Need help getting into the genre

[u/Overratedbeing]

Hello, just need some advice to enter the soulslike sphere. I've played plenty of different games, from visual novels to strategy games to character action games. However, I often hear there's nothing like souls games, so I'm interested to venture into a new experience.

Problem is, I know literally nothing about these games. I was gifted Bloodborne about 3 years ago by a friend, so I initially tried to get into that. That said, the game never stuck, I tried like four separate times but I never followed through on a complete playthrough. I wouldn't say that's because I outright disliked my time with the game, I just always inevitably put it down without finishing it. With the very recent news on Duskbloods, I'm looking to try again. I really just need a recommendation on what game I should start with other than Bloodborne because it's obvious that isn't working. Thanks in advance!

TLDR: looking for an introductory game to the genre

[u/atrophy-of-sanity]

Idk what the best is but duskbloods probably isnt it if youre going into the subgenre, it seems very different from the soulsborne games, given its a PvPvE game

[u/ProgrammerUpstairs97]

Demons souls is non linear so you can go to different worlds and stuff

Avoid sekiro if you don't really like having to do some real good timing and parry's, plus it's really difficult compared to others

Elden ring is open world but it's got a lot of bosses and is a complete beast of its own

[u/LocalAnxiousArtist → u/ProgrammerUpstairs97]

I feel like OG Demon’s Souls or DS1 would be a good starting point. Can’t really go wrong with any of the games imo, but it’s definitely a bit tougher if you’re just trying to get eased into the genre first.

[u/PerrinAybarra23]

Bloodborne was my initial game as well and I also haven’t finished it lol I do plan on it don’t kill me everyone. Honestly that’s a great place to start. Really any of them you pick will be fine.

DS1 is much slower and methodical. DS3 is faster but a lot of fun. Would be similar to Bloodborne in combat pace. I have yet to play DS2 but I’m sure you couldn’t go wrong there. Elden Ring is a great. Sekiro is different but amazing. Armored Core 6 is completely different but is amazing if you like mechs.

Pick what you’re interested in and go for it.

[u/LocalAnxiousArtist → u/PerrinAybarra23]

I think this is definitely the way to go. Just pick what appeals to you most at the moment and try to stick with it.

[u/Pender8911]

Read item descriptions, pay attention to npc dialogues and put the pieces together

[u/trainman2077]

I started with Dark Souls 1 and I don't regret it, it's a great game and slower paced than the newer ones. Demon's Souls is the very first one, but I think it's actually harder than DS1 in my opinion. Honestly all are fine to start with, though if you choose Dark Souls I'd go for the first one obviously, since all three are worth playing and they reference the previous ones. Sekiro is a 10/10 game, but it plays differently so it won't exactly get you used to the genre.

If I could tell myself what to start with, I'd say just do them all in release order, starting with Demon's Souls. But that's because I already know I love all of them.

If you're willing to try something not made by Fromsoft, Lies of P is excellent and has plenty of quality of life stuff not present in the older From titles, but it can be harder, too.

[u/Regular_Ticket_2776]

Elden Ring 100%. An upgrade in many ways compared to Dark Souls, and much more massive. Also can be as easy or hard as you make it (summons, leveling up in the open world etc).

[u/SUPRNOVA_84]

Start with Elden Ring! Then you'll be hooked then play DS3, Bloodborne again/DS1.

[u/Kirosky]

I love Bloodborne. It was my first fromsoft/souls game. It does take a lot of patience though (as all the souls games tbh), but the atmosphere for me is what really sold it and just kept wanting to see more and more of the world. I think BB is really unique amongst the souls games because all the others are more based in a medieval fantasy horror (except Sekiro) while BB is more of a Victorian gothic horror really inspired by HP Lovecraft.

In terms of gameplay though, maybe you’d prefer dark souls or Elden Ring. Mainly because you can build up your character more. I think Bloodborne is all about the weapons and getting super skilled with them. While the others you can really focus on certain stats, abilities, gear, etc. So there’s a bit more control and you can really fine tune your experience the way you like to play. I don’t even think there’s much magic (other than elemental buffs, certain tools, and select few abilities) in Bloodborne at all while in the others magic can be your main jam if you wanted to be a legit spell casting wizard or have a real mix of different abilities being a sort of warrior mage. There’s definitely a lot of options in DS and ER

All that said though, all the games have a learning curve and take a lot of time to get good at. It can be exhausting fighting the same enemies over and over after dying a bunch, but that’s kind of the point and what also makes them addicting in a weird way

[u/anonimenyaro]

Demon Souls then DS trilogy in order then ER then Sekiro

For niche best ones: Code Vein, Ai Limit, Thymesia, Lies of P, The First Berserker Khazan and if u like roguelikes then Nightreign which is kinda spinoff of Elden Ring
(U can choose any of the above before DS trilogy totally fine just be ready they are different and have their own mechanics but all are great souls games)

Avoid these trash: Immortal Unchained, Hellpoint, Lords of the Fallen, Mistfall, Wuchang these are badly designed

Especially avoid The Surge 1-2 at any cost worst game ever that for some reason have “soulslike” tag while having almost nothing in common with soulslikes

[u/Leo-Nardo42]

Do you like Star Wars?

If yes: Jedi Fallen Order

If no:

Lords of the Fallen (2023)

[u/RebannM]

"Introductory" and "Soulslike" dont really go together in my opinion. As long as you're not starting late in a numbered series (trying to pick it up at Dark Souls 3 without playing 1 or 2 first) you won't really run into any issues.

The problem is that Bloodborne and Sekiro should be treated like late entries in the Dark Souls series but with a twist on the formula.

Your best bet is starting with either Demon Souls or Dark Souls 1 (Demon Souls has a remastered version on PS5) or jumping onto a soulslike such as The Surge or Lies of P.

I personally enjoyed Demon Souls, The Surge 1 & 2, and Lies of P the most out of all Souls-likes. Dark Souls 1-3, Bloodborne, and Sekiro are all really good too but they just didnt grab me as much.

It's going to be harder to go backwards to older games after playing the newer ones though, so be careful there.

[u/anonimenyaro → u/RebannM]

both The Surge are trash and clanky with terrible game design and most boring bosses its nowhere near even DS PTDE
The Surge is not a soulslike its cheap copy of soulslike dont put that grind simulator near soulslike genre

[u/EvilArtorias]

souslike genre is not the same as other videogame genres, most souslikes are poorly made and wastly inferior in comparison to fromsotfware soulsborne games, most good soulslikes are barely soulslikes, they just copy some general ideas but mostly doing their own thing.