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Soulsborne games ranked: Every FromSoftware Souls game compared

Em Stonham
Em Stonham Senior Content Writer
Updated on
Tarnished riding a horse across cliffs in Elden Ring landscape.

Soulsborne games are notoriously tricky, testing even the most seasoned of gamers with their intricate boss battles and demanding combat styles. They’re also incredibly fun, with rich stories and vibrant worlds packed with secrets and lore.

If you’ve been wondering which is the easiest Soulsborne game or which title has the trickiest bosses, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve ranked every Soulsborne game in order, including crucial remasters, based on quality, difficulty, and depth.

8. Dark Souls 2 (2014)

Armored knight fighting multiple enemies in Dark Souls 2 (2014).
Despite being last on the list, Dark Souls 2 is still an excellent game. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment

Don’t let our placement of Dark Souls 2 put you off from trying it. Despite it taking the last spot in the list, it’s still an exceptional ARPG that’s important to try out as a Souls enjoyer – it just doesn’t quite beat the other games in FromSoftware’s library.

You can pick up the second entry of the Dark Souls series on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows.

7. Demon’s Souls (Remaster) (2020)

Dark atmospheric castle scene from Demon’s Souls Remake (2020).
The remastered version of Demon Souls is beautiful. Image credit: Blueprint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

All Soulsborne games have a striking aesthetic, but the remaster of Demon’s Souls stands out as one of the most memorable. It’s hauntingly beautiful in places, and while the original version is slightly better in terms of gameplay and elements like audio, this iteration is still worth your time as a Souls fan.

You can pick up the remastered version of Demon’s Souls on PS5. It features plenty of quality-of-life improvements, along with new combat enhancements to keep things interesting for veteran players.

6. Demon’s Souls (Original) (2009)

Player fighting monsters in Stonefang Tunnel in Demon’s Souls (2009 original).
For many Souls fans, this is where it all started. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment/Amazon

If you looked at a list of all the Soulsborne games ranked based on how influential they were, Demon’s Souls would be right at the top. For many members of the community, this is where their infatuation with challenging combat and dark fantasy worlds began – and while the remaster is good, the original is worth tracking down if you can.

The 2009 version of Demon’s Souls can be played on PS3. While this may now be a little trickier for people to get their hands on, it’s well worth the effort to see the original game in action – especially if you’re trying to play the Soulsborne games in order.

5. Dark Souls (All versions) (2011/2018)

Knight battling a giant demon in Dark Souls (2011–2018, all versions).
Dark Souls is a must-play, no matter which version you grab. Image credit: QLOC/FromSoftware, Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment/Amazon

We’ve popped all the versions of Dark Souls together in one entry here, but we’d suggest opting for the remastered version if you’re a newer fan who hasn’t played all Soulsborne games in order yet.

Kicking off the Dark Souls series in supreme style and arguably acting as a follow-up to Demon Souls, this mean-but-rewarding ARPG features some boss battles that still stand out as memorable 14 years later. Including all versions, it’s playable on PS3, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.

4. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

Sekiro fighting a samurai warrior in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019).
Combat in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is brutal. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Activision

Should Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice really be in a list of Souls games? Some might disagree, but if you’re willing to look past a difference in playstyle, Sekiro undoubtedly tops the charts if you’re looking at Soulsborne games ranked by difficulty, thanks to its unique, parry-focused combat style and lethal bosses.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice can be picked up on PS4, Windows, and Xbox One. It’s a must-play for any gamer who enjoys titles that reward pinpoint precision and timing in boss battles, and it’s a visual treat to play through, too.

3. Dark Souls 3 (2016)

Hero confronting a fire-breathing dragon in Dark Souls 3 (2016).
Dark Souls 3 feels immersive yet vast. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment

Arguably offering one of the best Dark Souls experiences out there, the world of Dark Souls 3 is soaked in fire and mystery. If you’re hoping to look at all the Soulsborne games ranked by difficulty to make your next game purchase, Dark Souls 3 isn’t quite as demanding as other titles by a tiny margin – but it’s still got plenty of bite.

This legendary ARPG can be picked up on PS4, Xbox One, and Windows. If you’ve played the first two Dark Souls titles, it’s worth playing the rest of the Soulsborne games in order and picking this title up next.

2. Bloodborne (2015)

Dark gothic alley environment from Bloodborne (2015).
No, Bloodborne is not on PC yet. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Sony Interactive Entertainment

Bloodborne could’ve easily snagged the top spot from Elden Ring. It’s a gothic masterpiece with a rich, lethal world to explore and hordes of enemies to tackle, placing players in the worn leather boots of a Hunter. Featuring a mysterious blood-borne illness and heavy Lovecraftian themes, the game is dark and unsettling.

Bloodborne is widely considered to be one of the best Soulsborne games of all time, much to the dismay of PC players who haven’t had the chance to dip into it yet. This game can be enjoyed on PS4 and PS5.

1. Elden Ring (2022)

Warrior in heavy armor fighting with blood effects in Elden Ring (2022).
Elden Ring is a visual spectacle and a stellar game to play through. Image credit: FromSoftware, Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment

Would it really be the best Soulsborne game list without placing Elden Ring at the top? The game has taken the genre to new heights, presenting players with a vast, intricate world and a roster of ferocious bosses to tear through.

This gem can be enjoyed on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and featuring a world crafted by George R. R. Martin, this game features some of the hardest Soulsborne boss fights and some of the most intricate world-building in the genre. While the order of ranking all Soulborne games will vary from fan to fan, there’s one thing that they’ll all be able to agree on: FromSoftware makes some incredible games.

Even the hardest Soulsborne bosses can be a joy to fight with the right gear and strategies, and each game has a strikingly dark, immersive atmosphere. It’s a genre that’s worth exploring.

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