Where to start with Soulslike games?
The article that has been published and discussed ten thousand times, so I decided to add my own thoughts to the pile.
The most asked question when it comes to Soulslikes is: where should I start, and what is a good beginner Soulslike? I’ve noticed that people are often scared to get into the genre, thinking every boss is going to take 20 deaths and hours to beat. Those are the bosses that get talked about the most, so it makes sense that people get a little spooked about diving in. But the thing is, most bosses are pretty well balanced and aren’t actually that difficult to beat.
I can appreciate that everyone has their own opinion on what makes a good Soulslike to begin with, but I wanted to throw my five cents into the discussion. I want to categorise the games I would personally recommend to someone who is getting into the genre.
But before I start, I want to clarify that I’ve played all the games on this list. I can’t really recommend something I haven’t touched myself.
Games I Would Personally Recommend to New Soulslike Players
Elden Ring – This is THE game to start with, and this is the game I started with when I finally got around to trying these kinds of games. It is modern, has lots of freedom and, best of all, has all the guides you could possibly need. And yes, there is absolutely no shame in looking up a guide if that is something you prefer doing. The best thing about starting out in Elden Ring is that if you get stuck or wander into an area that is too difficult, you can just go back, get some levels and dive in again later.
Lies of P – Another banger of a game and considered one of the best Soulslikes that isn’t a FromSoftware game. In short, it’s a linear game you can’t really wander from the path and it has flexible mechanics. This game teaches you the parry mechanic that is utilised in so many Soulslikes and ARPGs and gets you used to it.
Lords of the Fallen (2023) – Do not mistake this game for LOTF from 2014 because if you do, you will have a bad time. Lords of the Fallen is a great beginner Soulslike in my opinion. It has relatively easy combat, but the navigation can be tricky at times. Like with Elden Ring, don’t be afraid to look up guides and you will have a great time.
Bonus Game
Black Myth: Wukong – Technically not a pure Soulslike game but it shares some DNA with the genre. Its linear gameplay, many bosses and glorious graphics make it really attractive, and it’s just fun to play. It challenges you but the difficulty is on the lower side. I highly recommend this game, and it was my game of the year for 2024.
Games I Would Avoid as a New Soulslike Player
Dark Souls 1 – This might be an unpopular opinion, but I would not start with Dark Souls 1 even though it’s my all-time favourite game. In my opinion, this is not a beginner-friendly game even though it’s on the easier side. If you get the craving to try out the series, I would always start with Dark Souls 3. It’s more modern and overall a better experience than the first one.
Sekiro – Considered one of the hardest Soulslike games, with brutally hard bosses and a steep learning curve. I don’t think I need to spend much more time explaining my pick here.
Nioh 1, 2 and 3 – Really good games, but I could not in good conscience recommend these games to a new player. The overly complicated weapon and gear systems can throw you off.
So to tie it all together, just go and play the heavy hitters first. These games are the best for a reason. When you have finished them, you can go your own way and decide what to play next. There are many really good Soulslike games out there, but not every one of them will hit for you personally.
And my final tip is just to have fun. If the game is not for you or you are struggling way too much, just quit and come back to it later. I have done it countless times.
Have fun, and I hope this list has given you at least a little insight into the genre.
