What Order Should I Play Dark Souls In?
The Dark Souls series is a beloved franchise known for its challenging gameplay, rich lore, and atmospheric world-building. With multiple games to choose from, new players may wonder what order to play them in to get the most out of their Dark Souls experience. In this article, we’ll explore the best order to play the Dark Souls games, discuss the pros and cons of each approach, and provide a brief overview of each game.
The Best Order to Play the Dark Souls Games
While there’s no one "right" answer, the following order is generally recommended:
- Demon’s Souls (2009) – While not part of the "official" Dark Souls trilogy, Demon’s Souls is often considered the spiritual predecessor to the series and is a great starting point for new players.
- Dark Souls (2011) – This is the first game in the Dark Souls trilogy and sets the tone for the series.
- Dark Souls 2 (2014) – While not as well-received as the first two games, Dark Souls 2 is still a challenging and rewarding experience.
- Bloodborne (2015) – This game is often referred to as the "twilight" of the Souls series, offering a darker and more fast-paced experience.
- Dark Souls 3 (2016) – The final game in the trilogy, Dark Souls 3 is a culmination of all the lessons learned from the previous games.
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) – While not part of the "traditional" Dark Souls series, Sekiro is still a challenging action-adventure game set in the same universe.
- Elden Ring (2022) – The latest game in the series, Elden Ring is a spiritual successor to Dark Souls and offers a new and exciting experience.
Why This Order Makes Sense
Here are some reasons why this order makes sense:
- Story continuity: Playing the games in this order allows players to follow the story from the beginning, as each game builds upon the events of the previous one.
- Gameplay evolution: The games are released in a specific order that reflects the evolution of the gameplay mechanics and world design.
- Challenge level: The games are progressively more challenging, making this order a great way for new players to gradually adjust to the series’ infamous difficulty.
Other Approaches
While the recommended order above is a great starting point, some players may prefer to play the games in a different order. Here are some alternative approaches:
- Chronological order: Playing the games in the order they take place in the Dark Souls universe (Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, Sekiro) can provide a different perspective on the story.
- Difficulty order: Players who want to experience the series in a specific order based on difficulty may choose to play the games in the following order: Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, Sekiro, Demon’s Souls, Elden Ring.
Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Here are some pros and cons of each approach:
- Recommended order: Pros: follows story continuity, gameplay evolution, and challenge level. Cons: may not provide the best balance of difficulty and complexity.
- Chronological order: Pros: provides a unique perspective on the story, allows players to follow the events in chronological order. Cons: may be more challenging for new players, as the gameplay mechanics and world design are different.
- Difficulty order: Pros: provides a clear progression from easy to hard, allows players to adjust to the difficulty level. Cons: may not provide the best story experience, as the games are not designed to be played in this order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there’s no one "right" answer to what order to play the Dark Souls games in, the recommended order above provides the best balance of story continuity, gameplay evolution, and challenge level. New players are encouraged to start with Demon’s Souls and play the games in the recommended order to get the most out of their Dark Souls experience.
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