Best Souls Game to Start With: A Beginner’s Guide

The Souls series, known for its challenging gameplay and intricate worlds, can be daunting for newcomers. At SupremeDuelist.blog, we understand the initial hesitation, which is why this article is dedicated to helping you find the Best Souls Game To Start With. We aim to make your entry into this genre as smooth and rewarding as possible. We will discuss accessibility, learning curves, and what makes certain titles more forgiving than others.

This guide will cut through the noise and offer a curated list of Souls games perfect for beginners, along with insights into what makes them suitable starting points. Whether you’re drawn to the dark fantasy setting or the intense combat, we’ll help you choose a game that fits your preferences and skill level, ensuring a positive first experience in the Souls universe.

Why Choosing the Right First Souls Game Matters

The Souls genre, pioneered by FromSoftware, isn’t known for holding your hand. These games often feature a high degree of difficulty, complex mechanics, and minimal in-game tutorials. The challenge is part of the appeal, but for a beginner, it can be overwhelming if you choose the wrong title first. Choosing the wrong title can lead to frustration, potentially turning you off of a genre that could become one of your favorites. Instead, picking a starting point that has a gentler learning curve, or more intuitive mechanics will ease you into the demanding, yet rewarding, experience. It’s about finding a balance between challenge and accessibility to ensure that you are not immediately defeated, and instead, slowly learn the ropes.

Criteria for a Beginner-Friendly Souls Game

So, what makes a Souls game beginner-friendly? There are several factors to consider when identifying the best entry point for new players. These aspects are related to both game mechanics and world design, that can impact the difficulty level and learning curve.

• Accessibility of Mechanics: A less complex game that gradually introduces mechanics, rather than overwhelming the player early on is preferred. This means focusing on games that emphasize combat, character progression, and exploration. The best soulsborne game for beginners, doesn’t require a complete understanding of every mechanic at the beginning.
• Forgiving Level Design: The ideal starting point will have maps that are easier to navigate and where the risks are not too extreme right from the beginning. Less dense areas and more obvious pathways help a lot when learning the game’s fundamental mechanics.
• Clear Narrative: Having a clearer storyline that is not obtuse or cryptic can help a new player remain engaged. While Souls games are known for their storytelling approach that requires interpretation, a more upfront approach in a starting game can be helpful.
• Less Punishment for Mistakes: A game that has a more forgiving death penalty or recovery system can make the experience less stressful and frustrating. This allows players to learn from their mistakes without feeling overly punished.

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Top Recommendations for Your First Souls Journey

Based on the criteria mentioned above, here are some of the top recommended Souls games for newcomers:

Dark Souls Remastered

Dark Souls Remastered often tops lists of entry-level Souls games. It offers a compelling, albeit challenging, experience that many consider the quintessential Souls formula. While it’s not without its challenges, Dark Souls Remastered features more straightforward level design compared to other FromSoftware games. The combat, while demanding, is less complex than what you might find in later titles. It offers a solid introduction to the core mechanics of the Souls series without being overly punitive. The interconnected world of Lordran offers a sense of discovery and exploration. This title really provides a good starting ground for players looking for a true Souls experience without being completely overwhelmed.

Demon’s Souls (Remake)

The Demon’s Souls remake on PlayStation 5 is also a great option for beginners. Although it was the original title that helped establish the Souls formula, the remake’s improvements on graphics and quality of life changes make it a very approachable start. It has a slightly more linear structure than other Souls titles. This makes navigating the levels and avoiding confusion, much more manageable. For instance, the levels are broken into archstones, which act as levels, that are easy to digest in small chunks. The game’s mechanics are also slightly less complex than those found in later games. For those who want to experience the roots of the genre but with the modern polish, this is the right pick for you. It also makes a great game to play on new graphics card if you have a good enough PC rig.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring has gained quite a following. Its massive open world and the freedom it provides can make the game easier for new players to approach. While it is true that Elden Ring can be very punishing, its open world design allows players to explore other areas that fit better with their current power level if they get stuck, it will give them an opportunity to level up before going back. The ability to summon NPCs or other players for assistance also provides an extra cushion for beginners. Despite its size, Elden Ring introduces mechanics at a gradual pace and is accessible. The freedom of exploration and multiple build options make this title a great beginner point into the Souls-like genre. “Elden Ring provides an unprecedented level of freedom, which ultimately makes the game more accessible to newcomers,” stated Elias Vance, game design analyst.

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Souls Games to Avoid as a Beginner

While the games mentioned above are great for beginners, there are some titles within the genre that you should probably avoid as a first Souls game.

• Dark Souls II: While it is a very interesting game, it does have more complex combat mechanics and a level design that some players find confusing, and less intuitive. Many veteran players agree that it is harder for the wrong reasons.
• Dark Souls III: Dark Souls III is a great game, but it builds upon the mechanics and complexities introduced in Dark Souls 1 and 2. Because of its challenging combat and fast-paced boss encounters, it may prove too punishing for an entry point.
• Bloodborne: Bloodborne is a fantastic title, but its quick combat and the focus on aggressive gameplay makes it a difficult starting point. Its faster-paced combat and unique mechanics might be hard for beginners to grasp early on. Also, its gothic horror setting might not appeal to all players.
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: This is a very different game that shares the difficulty of the Souls series. Sekiro has very unique mechanics that are based around parrying attacks and a stealth system. It does not have the RPG elements that are common within the soulsborne genre. This departure in mechanics can be overwhelming to a player who is trying to learn the core gameplay loop of the Souls genre.

Essential Tips for New Souls Players

No matter which game you decide to start with, here are some essential tips to make your experience smoother:

• Be Patient: Souls games are designed to be challenging. You will die, often. Learn to see death as a learning experience, not as a failure.
• Explore Thoroughly: The environments are filled with hidden items and shortcuts. Take your time to explore every area fully. Don’t rush to the next objective.
• Learn Enemy Patterns: Each enemy has its own attack patterns. Take the time to observe them and learn how to react. Learning is part of the fun.
• Use Online Resources: There are numerous online resources, such as guides and wikis, that can provide helpful information. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you are stuck.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Many games in the Souls series have active online communities. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. You might even find a co-op partner to help.

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How to Approach a Souls Game as a New Player

The first few hours in a Souls game can be the most challenging. It’s important to approach these games with the right mindset. Start by picking a class or character that feels fun to you. Don’t worry too much about picking the most optimal start, just pick one that fits your play style and seems interesting. Remember to take your time and enjoy the exploration, the games are meant to be immersive, and you can find hidden and interesting secrets along the way. “The key to enjoying Souls games is patience and a willingness to learn from your mistakes,” commented Anya Petrova, a gaming community expert. Also, remember that there are no bad questions, so take a look at [best ds games reddit] if you are struggling, or have very specific questions.

Conclusion: Embark on Your Souls Journey Today

Choosing the best souls game to start with is crucial for a positive introduction to this challenging genre. For beginners, we recommend either Dark Souls Remastered, Demon’s Souls (Remake) or Elden Ring as the best entry points due to their accessibility and intuitive mechanics. All three of these options provide an easier learning curve compared to other titles in the series. Remember to embrace the difficulty, be patient and explore thoroughly. Once you master the core concepts of your first Souls experience, you will be fully prepared to move on to other titles in the series. At SupremeDuelist.blog, we believe that with the right start, anyone can become a dedicated player in the challenging and rewarding Souls universe. If you are looking to dive into something a bit different and want a change of pace, you can check out our article on the [best exploration games].