If we talk about influential modern video game franchises, the action games created by From Software (now collectively known as the Soulsborne games) spawned entirely new gaming genres. Most of these titles have been critically acclaimed, so we'll be ranking them all from worst to best.
Ranking all Soulborne games from worst to best
The soul-like genre is Demon's Souls Coming into platform games, shooters, and even music games in 2009, From Software's titles are considered by many to be the best titles developed by the creators of the genre. These games are defined by the element of trial and error, the countless secrets that exist in the game world, the labyrinthine lore required to understand each crumbling world, and of course, their difficulty. Sweetly and terrifyingly difficult. From Software's games are difficult (sometimes brutally difficult), but like masochists, people keep coming back for more.
When ranking the seven Soulborne games, there are a few things to consider. Overall quality is definitely a factor, but you also need to consider the difficulty balance of each game. Sure, these games are hard, but there's a difference between a fair, reflex-testing challenge against enemies like Gehrman the First Hunter or Artorias the Abyss Watcher, and an attack from the Godskin Duo or Bed of Chaos. There's also how interesting the worlds are, how each game differs from the other Soulborne games in setting, mechanics, and characters, and how it all comes together in the end.
As for which titles to include, it's clear that any game developed by FromSoftware would be good, but the question has arisen as to whether to include the 2020 remakes. Demon's Souls We also considered whether we should take each game's DLC into account when ranking them. In the end, we decided not to include this remake in the discussion because, while it's a great remake of a great game, it wasn't technically developed by FromSoftware and therefore doesn't qualify. However, we did decide to take into account each game's DLC and how it contributes to the overall experience when ranking each game.
With that in mind, we've ranked all of the Soulsborne games from worst to best.
7) Dark Souls II (2014)
Dark Souls II It's a bit of an “outcast” compared to other Soulsborne games developed by From Software. The boss and enemy designs favor quantity over quality, making the difficulty one-sided. Bosses are either brutally defeated in a few hits, or the equivalent of banging your head against a wall until it bleeds. The game overall lacks creativity, Dark Souls I ended up calling it a day without ever understanding why the game's broken world was so compelling, and while it's still a good game, it feels a lot clunkier than its predecessor and sequel thanks to a more restricted movement system and a hollowing mechanic that makes dying feel even more painful, leading players to rightfully believe this is the weakest Soulborne game.
6) Demon's Souls (2009)
The problem is Demon's Souls It's not a bad game, but it Dark soul. Everything we know Dark Souls It's all here: experience points earned but lost on death, punishing difficulty, asynchronous multiplayer encouraging cooperation. It's all there, if a little unrefined. Progression is open yet limited, with players taking four different routes to confront King Arant. The game is hard, but by no means cheap (except when you fight Arant, when he makes a move that reduces your level). It's a great introduction to the series. But it's not a cheap game. Dark Souls And it's not Demon's Souls The work that made the Soulsborne series famous. Furthermore, it is a remake by a company other than FromSoft. Demon's Souls It exists and it's great, so if you're only going to play one version, choose the remake.
5) SEKIRO: SHADOW DIE TWICE (2019)
There are some players I absolutely love Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice It's just how refreshing this game is compared to other Soulborne games: platforming elements, Japanese-inspired settings, stealth, and a parry system, all of which Sekiro It's a completely different monster than its siblings, and requires true skill to beat. It's a more straightforward action game than the other Soulsborne games, and the boss fights are wonderfully crafted. That being said, there's very little character-building in the game for players to experiment with, which is something most Soulsborne games are great at playing. Sekiroyou either master the mechanics or die over and over again. For those who love the gameplay, there are plenty of reasons to love how Sekiro If it were better designed, the game would probably rank higher, but compared to From Software's other Soulsborne games, I can't help but feel a little frustrated with a game that forces you to master one mechanic rather than allowing you to experiment.
4) Dark Souls III (2016)
serves as the end of Dark Souls Trilogy, Dark Souls III After the notable changes made by , it's a return to what made the original game so beloved. Dark Souls II. Many of the mechanics are gone, Dark Souls II A very polarizing game, but instead we got a game that brings us back to the same world (literally) Dark SoulsThat may sound great, and it is, but Dark Souls III The game itself is great when compared to previous games, but when compared to how much experimentation From Software has had with the series so far; Dark Souls III It's a safe sequel, and while it's not too eventful, it still delivers the thrills and satisfying gameplay loop you'd expect.
3) Dark Souls (2011)
It may not have started it all Dark Souls It was a perfect representation of what a Soulsborne game is. Dark Souls' Its popularity as a pioneer of the subgenre isn't just a pretense. Dark Souls It feels like a slap in the face, in the best sense of the word. The game has some cheesy enemy placements and subpar boss fights, but the risk-reward style of exploration, encouraging players to discover and explore the world deeper and deeper, is still refreshing after all these years. The game is so memorable that it makes you forget how difficult it was to develop, thanks to the heartwarming music and bleak world design. The game has the power to permeate your thinking, and every time you play it makes you want to try new character builds and find ways to hone your skills even more. The only thing stopping this game is the Dark Souls What keeps it out of the top two spots is that the game feels a little dated, not only because it's a seventh-gen game but also because future Soulsborne games will likely be improving on what's already there.
2) Elden Ring (2022)
Very similar Dark Souls II, Elden Ring is a game that frequently brags about being bigger than its predecessor. DS2 unexploded, Elden Ring In fact, they've coupled that vast amount of content with meaningful improvements, putting their money where their mouth is. Making an open-world Soulsborne game was a big gamble for FromSoftware, but it's paid off. Compared to most other Soulsborne titles, Elden Ring is the most accessible game to date, allowing players to customize their playstyle and experience the game on a level unthinkable over a decade ago. This results in some of the best combat ever in a FromSoftware developed game, including epic battles with Starscourage Radahn and devastating fights with Malenia, the Blade of Miquella. Elden Ring's only real weakness is that the difficulty can become overly steep at times due to unfair combat and mechanics, but overall, that's only a minor quibble in a game that ranks as one of the best of the last decade.
1) Bloodborne (2015)
Unique BloodborneEven after many years, loved ones Bloodborne I love it. It's the most action-focused game in the Soulsborne series, forcing players to constantly launch attacks against equally aggressive enemies. The world of Yharnam is made even more beautiful and bleak by the OST, one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. The customization, exploration, and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Soulsborne games are all there, but in a gothic package that fans will want to replay year after year. While the slower, more deliberate action of other Soulsborne games may be the norm, BloodborneThe faster, more intuitive pace of is loved by many gamers, Bloodborne The best soulborn game.