There’s a certain magic in a FromSoftware game that’s hard to explain until you’ve lived it. It’s the palms‑sweating, heart‑racing mix of dread and wonder as you push open a towering set of doors, unsure if treasure or tragedy waits on the other side. I still recall my first time stepping into Dark Souls’ Anor Londo — that sunlight tricked me into hope before the Silver Knight spears came flying. Those moments are why people keep asking, “What are the best FromSoftware games?” and why the studio has such a dedicated, almost stubbornly loyal fan base.
- They popularized the “Soulslike” genre, emphasizing difficulty, exploration, and player mastery.
Best FromSoftware Games — A Journey Through Challenge and Beauty
FromSoftware didn’t pop out of nowhere with Dark Souls. They’ve been experimenting since the King’s Field era of the 1990s — and even earlier titles like Shadow Tower (1998) hinted at the atmospheric danger and stamina-driven combat that would later define the Soulsborne formula. They slowly refined their design philosophy into something instantly recognizable: worlds that invite you in but never compromise their danger. Whether you’re a newcomer wondering where to start or a veteran ready to debate rankings for hours, this list blends history, personal impressions, and a good dose of “you had to be there” nostalgia.
1. Ranking Methodology — How We Chose the Best of the Best
Building this ranking wasn’t just about Metacritic scores or sales numbers. We weighed five big factors: gameplay innovation, memorable world-building, the quality of the storytelling (subtle or not), replayability, and cultural impact. Yes, some of this is deeply subjective — ask any two fans to list the top three, and prepare for a heated Elden Ring vs. Bloodborne argument over coffee.
Whenever someone asks, “How did you decide which game is number one?”, my answer is simple: the top spot had to be the game that best defines FromSoftware’s DNA while still feeling timeless and approachable today. Not necessarily the biggest or most polished, but the one that makes you think, this is what they were born to make.
9 — King’s Field IV (2001)
Booting up King’s Field IV, one of the best FromSoftware games, on the PlayStation 2 today feels like peering into the primordial ooze that would one day give rise to Dark Souls. It’s slow, cryptic, and occasionally clunky, but it delivers the same atmospheric weight and punishing combat that became the studio’s signature.
- It’s remembered for its eerie atmosphere, slow deliberate combat, and as FromSoftware’s last entry in the King’s Field series.
Players often ask, “Are FromSoftware’s older games worth playing today?” My answer: only if you’re willing to adjust to their pacing. The magic here is seeing the blueprints of future masterpieces — the labyrinthine level design, the silent NPCs who drip‑feed lore, the feeling of uncovering ancient ruin after ancient ruin.
8 — Demon’s Souls (2009)
There’s a thrill in remembering that Demon’s Souls was almost dead on arrival until word of mouth turned it into a cult phenomenon. It introduced us to the checkpoint bonfires, the invasions, and the brutal but fair combat loop.
- It pioneered the Soulsborne formula with brutal difficulty, atmospheric design, and asynchronous online features.
If you’ve ever wondered where the Soulsborne template really began, it’s here. And while the PS5 remake brings visual clarity, I’m partial to the color‑tinted eeriness of the original — the slightly foggy, dreamlike quality just hits different.
7 — Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (2023)
Yes, FromSoftware can build more than cryptic fantasy worlds. Armored Core VI reminded the world that the studio’s mecha roots are still strong. Lasers, gatling cannons, thruster‑powered dodge moves — it’s a different flavor of difficulty.
- It’s acclaimed for customizable mechs, intense boss battles, and FromSoftware’s signature challenge applied to mecha warfare.
Fans ask me, “Has FromSoftware made good games outside Dark Souls?” Absolutely. The pacing here is faster, the skills require twitch reflexes, and the customization is ridiculously deep. It’s proof they can do futuristic destruction as confidently as gothic despair.
6 — Dark Souls II (2014)
It’s the odd child of the trilogy — ambitious, experimental, and divisive. Dark Souls II, among the best FromSoftware games, expanded the map structure, added dual‑wielding power stances, and tweaked stamina mechanics in ways that still split the fanbase.
- It’s known for flexible builds and vast exploration, though often debated as the black sheep of the trilogy.
Some say it’s “easier,” but that’s only true if you skip certain optional nightmares. For me, the haunting imagery of the Dragon Aerie and Shrine of Amana is worth the occasional uneven boss design.
5 — Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
I still hear that click‑clang of perfect parry chains when I think of Sekiro. No build variety, no hiding behind a summoned ally — just relentless sword‑to‑sword combat demanding precision.
- It’s praised for fast-paced combat, precise parrying, and a unique focus on posture over health.
Players often ask, “Which FromSoftware game is the hardest?” For pure execution difficulty, Sekiro takes the crown. It’s not about grinding levels but mastering exact timing. When you finally break an enemy’s guard and land that deathblow, it’s bliss.
4 — Bloodborne (2015)
Yharnam is a nightmare I keep running back to. The Victorian‑horror aesthetic, the swift aggression of combat, and the way the story peels back into something cosmic and horrifying… it’s intoxicating.
- It’s praised for its fast-paced combat, cosmic horror themes, and masterful gothic atmosphere.
And for anyone wondering, “Which has the most unique combat?”, Bloodborne’s gun‑parry and rally‑health mechanics turn every fight into a high‑risk sprint. You can’t turtle here — hesitation is death.
3 — Dark Souls III (2016)
Dark Souls III, one of the best FromSoftware games, is like a greatest hits album, tying together threads from the entire series. It’s faster and flashier than its predecessors, yet it still knows when to slow down for those quiet, oppressive moments.
- It’s praised for fast, refined combat, epic boss battles, and tying together the series’ haunting lore.
It’s one I often recommend to beginners asking, “Which FromSoftware game should I play first?” — the controls are tight, the visuals gorgeous, and the bosses memorable without being overwhelmingly opaque.
2 — Elden Ring (2022)
Riding into Limgrave for the first time, seeing the Erdtree blazing on the horizon, that’s a memory burned into me. Elden Ring opened the Souls formula into a vast, seamless world without losing its danger or mystery.
- It’s celebrated for its vast open world, deep lore by George R.R. Martin, and refined Soulsborne combat.
It’s also a contender for “Which has the best story?” because George R.R. Martin’s layered mythos gives the Lands Between a lived‑in history you can feel even in its ruins. The game’s brilliance is in letting you carve your own path through it.
1 — Dark Souls (2011)
Everything crystallized here. The interlocking world design, the methodical combat pacing, the environmental storytelling — Dark Souls is the spine from which most modern FromSoft hits grow.
- It’s famed for its punishing difficulty, intricate lore, and interconnected level design.
Every shortcut you unlock feels like bending space, and every boss you conquer feels like a line on your personal gaming résumé. It’s less approachable than Dark Souls III, but its sense of place is unmatched.
2. Difficulty, Accessibility, and the Player Experience
There’s no denying that the best FromSoftware games are hard. But they’re not trying to punish you; they’re trying to teach you. The difficulty is a language, and once you learn it, every victory is more meaningful.
Some might say this locks out new players, but tools like spirits in Elden Ring or co‑op summons in Dark Souls create natural accessibility options without diluting the core tension.
3. Beyond Soulsborne — The Studio’s Range
When you peek beyond the dark fantasy, you find Armored Core, Chromehounds, and even quirky releases like 3D Dot Game Heroes. They prove that while FromSoftware excels at Gothic grandeur, they’re not bound to it.
And it’s worth remembering: their adaptability is why they’ve been relevant since the PlayStation 1 era, reinventing themselves without losing their identity.
- Each session sees players select among eight Nightfarer archetypes, explore randomized environments.
In the End — A Legacy Forged in Challenge and Wonder
FromSoftware’s catalog is less about a single “best” game and more about what kind of experience you want. If you crave raw swordplay and unforgiving skill checks, go with Sekiro. If you want lore that burrows into your mind, try Bloodborne. For freedom and scale, it’s Elden Ring. So, which games do think are the best FromSoftware games? The truth is, the best one is the one that teaches you to love the death‑and‑rebirth loop they’ve perfected over decades. Once it clicks, you’ll be hooked — and every locked door will feel like an invitation instead of a barrier.
FAQs
Q1: Which FromSoftware game has the longest average playtime?
Elden Ring holds the record due to its sheer open‑world scope, often running well past 100 hours for completionists.
Q2: Have any FromSoftware games won Game of the Year awards?
Yes — Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019, and Elden Ring earned the same in 2022.
Q3: Is there a FromSoftware game with an easy mode?
No official easy mode exists, but mechanics like summons, co‑op, and over‑leveling effectively create a gentler experience.
Q4: Which FromSoftware game has the most bosses?
Elden Ring features over 150 unique boss encounters, far more than any other title in their library.
