The definitive FromSoftware Souls-like power ranking (now with Elden Ring)
Over the course of the last decade, FromSoftware has managed to craft, and arguably perfect, its unique action RPG formula with titles like Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Not since the introduction of the iconic Metroidvania sub-genre, popularized by phenomenal games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid, have we seen such a widely recognized and replicated template for action RPGs.
The popularity of this blueprint created by FromSoftware has even managed to spawn a sub-genre of its own: the Souls-like. While many developers have tried desperately to capture the essence of Dark Souls, nobody does it quite like FromSoftware.
I’ve spent the last six months or so playing and re-playing every title in the official FromSoftware Souls-like catalog. From Demon’s Souls to Elden Ring, I’ve committed to the monumental undertaking of placing every one of these exceptional RPGs in order from worst to best. Here is our definitive FromSoftware Souls-like power ranking.
7. Dark Souls II
Source: Bandai Namco
So why exactly has Dark Souls II firmly secured the bottom spot? Sadly, there are some glaring issues involving foundational game design, uninspired boss encounters, and half-baked lore that put a damper on the experience, especially when directly compared to other FromSoftware titles.
The Dark Souls engine isn’t catered to heavy amounts of platforming, yet the Dark Souls II team insisted on ham-fisting absurd amounts of unnecessary and unpleasant platforming into the game. The 3D objects you’re tasked with maneuvering on often fail to properly respond to player movements, causing you to spike down into an endless pit if you accidentally pivot in the wrong direction. Skinny branches and ledges plague many of the otherwise captivating environments in Dark Souls II, which makes navigating certain areas like Cardinal Tower a tedious nightmare.
Source: Bandai Namco
However, it’s not all doom and gloom in this world of doom and gloom. The clever use of lighting and torch mechanics in areas like No Man’s Wharf showcase the team’s creativity and desire to deliver an ambitious game. Dark Souls II also introduced key quality-of-life features like a streamlined fast travel system and the Name Engraved ring, which made playing with friends significantly easier. These innovations paved the way for the Password system and modern fast-travel that we now expect in FromSoftware games.
6. Demon’s Souls
Source: Android Central
I recently revisited Demon’s Souls through the PS5 remake from Bluepoint Games and it gave me a much greater appreciation for just how influential this foundation was for future Souls-likes from the team. From the asshole dragons constantly performing fire breath drive-bys, to the gothic halls of the Tower of Latria, many elements of Demon’s Souls eventually made their way to releases like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. This was also the birth of the legendary Souls-like loop, which revolves around respawning enemies and collecting the souls of fallen foes.
Source: Android Central
FromSoftware was comfortable experimenting with different gameplay mechanics with this title and some of them just didn’t work. Thankfully, FromSoftware gained some valuable insights that would greatly benefit later games.
5. Bloodborne
Source: Sony
Heavily inspired by the Tower of Latria and serving as the unofficial sequel to Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne is filled with jaw-dropping gothic architecture and otherworldly Lovecraftian terrors. The grim aesthetic in the decrepit city of Yharnam delivers relentless and unforgiving 18th-century gothic horror. Every inch of this locale is dripping with grotesque creatures and haunting environments. When it comes to nightmarish enemy design, Bloodborne is FromSoftware at its absolute best. The image of monstrosities like Mergo’s Wet Nurse will forever be burned into my mind.
Source: FromSoftware
Ultimately the reason I decided on this lower placement for Bloodborne stems from a fundamental flaw involving world design. There’s no denying how captivating Yarnham and its surrounding areas look and feel, but this reliance on one primary location eventually starts to takes its toll. For me, the grays and greens and blues all started to blend together, making my time in Bloodborne far less memorable than games like Dark Souls or Sekiro. I didn’t feel the same desire to explore every nook and cranny of the assorted zones, which has always been one of my favorite elements of FromSoftware RPGs.
If you love the exclusively gothic locations presented in Bloodborne chances are you’ll probably rank this title a bit higher, but in terms of the overall package it doesn’t hold a Hunter’s Torch to the next three games on our list.
4. Dark Souls
Source: Bandai Namco
Much like Symphony of the Night, Dark Souls leads with incredible combat, wildly varied environments, and loads of character customization. This sprawling, interconnected world took the exploration of classic Metroidvanias to new levels. With Firelink Shrine serving as the central hub of your adventure, you’re almost immediately given the freedom to set out on any path you choose. While there are certainly preferred routes and a general order for how you should tackle the various zones, the beauty of this game’s design stems from its robust flexibility.
Source: Bandai Namco
The diverse assortment of equipment, gorgeous environments, and memorable characters make every single playthrough feel fresh and exciting. Even three or four runs in, I’m still finding new items and occasionally bosses I haven’t encountered before. If Demon’s Souls was the test subject for the FromSoftware Souls-like, then Dark Souls is where the formula was refined. Similar to playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past or Halo: Combat Evolved for the first time, my introductory experience with Dark Souls is something I’ll never forget and one that would go on to reset my expectations of action RPGs.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Source: Activision
As a long-time Souls veteran, I admittedly had a rough time adapting to Sekiro. Everything Dark Souls trained me to do over the course of the last decade had to be completely thrown out. First off, there was no rolling, which up until this point had been a staple. The stamina meter for sprinting or attacking was also removed, which completely changed the dynamic of enemy encounters. Therefore, offensive speed, defensive timing, and proper environmental awareness were your keys to victory.
Source: Activision
One of my biggest criticisms of Bloodborne has always been its lack of meaningful main and off-hand weapon variety, but it was a fascinating experiment for FromSoftware and one I’m very grateful the team revisited. The Shinobi Prosthetic Tools are fantastic, and I’d even argue that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice delivers the best combat of any FromSoftware title because of this phenomenal flexibility and fluidity. Every boss, including the nightmarish Great Ape, has a distinct Mega Man-esque weakness, which encourages weapon and ability experimentation. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a feat of excellence in game design and deserves every bit of praise it receives.
2. Dark Souls III
Source: Bandai Namco
There are critics who believe Dark Souls III relies too heavily on retreading familiar zones and tropes from the original, but due to the cyclical nature of the events and lore in this world, I’d argue that the way Dark Souls III presents these established locations is more far more ambitious and innovative than many give it credit for. Players looking to truly understand the underlying themes persistent in Dark Souls will find countless nods to the events of the past and how they’ve shaped this world. The cryptic storytelling the series is famous for is meticulously demonstrated in Dark Souls III through carefully placed context clues and no game has ever encouraged me to spend hours reading item descriptions in this way before.
Source: Windows Central
My list of complaints for Dark Souls III is essentially non-existent. Like a great book or favorite film, it’s something I constantly find myself coming back to between games. As I get older and experience more, I often wonder if the precedents set by existing titles and my desire for increasingly ambitious experiences has made it difficult for me to connect with games the same way I did as a child. Then something like Dark Souls III comes along and rekindles that magical feeling all over again.
1. Elden Ring
Source: Windows Central
Elden Ring manages to take all the most potent elements of titles like Dark Souls III, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Bloodborne, and seamlessly blend them into one magnificent open-world RPG. To call this massive adventure FromSoftware’s greatest hits album is a tad reductive, but in many ways, that’s precisely what it is. Elden Ring has brilliantly refined every lesson this talented developer learned with previous titles.
Source: Windows Central
Player progression and customization have also never been better in a FromSoftware RPG. There are endless options for play styles, and each one manages to feed into your desired power fantasy. Your equipment decisions fundamentally impact the action, from majestic Glintstone Sorcery to good old-fashioned sword and board combat. The extreme flexibility with classes and gear offers incredibly rewarding replayability.
I had my reservations about Elden Ring’s transition to an open-world template ahead of its launch. Thankfully, those fears were immediately shattered after spending just a few hours with the game. Miyazaki and company have delivered a historic release that earns a place among legends like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Elden Ring is unquestionably the best FromSoftware RPG and stands confidently as one of the greatest open-world RPGs of all time.
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