FromSoftware has become one of the most prominent video game companies of all time, thanks to its huge modern successes such as Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Players love the hardcore combat in these games, pushing them to reach new heights as they strive to become as competent as possible in these titles.
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FromSoftware knew how to make an introduction in these games that had incredible opening scenes and moments.
The Souls DNA is rampant in most of FromSoftware's modern games, including Sekiro — a title that is a huge departure in many ways yet fits like a glove for players familiar with this studio's works. Getting stronger and more skilled as players tear apart bosses and enemies makes for a great time that players can't get enough of.
8 Dark Souls 2
Has Its Issues, But It Is A Worthy Entry In The Series
Dark Souls 2
- Released
- March 11, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The lack of Miyazaki's influence is palpable in Dark Souls 2, but there's still a lot to this experience that fans will love. The emphasis on a story that feels less passive allows players to engage in epic battles while exploring a decaying world.
The combat feels as great as ever, and players will love taking out the many enemies that stand in their way. Once players get used to Dark Souls 2's mechanics, powering through this game and its DLC will feel great.
7 Elden Ring Nightreign
The Focus On Co-op Gameplay And Roguelike Design Makes For An Interesting Experiment
Elden Ring Nightreign
- Released
- May 30, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
The success of Elden Ring compelled FromSoftware to develop a spinoff title with a co-op focus and procedurally generated elements. The end result is Elden Ring Nightreign, a fun experiment with a few quirks that players will get over in no time.
The insistence on three-player co-op is frustrating, but the gameplay loop is solid enough for players to have a great time with this experience. Controlling preset characters and combining strategies to defeat both new and old bosses alike makes Nightreign a joy to play through.
6 Demon's Souls
Established The Formula That Other Modern FromSoftware Action RPGs Would Build Upon
Demon's Souls
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The first attempt at establishing the Souls experience was a bit rough around the edges, but Demon's Souls had a lot of good things going for it. Instead of an interconnected world, players explored multiple stages and organically figured out the best way to make progress.
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The World Tendency mechanic made for an interesting gimmick that added some flavor to the action of Demon's Souls. It helps that Bluepoint Games' remake enhances the visuals considerably and makes this the most beautiful Souls game players can get their hands on in terms of pure graphical quality.
5 Dark Souls 3
A Fitting End To This Legendary Trilogy
Dark Souls 3
- Released
- March 24, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Miyazaki returned to direct the final chapter in the Dark Souls series, featuring fun callbacks and incredible boss fights that have become legendary in their own right. Players will love exploring the dying world of Lothric and engaging with the great lore.
The combat takes some notes from Bloodborne and boasts a noticeably faster pace than its predecessors. This ensures that controlling the Ashen One is a blast as players match the frenetic pace of this game's battles, with some flashy Weapon Arts to enhance the flair of their moves.
4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Parry-Focused Combat And Some Fun Spins On The FromSoftware Formula Made For A Great Time
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Sekiro's parry-focused mechanic and lack of leveling up make this one of the most challenging FromSoftware games in the eyes of many. Overleveling is impossible, and players must either match the skill level of the bosses or die trying.
Thankfully, deflecting attacks feels so great that players will love breaking an opponent's posture and leaving them open for deathblows over and over again. The ninja tools and trickier combat moves ensure that Sekiro will be a blast to play from start to end.
3 Elden Ring
The Open World And GRRM Collaboration Helped This Game Reach Legendary Heights
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring burst onto the scene and comfortably established itself as the most successful FromSoftware game by a country mile. A huge reason for this is the immaculate open world that gently guides players in interesting directions instead of flooding the map with generic things to do and find.
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This unique approach, coupled with the patented Souls combat system that's better than ever, ensures that fans can't get enough of Elden Ring. Shadow of the Erdtree further bolsters this game's quality and makes for a fun chapter that players will love to explore... After they find enough Scadutree Fragments to get stronger, that is.
2 Dark Souls
Easily The Most Important FromSoftware Game Ever Made
Dark Souls
- Released
- September 22, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
There's no denying that Dark Souls is FromSoftware's most important game by a country mile. The impact of this title can't be stated enough, with its success spawning a whole new subgenre of action games that fans can't get enough of.
The interconnected world is the very best FromSoftware has developed for a game to this day, with Elden Ring's sandbox being the only map that can challenge Dark Souls' stellar level design. The combat is challenging yet fair, with players loving how to optimize their builds and become stronger as they become more well-versed with the title and its mechanics.
1 Bloodborne
Many People Consider This To Be Miyazaki's Magnum Opus
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
From the very moment players started Bloodborne, they were absorbed by this game's tonal shift from the Dark Souls games. The gothic and Lovecraftian horror elements did their part to help Bloodborne's lore and storytelling stand apart as the very best fans have seen in a FromSoftware game.
The combat of this game was critical to shaping the future of FromSoftware's Souls games. The faster pace and lack of blocking meant that players either had to dodge or stagger enemies to avoid damage, which made for a reactive combat system that rewarded aggression and let players school challenging bosses while looking epic in the process.
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If you're looking for a challeneging Soulslike game that you can play with friends, give one of these a try!