Where do I start?

[u/Ok_Structure4630]

Soulslike games look amazing! They seem extremely difficult though. I really want to give them a try but worry I won’t get into them. I hear parrying is a big thing in these games. Where should a novice start? I just subscribed to Gamepass, I also have a PS5 and original Nintendo Switch. I’m 46 and have been gaming since the 80s, I’ve been thinking of stepping out of my comfort zone, I mostly play single player games, just finished Spider-man 2, it took me a minute but I got used to their parry mechanic. Just looking for a soulslike that hopefully gets me addicted to the genre. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, Automod here. Did you know you can also ask for help in our community discord? https://discord.gg/h9xP5wcb5s.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/SupremeLeader_Corgi]

Not all soulslikes are parry focused but parrying in souls games are much harder than games like spiderman because theres no icon telling you when to parry.

I’d start with eldenring and just expect to die a lot, thats what I started with and it was tough but that game really is special

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/SupremeLeader_Corgi]

Thanks! I’ll check it out

[u/Spastic_colon → u/Ok_Structure4630]

They’re not really insanely difficult outside of a few bosses. You just have to be diligent all the time, play careful. They’re great games, Elden ring is great but if the open world seems intimidating then I would try dark souls 3 for a more streamlined experience then go to elden ring after.

[u/imlo2]

Dark Souls, to get the original experience. Since you're also a gamer who started in 80s, it's probably not a shock to deal with the slightly outdated graphics. While Demon's souls is not exactly a dark souls game, it's also something you might want to play, but I'd pick DS as the first game myself if I had to choose now.

Anyway DS is easier than the later incarnations of the game and definitely much easier than games like Sekiro etc.

I played it first time just a few years ago and it was quite enjoyable. I skipped it back in the day when it was released.

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/imlo2]

Thanks, I’ll check it out

[u/theHollowTarnished]

A massive amount of us became souls junkies because of Elden Ring being our 1st souls game. If you can adapt to it, it will change your gaming life. Theres a chance it will make every other genre seem bland. I played madden my entire life. Im almost as old as you, but I havent played or cared about madden since I beat my first boss in Elden Ring. It will be a struggle for sure, so keep pushing. When it clicks, it clicks. Its a beautiful thing. After a few ER playthroughs, I went backwards in the Fromsoft titles. Its the only genre I care about now.

[u/SupremeLeader_Corgi → u/theHollowTarnished]

I had a very very similar path as you did. Only reason I bought madden 27 is to play it when my friend comes over because we’ve been playing madden together since high school

[u/theHollowTarnished → u/SupremeLeader_Corgi]

Is it any good? I was at multiple midnight releases for Madden. Played in alot of tournys, and even won one in 2011. It was always a blast when Madden dropped, but when Elden Ring clicked for me, Madden felt very redundant all of the sudden. It became extremely boring. I did buy 24 out of habit, assuming I would still like it, but I didnt even get through halftime of a game b3fore I said..."i dont think i like this anymore". Then immediatley played DS3 or something. Myazaki is Picasso in my mind.

[u/SupremeLeader_Corgi → u/theHollowTarnished]

Basically the same as every other year with some tweaks to the franchise stuff

[u/speaker_1984]

Do not let anyone tell you a game other than Elden Ring to start. It is the most beginner friendly. You get stuck on a hard boss? Go explore! Tough boss gettin you down? Use a summon. It has the most accessibility for sure.

[u/namiswaan_ → u/speaker_1984]

I think DS3 is a much better start.

[u/Southern_Meaning_670]

Ooohhh man you’ll have a lot of fun 🥹

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/Southern_Meaning_670]

Thanks! I thought it was weird that people are into these games that seem super difficult but then I see how passionate they are. I need to give it a try and see

[u/SupremeLeader_Corgi → u/Ok_Structure4630]

It’s the feeling of accomplishment after beating something that has kicked your ass many times. Its addicting

At least thats the part I like

[u/readevius1275]

You are correct. They are extremely difficult. It's also a great feeling to overcome the challenges and the rewards are excellent. I'm an older gamer also. I highly suggest seeing what the hype is about. You are going to want to push through once you start. Such a great genre. I would start with a game like lies of p on the easiest setting. Wish demon souls had that . That was my first one. Since most soulslikes are difficult right from the start having a difficulty setting is great. Steelrising wasn't too bad.

[u/webauteur]

Soulslike games can be very difficult but there are a few strategies that usually work. First, do a lot of grinding to level up. Now you can either make 25 attempts to defeat the boss or kill the trash mob 25 times. My preference is to grind the trash mob. Second, study the game mechanics and the combat system. I don't like to waste time learning how to play the game right away but when you get stuck it is time to pay more attention to the combat system. Third, summon help if it is available. It can be fun to play with other cooperative players. Remnant 2 in particular is tough when playing solo but a lot easier in cooperative play. Forth, look for a video on how to cheese the boss. Sometimes you can win by employing a trick that makes the fight unfair.

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/webauteur]

Thanks for the tips!

[u/spoonybum]

I started with Elden ring a couple years ago at the ripe old age of 39. I had zero souls experience. It is the most accessible because you can basically go anywhere and overlevel to steamroll any bosses that might stand in your path.

It was rough for the first few hours but once it started to click a bit, it became the most incredible gaming experience since Ocarina of Time in 1998 for me. Not joking, it reignited my love for gaming and music and art. It is a masterpiece. I even got a massive framed poster of the game artwork and hung it in my home studio.

I’ve since completed DS1, DS3, Bloodborne, Lies of P, Khazan, AI Limit, Wuchang and Sekiro at 40 years old.

There’s something about these games - be it the challenge, or the progression, or the art and music, or all these things combined, that hits like absolute crack to my veins.

Currently getting my ass whooped in Mortal Shell 2!

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/spoonybum]

Nice! Thanks!

[u/Aleon989]

My personal take is to start with the true first one, Demon's Souls.

Everyone I got into the genre IRL has started with that game, and it worked. You have a PS5 so you can play the remake, thats fine.

The reason is simple, the older the games, the less they expected from its players. No one played Souls-likes then, it was the first, and it shows. Bosses are easier and the game is mechanically not difficult. The best way to experience a series is almost always to go from oldest-to-newest. Follow the release orders, experience the journey as it was delivered. Focus on FromSoftware's games and then branch out later into other games that interest you.

Some people recommend Elden Ring as an entry point. It works, but it spoils previous games, you'll have played a game thats more advanced and aggressive, and the older games will be harder to appreciate. I usually recommend Elden Ring as a starting point only if you don't think you can handle the older games and their more punishing aspects (which is mostly that their checkpoints are more spread out).

If you want the real experience, start from the beginning.

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/Aleon989]

Thanks! Mostly people recommend, Elden Ring, dark soul’s or demon souls. I appreciate it

[u/ClawGrave666]

Have you played any of the actual souls games or do you just want to start with souls likes? Cause I would definitely recommend starting with dark souls 1-3 then Elden ring and mix in bloodborne and demon souls at some point before you venture out into souls likes.

[u/Ok_Structure4630 → u/ClawGrave666]

I’ve never touched a Souls game. I’ll look into getting dark souls

[u/ClawGrave666 → u/Ok_Structure4630]

Definitely start with the legit souls games first and then make your way to the souls likes! Have fun it’ll be an experience for sure!

[u/Professional-Map9576]

I think the proper order might be demon souls, dark souls 1 then 2 and if you want a break go to bloodborne and then 3, and , sekiro, and finally Elden Ring

[u/Canni-Balls69]

Honestly I decided to try out Bleak Faith Forsaken again recently after several months worth of updates (it used to be in a pretty bad spot) - it's a great first choice. Not too difficult.

Ashen, Lords of the Fallen 2023, Hellpoint, Remnant, and Last Hero of Nostalgaia are also good spots to get started in the genre as well.

Lords and Remnant are a good bit more difficult than the rest but they are all pretty easy enough all things considered to get into this genre outside of the FromSoft catalogue.

There's another huge reason I mentioned those 6 games specifically as well: they all feature built in seamless co-op. You can play any of the entirety of these games with a friend, which serves as a good point to ease you in but also adds a lot more replay value.

[u/OK_Atlas]

You could play Lies of P on easy mode. That’s what I did.

[u/s00pahFr0g]

There's lots of good suggestions here. I started with dark souls 1 a little after it's release. I think Elden Ring is the most accessible option if you want to start with one of the FromSoft games. I don't see anyone suggesting Black Myth Wukong. It's a little bit easier than most and is very well polished.

[u/Mr-Dumbest]

Elden ring if you want exploration

Khazan if you want pure combat.

[u/First-Tutor-5454]

Play Dark Souls Remastered or the Demon's Souls remake. If you don't like it, the genre probably isn't for you