These FromSoftware Games Will Break Your Spirit: A Crushing Difficulty Ranking

Summary

Fromsoftware creates compelling games with brutal difficulty, defining a new standard in gaming.
Games like Armored Core VI offer unique challenges outside the Soulslike genre.
Titles like Elden Ring provide expansive gameplay with player-determined difficulty levels.

FromSoftware is well-recognized for developing captivating and unique games that have carved their own niche within the gaming world over the past ten years. This has been largely due to their distinctive blend of extreme challenge, innovative design, and the unforgettable experiences they provide, which has led many to associate FromSoftware with the Soulslike genre. They consistently release game after game that is considered the best in the industry, setting new standards for what a great game should be.

Many of their games are steeped in challenges born from adversity, and there’s been quite a bit of debate and critique surrounding the tough entry barriers for some of their more demanding series. With each fresh addition to their collection, gamers face a battery of new hurdles and skills to conquer and dominate in order to excel within these worlds. It’s challenging not to make comparisons with prior games or opine on which one is the toughest or the ideal starting point. This compilation will delve into which FromSoftware games present the steepest learning curve, creating the most formidable experience for novice players – irrespective of their overall appeal.

9. Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

Cinematic Sequences Minus The Insane Difficulty

The newly released title, “Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon“, serves as an enticing comeback for fans of the series, offering a fresh start for newcomers to the franchise. Unlike many games developed by FromSoftware that involve tough fantasy battles with legendary creatures, “Armored Core” offers a distinctly different gameplay experience and level of challenge through its mech-versus-mech combat. This unique battle style is seldom seen in other games from this developer.

Mastering movement is the most significant learning aspect in this game, requiring players to navigate diverse terrains at high velocity, jump to dodge incoming attacks, and fire weapons mounted on each mech simultaneously. Despite its distinct departure from traditional shooter games, the mechanics are relatively straightforward and less taxing compared to other titles by FromSoftware.

8. Demon’s Souls

A Different Feeling But Not Too Complex

Originally, FromSoftware embarked on their Soulslike adventure with “Demon’s Souls”. This game marked the beginning of their distinctive gameplay style becoming widely recognized. A PlayStation 5 remake allowed a larger audience to discover

In terms of gameplay, things are much slower and less intense compared to games like Bloodborne or Elden Ring. However, it still retains the Soulslike elements fans have come to appreciate from the developers. Demon’s Souls focuses more on world design and visual spectacle rather than intricate combat mechanics. Each level is segmented but interconnected within its respective biome. The bosses in this game are creatively designed, though their move sets may not be as diverse or fast-paced as those found in later games in the series.

7. King’s Field

Ahead Of Its Time

The King’s Field series, often overshadowed by other successes from FromSoftware, has its roots in the ’90s. Its gameplay bears a strong resemblance to that era, with deliberate attacks and an ominous, eerie environment brimming with equal parts horror and mystery as it does intrigue. This early game laid the foundation for what would later become the Dark Souls era.

In earlier versions, the player encounters less intense pressure compared to later games, but mastering the attack mechanism can be challenging due to the slow pace and recharge time for each swing, making the character susceptible to attacks from surrounding undead foes. Additionally, these older games lack contemporary mechanics and player expectations, so newcomers must spend considerable time adapting to the game’s slower tempo and harsher penalties for errors. Although it may not match the extreme difficulty of modern gaming’s toughest titles, it remains challenging in terms of initial gameplay struggles and offers a decent level of challenge.

6. Dark Souls 3

Going Back To Basics

Dark Souls III built upon the strengths and weaknesses of its predecessors, offering an unparalleled Souls-like gaming experience. With a rich assortment of weapons to choose from, stunning landscapes, and formidable boss battles that endure in players’ memories for years, it excels in every aspect. Even surpassing expectations, it delivers more than promised. In terms of challenge level, it boasts a more balanced progression compared to later installments, gradually increasing the difficulty without swamping the player with intricate mechanics and move sets.

In this game, some of the most challenging bosses from the entire series can be found, mostly in later stages and downloadable content. This means players won’t encounter a difficult obstacle early on, instead allowing them to immerse themselves in exploring the world and battling an array of diverse enemies. Compared to games like Demon’s Souls, attacks from bosses are swifter and more intricate, with numerous elements on-screen that need to be dodged. However, rolling is a valuable skill that should help players conquer the game entirely.

5. Elden Ring

Overwhelming And With A Lot To Learn

Elden Ring, the latest in Soulslikes and open-world games, has achieved feats that many considered impossible. It’s one of those rare games that can genuinely be called era-defining. Essentially, it’s a melting pot of every FromSoftware game, offering swift attacks, colossal bosses, vast dungeons, and more. Players are free to assume any role they wish as they engage in endless combat with a variety of enemies, providing countless replay opportunities.

The game presents a level of difficulty, but what truly deters some players is its vast, unguided map. Instead of clear objectives or waypoints, you’re mostly relying on Grace for guidance. This could be challenging for those accustomed to linear levels or marked objectives, as exploring an open world filled with danger and evil can feel overwhelming without these navigational aids. However, the game’s appeal lies in its flexibility, allowing players to choose their playstyle and approach. With numerous weapons, armor, gear, and spells at your disposal, the potential combinations seem almost limitless, which can significantly impact the difficulty of the challenges you encounter.

4. Dark Souls

Punishing At Its Worst, Exhilarating At Its Best

A remarkable game that initiated an exceptionally challenging trilogy, “Dark Souls” offers nothing to players yet demands a great deal, maintaining its difficulty level from the very beginning without any apology – even branding the DLC pack as the “Prepare To Die Edition.” FromSoftware intentionally made the game tough, but their design process ensured it remained challenging yet fair. One of the most difficult aspects of the initial “Dark Souls” is the limited fast travel options early on, making exploration particularly arduous since a single misstep could set the player back considerably.

Experienced players accustomed to Soulslike games, boasting numerous victories, often find it challenging to adapt to the older, heavier gameplay style. This is due to fewer opportunities for rapid dodging and an increased focus on strategic, patient actions, which are crucial in navigating the multitude of legendary bosses scattered across the game world. It may not push gamers to their absolute physical limits, but it does require a fair amount of learning to grow accustomed to its unique feel and mechanics, particularly for those who are familiar with quicker, more agile combat systems.

3. Dark Souls 2

Sometimes Hard To Comprehend

Regardless of personal feelings towards it, there’s no escaping the fact that Dark Souls 2 is a significant cornerstone within the FromSoftware collection and is renowned for its challenging nature. This game’s difficulty isn’t solely based on skill; it’s also due to features like adaptability mechanics, which subtly modify actions such as drinking or rolling, making them quicker. If players aren’t aware of this feature, they might encounter troubles as the usual actions used in most battles may seem slow and tiresome, leading to frustration and multiple deaths.

The map design in this game is quite peculiar, featuring numerous paths that can be taken simultaneously, making it challenging to determine the optimal path – a contrast to the straightforward maps encountered elsewhere. Adding to the complexity are questionable enemy placements, terrifying locales, and boss encounters that might just shatter your controller. While the gameplay could be slightly tougher than its predecessor, the overall experience can feel excessively challenging and even frustrating at times due to certain design elements.

2. Bloodborne

No Margin For Error

Regarded by many as among, if not the top, games developed by FromSoftware, Bloodborne transitions into a distinctly unique territory, borrowing elements from its predecessors and ramping up the challenge to an extreme degree that remains tough to surpass in modern gaming. For instance, the absence of replenishable healing items could catch newcomers off guard, as they find themselves navigating the streets of Yharnham in search of rare Blood Vials while simultaneously mastering the game’s fundamental mechanics.

As a gamer, I can’t help but highlight two crucial features that set this game apart: the rally system and the parry mechanic. The rally system, in its own twisted way, pushes you to be aggressive even when faced with absolute horrors. On the flip side, the parry mechanic, with its delicate timing, can make certain bosses unbeatable if not executed perfectly.

The initial streets of Yharnam and the early boss battles create a merciless, gut-wrenching test that could bring many players’ adventures to an abrupt halt before they even get started. Even when you have plenty of vials, the gameplay itself is relentlessly tough and demanding, requiring intense focus and aggression – qualities seldom seen in other titles.

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Learn To Deflect Or Get Used To Dying

Among all the challenging curves created by FromSoftware, none may be as formidable or potentially persistent as “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.” This game quickly distinguishes itself from its predecessors in the Soulsborne series, with strategies and conventional mechanics proving less effective and potentially leading to more setbacks than victories.

In essence, if Bloodborne was tough due to its precise timing parry system, then a game that centers combat around aggressive and rhythmic parrying will be among the toughest gaming experiences any player could encounter. This is essentially a ‘learn or perish’ scenario, as the game seldom offers room for error, and usually, even small mistakes lead to immediate failure. It’s an exceptional game, but it also presents one of the most difficult and demanding challenges for newcomers to conquer on their initial try.

2025-04-08 00:38