” in “Soulsborne.” Compared to its cousins,Bloodborne has a different combat flow that rewards aggressionover playing too reactively. As such, it doesn’t feature much in the way of defensive equipment such as shields.
Despite having similar overall combat mechanics to previous entries in the series, this game is undeniably more fast-paced.
Bosses can also be very challenging in turn. You will need to adjust your playstyle to fit the ferocious gameplay. However, once you master Bloodborne’s combat, it becomes one of the best games in the series, but sadly, isn’tavailable on all platforms.
If Bloodborne is a side-step for the Soulsborne series, then Sekiro is a full-on leap. It portrays a fantastical depiction of Sengoku-era Japan, where various factions fight for control of the country using magic and demons. Traditional leveling is replaced by Combat Arts, with each art providing new skills to best fit your playstyle. The hunt for different gear is also gone. Instead, you will be collecting a small arsenal of upgradable Shinobi Prosthetics that serve as invaluable tools.
There is a much greater emphasis placed onmobility, stealth, and parrying.Sekiro can feel very different fromother Soulslike titles, so it is best approached last.
Some ofthe bosses are incredibly difficult, but mastering each one feels appropriately rewarding. Combat feels like a dance of blades. Getting into the flow of slashing and parrying can feel exhilarating with enough practice.
