Elden Ring vs. Dark Souls 3: Which FromSoftware Game Should You Play First?
FromSoftware has built one of gaming's most devoted fanbases with their punishing but rewarding action-RPG formula. If you're new to their games, you've probably been told to "just play them all" — but realistically, you need a starting point. The two most commonly recommended entry points are Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3. Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Overview: What Are These Games?
Dark Souls 3 (2016) is the culmination of the original Dark Souls trilogy — a tightly designed, linear action-RPG built around precise combat, interconnected level design, and an atmospheric dark fantasy world.
Elden Ring (2022) takes that same combat foundation and places it in a vast open world co-created with author George R.R. Martin. It's FromSoftware's most ambitious and commercially successful game to date.
Combat: Similar Roots, Different Feel
Both games share the same core combat DNA: stamina management, dodge timing, and reading enemy attack patterns. However, they feel meaningfully different in practice.
| Aspect | Dark Souls 3 | Elden Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Pace | Measured, slower | Faster, more fluid |
| Build Variety | Good | Exceptional |
| Boss Difficulty | High, but consistent | High, with notable spikes |
| Weapon Arts | Basic system | Deep and varied Ashes of War |
World Design & Exploration
Dark Souls 3 is linear with carefully crafted interconnected areas. Every shortcut feels earned, every hidden path is intentional. For players who want a focused, directed experience, this is incredibly satisfying.
Elden Ring opens into the Lands Between — a massive open world filled with optional dungeons, hidden bosses, and secrets around every corner. This openness is a double-edged sword: it offers unmatched freedom but can also leave new players directionless. The upside? If you're stuck on a boss, you can simply go explore somewhere else and come back stronger.
Difficulty & Accessibility
This is the crux of the debate for beginners:
- Dark Souls 3 is more linear, meaning you can't "grind past" a difficult section — you have to get better at it. This teaches the game's mechanics efficiently but can be frustrating.
- Elden Ring's open world provides natural difficulty relief. Stuck on a boss? Explore, level up, find new gear. This makes it more forgiving for newcomers who don't yet have the pattern recognition for tough encounters.
- Elden Ring also has more build variety and a robust summoning system (NPC summons), giving players more tools to customize difficulty to their comfort level.
Story & Lore
Both games tell their stories obliquely — through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and cryptic NPC dialogue rather than cutscenes and exposition. Elden Ring's world has slightly more narrative hook thanks to George R.R. Martin's world-building involvement, while Dark Souls 3 rewards players who have followed the trilogy from the beginning.
The Verdict: Which Should You Play First?
For most new players: Start with Elden Ring. The open world gives you breathing room, the build variety lets you find a playstyle you're comfortable with, and the sheer volume of content means you'll rarely feel truly stuck. It's the most complete and player-friendly entry into FromSoftware's world.
Play Dark Souls 3 if: you prefer tighter, more focused level design, you want to experience the trilogy's conclusion, or you find open worlds overwhelming and want a more directed journey.
Either choice will introduce you to one of gaming's most rewarding challenge-and-mastery loops. There's no wrong answer — just pick one and embrace the difficulty.