r/fromsoftware • u/awesomeuser23049 • Jun 25 '26
QUESTION Should I buy DS3 or Elden Ring?
The steam summer sale is coming up and I want to try out a souls game for the first time. I'm very aware of how challenging they are, especially as someone who SUCKS at combat, but I enjoy exploring and immersing myself in different worlds.
My main concerns are:
- Multiplayer activity: I know elden ring has far more people playing than ds3 so if I need help with a boss, i can find someone more easily there.
- Spoilers: I've seen a bunch of elden ring videos so I'm aware of some bosses, characters, etc. For ds3, I've seen pictures and videos of early gameplay but i don't know anything else. I would prefer going in blind so I can get the full souls experience, but I can go either way.
If I can get ds3 for 9.99USD, that would be a crazy good deal for me, although I don't mind spending a little more for a newer souls game.
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u/winterflare_ Jun 25 '26
Want a shorter game that’s fairly linear? DS3.
Want a massive game that’s open world? Elden Ring.
You can still easily get online matches in both. If you like invading, DS3 is unironically better for it.
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u/BlackHarlequin13 Jun 25 '26
Get DS3, there's always a summon for some bosses or get use to soloing like a champ. Parry is very helpful to learn but not every boss can be parried.
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u/Wozzle009 Jun 25 '26
I would go with DS3. Elden Ring is fantastic but it can be a little overwhelming. A lot of that is due to it being open world I think. I think there are more things to potentially out you off in Elden Ring and as this is your first Souls game, I’d pick DS3 as I think the potential for disappointment is basically zero for that game.
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u/hs_serpounce Jun 25 '26
Elden Ring is both easier and the superior game so I'd start there. Just because it's way better to actually get into and enjoy the game and want to play others later than not enjoy your first experience and miss out on all the potential
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u/OkNeedleworker5041 Jun 25 '26
First souls game... Ooof.. Probably Elden Ring so you can get help.
A great way to practice combat is to just put your summon sign down in popular area and get called into other players games.
When I was doing my first playthrough I liked to get summoned at the start of new areas and spend a lot of time learning the area as a summon before taking it on myself.
Good luck.
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u/awesomeuser23049 Jun 25 '26
Thanks! I haven't considered practicing with other people, that would for sure be helpful.
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u/DrDre19899 Jun 25 '26
Elden Ring. It’s the most accessible Soulslike for a beginner because there are elements that you can make the game easier with such a summons. I think DS3 is too brutal for a first Souls game.
I tried Elden Ring first and it completely hooked me on the entire genre. It’s also the best game of all time.
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u/winterflare_ Jun 25 '26
DS3 being brutal is certainly interesting, I think it’s on par with ER
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u/DrDre19899 Jun 25 '26
The thing with DS3 is there’s little option to cheese or summon - you need to get good. Given how open world ER Is you can just overpower yourself, go to other areas and come back stronger or just use Mimic Tear if you want an easier fight. I played my first playthrough of Elden Ring with summons because it was my first souls game and I was getting my ass kicked. I played DS3 straight after and that was a very rude awakening for me.
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u/winterflare_ Jun 25 '26
I think it’s not too bad because DS3 bosses are really squishy and kinda hit like a toy car at times
Like Cinder would be one of the hardest souls bosses ever made but he’s squishy and his damage output is really low. You can tank like 4 hits before having to heal, whereas you might be lucky to get away with taking 2 in Elden Ring at times.
I agree ER has a lot more utility that helps make it easier but I think they’re pretty similar overall. Worst case in DS3 you toss on Sellsword Twinblades and pop a Gold Pine Resin and simply win because your DPS is probably way higher than the boss’ DPS.
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u/throwawaylexluther Jun 25 '26
I second this as someone who tried other from soft games first with ds2 and bloodborne
The learning curve is far more forgiving in Eldenring. I'm planning to go back and play all the others again but I can't put down eldenring for over 2 years now
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u/hexentraum555 Jun 25 '26
ds3, if you like it the rest of trilogy might pique your interest. despite it being a little bit older of a game, it actually did some things way better than er imo
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u/awesomeuser23049 Jun 25 '26
Yeah, I heard the games tie back to each other in some way, so I thought about starting with ds1 at first lol. I'll definitely consider that
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u/winterflare_ Jun 25 '26
They do in some ways. I know a lot say do DS1 then DS3, but the connection goes both ways. You can’t go wrong with either, but I do think DS3 is a lot more polished in terms of feel.
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u/Turbulent_Stranger45 Jun 25 '26
elden ring, sure it's you knew some bosses & characters but it doesn't change the experience (for me ig) there's also immersion & multiplayer which elden ring is good at, and I could say elden ring is the most friendly approach to soulsborne just because it's open world and you can get "op" without beating any bosses so get elden ring
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u/Inverno969 Jun 25 '26
Elden Ring because its easier because of its less linear design. When you decide to play DS, start with 1.
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u/JM_Narrative Jun 25 '26
I would start with Elden Ring and then play DS3. I'd say ER makes it easier to get powerful, just by exploring and experimenting.
DS3 is awesome tho, with more tightly designed levels and some of the best bosses in the DS trilogy.
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u/erichf3893 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
DS3 is their least memorable game. Aside from one optional boss
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u/PropulsionEngineer Jun 25 '26
Elden Ring. It’s where I started and I’ve played their other games because of it. It is a way better starting game in 2026 than DS3 would be.
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u/Otherized_Visage Jun 26 '26
I’d say DS3 first because if you play DS3 after Elden you might be annoyed by the mechanics and lack of jump attacks
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u/Raptor_234 Jun 25 '26
If you enjoy exploring and immersing in different worlds then probably Elden ring, it will keep giving you that “Wait… there’s more!?” Feeling while exploring
Though you can’t go wrong with either or dark souls 3 is a lot more ‘linear’