FromSoftwarehas an extensive library of uniquely crafted worlds with incredibly difficult changes, which grew from a niche genre to a genre-defining series of games across a few years. The difficulty of these games cannot be understated, often serving as a barrier for many players. It’s not the main appeal of these games, but it is a defining factor inFromSoftware’s style.
WithElden Ringout now, it’s worth looking at how each of these games compare difficulty-wise. Obviously, such a comparison comes with a few caveats. First, there is a method to each game that has to be learned, and these skills tend to be mostly transferable. On a personal level, then, the hardestSoulsgame will often be whichever someone plays first. Furthermore, each game approachesNew Game Plus differently, withElden Ring’s NG+1 arguably being easier than the base playthrough (at least for a portion of it), whileDemon’s SoulsNG+1 being less forgiving.
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For the purposes of this tier list, then, each game is treated as a first playthrough with the bosses and level design also factoring in. New Game Plus and first Souls game elements are not worked in here. Because certain classes or magic can also be considered “easy mode” in some of these Souls games, like theRoyalty Class inDemon’s Souls, build variety is not factored in here.
S-Tier
The extremely challenging tier.
EveryDark SoulsDLC,Bloodborne’s Old Hunters DLC –When it comes to the most difficult elements of aSoulsgame,FromSoftware DLC makes the base games look forgiving. FromSoftware has to compensate for the level and builds players may have by the time they hit the DLC, and that means truly raising the challenge. It’s no secret that FromSoftware DLC pose bigger challenges than the base game.
Bloodborne’s Old Hunters DLC makes the bosses all the more challenging, with the Orphan of Kos’ aggressive tactics being generally hated (in a good, loving way) by community members. This comparison to the base game holds true for every DLC, includingDark Souls 3’s Ringed City and Ashes of Ariandel Expansions;Dark Souls 2’s Crown of the Ivory King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Old Sunken King; and Dark Souls’ Artorias of the Abyss.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice– An argument can be made thatSekirois not a proper Soulsborne game, simply because while it doubles down on the difficulty of them, there’s a more direct story and other more “standard” RPG elements. Still, because of its unique qualities compared to other titles listed here, it is arguably the hardest base game. Its bosses are highly technical and are not forgiving of mistakes, while players will be overwhelmed in a first playthrough—even given all the unique traversal mechanics afforded to the wolf.
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A-Tier
The challenging tier.
Elden Ring– Unlike many of its predecessors,Elden Ringgives players a unique option: if they are stuck in one place, go somewhere else. Now, this is true enough for some of the other games too, butElden Ring’s map sizegives fans plenty of reason to explore the world. It’s no secret now that, after getting destroyed by Margit, players can travel southward to find more appropriate challenges, but it’s a common mistake when following the grace.
Elden Ringis arguably the most approachable game in FromSoft’s catalog, but that doesn’t mean the difficulty is nixed. The open-level design lowers the difficulty somewhat, but FromSoft balances this with more “make or break” bosses than other Souls games. In other words, while all bosses are challenging, there are notably some bosses across all games designed to push a player’s build for the versatility and viability to push on.Elden Ringseemingly has more of them than normal.Margit, the Fell Omen is a prime example, but others including the Godskin Duo, Maliketh, and notably, Radagon and The Elden Beast are no push over. So,Elden Ringpushes the envelope but also gives players a bigger sandbox to prepare for these challenges.
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Dark Souls 2– Even not factoring in DLC here,Dark Souls 2may find itself among the hardest games. This is because it continues the slow-moving elements of the first game, as well asDemon’s Souls, but makes the level design and environment much more punishing than either.Dark Souls 2has the hardest level designand challenges out of its trilogy. Combined with a standard fare of bosses and so on, this game’s difficulty comes out of iteration if not experimentation (whileElden Ringfinds itself in the latter category).
B-Tier
The Standard Tier.
Bloodborne– WhatBloodbornedid to make itself distinct was speed up the pace of the game. With players able to heal by acting aggressively, it encourages players to change up their style from otherSoulsgames. In terms of Boss and level design, Yharnam is filled with hard enemies to defeat and confusing, if striking level design.The Chalice Dungeonsthemselves are a new feature that push this difficulty even further. It’s up there in terms of difficulty overall withDark Soulsgames, but not quite as difficult as players progress through and learn the game.
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Dark Souls–Dark Soulsmay be remembered as the most difficult of the bunch, as it would be many players’ first foray into the genre, but it’s mostly because of its conceptual design. This was basically the earliest stage of the genre-defining epic, even if there were“Soulslikes” beforeDemon’s Soulsand it. The distance between bonfires adds more difficulty to the game, while the make or break bosses are more scattered than other entries. If B Tier represents the standard of FromSoft difficulty, thenDark Soulsdefines that entirely.
Dark Souls 3–Dark Souls 3features a ton of quality of life changes that help bring it into a more modern Souls game era, featuring a more polished and fairly balanced area challenge and level design than eitherDark SoulsorDark Souls 2. That said, the more complicated movesets and boss design could easily see this game come close to either on a personal level. If just looking at theboss designs ofDark Souls 3, that would probably bump it up a tier on its own. But factoring in a first playthrough and fair level design, the bosses aren’t really enough to put it above its predecessors.
C-Tier
The Hard, But Below Standard Tier
Demon’s Souls– Particularly speaking of Bluepoint’s PS5 Remake of FromSoft’s classic,Demon’s Soulsis perhaps one of the easier gamesin the franchise. Now, if it’s someone’s first Souls game, that may not hold true for them, but out of the catalog, it’s a good baby step down. New Game Plus is a huge spike here, but as mentioned earlier, not a factor.
What makesDemon’s Soulseasy is how many of its bosses are gimmicky, and its level designs are—for the most part—more straightforward than other games. It has its challenges, definitely, but the Phalanx Demon, the Dragon God, the Tower Knight, Fool’s Idol, Old Monk, and Storm King (plus others) are more about learning the gimmick than beating any particular challenge. Combined with a few of its level designs being more straightforward (though there are challenging ones likeSwamp of Sorrows—if there is no Sodden Ring—and the Ritual Path), and it’s going to offer a more tailored ride to the finish. It’s not an easy ride, but it’s not the hardest one here.
Elden Ringis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
