Souls games

Sekiro vs Dark Souls 3 vs Elden Ring: Which Souls Game Should You Start With?

All three reward reading enemies, accepting mistakes and learning through failure, but they teach those lessons differently. Sekiro commits you to a focused parry system, Dark Souls III pairs compact levels with classic RPG builds, and Elden Ring gives you an open world full of alternate routes and ways to grow stronger.

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The short answer

Choose Elden Ring for the most flexible first step into the genre, Sekiro for concentrated action and precise duels, or Dark Souls III for the classic level-by-level Souls structure with meaningful build choice.

01

Choose Sekiro

You want precise deflections and tightly designed boss fights more than broad character-building freedom.

02

Choose Dark Souls III

You want compact classic Souls levels while still choosing weapons, spells and character builds.

03

Choose Elden Ring

You are new to the genre and want exploration, leveling, summons and builds to give you options when stuck.

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE - GOTY EditionSEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE - GOTY EditionDARK SOULS™ IIIDARK SOULS™ IIIELDEN RINGELDEN RING
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Steam priceFetching priceFetching priceFetching price
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Steam rating95%259,075 reviews94%277,831 reviews93%829,824 reviews
GameGeeker review———
Critic score—90avg of 2Metacritic 89OpenCritic 9095avg of 2Metacritic 94OpenCritic 95
GenresAction · AdventureActionAction · RPG
Release date2019-03-212016-04-112022-02-24
LanguagesEnglish · Simplified Chinese · Japanese · French13 languages totalEnglish · Simplified Chinese · Japanese · French12 languages totalEnglish · Simplified Chinese · Japanese · French15 languages total
PlatformsWindowsWindowsWindows
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What matters most?

Difficulty and recovery

Sekiro concentrates its learning curve around deflection. Dark Souls III moves along a tighter route, while Elden Ring lets you explore elsewhere, level up or change tactics.

Combat and builds

Sekiro sharpens one sword-based system with prosthetic tools. Dark Souls III and Elden Ring offer many weapons and spells, with Elden Ring providing the widest build range.

Exploration pace

Dark Souls III suits a directed campaign, Sekiro favors focused action stages, and Elden Ring is for players who want to decide their own route through a large world.

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FAQ

What is the biggest difference between these three games?
All three reward reading enemies, accepting mistakes and learning through failure, but they teach those lessons differently. Sekiro commits you to a focused parry system, Dark Souls III pairs compact levels with classic RPG builds, and Elden Ring gives you an open world full of alternate routes and ways to grow stronger.
Which one should a newcomer buy first?
Choose Elden Ring for the most flexible first step into the genre, Sekiro for concentrated action and precise duels, or Dark Souls III for the classic level-by-level Souls structure with meaningful build choice.
Can I change the games in this comparison?
This page keeps the three featured games fixed. To swap or add a game, open the custom comparison and edit the lineup there.