Six games, a new “genre” created, a substantial number of influenced titles that were quite good—Ni-Oh, Salt & Sanctuary—and some mediocre ripoffs—Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption. Ten years ago, FromSoftware created a phenomenon that still gives unique experiences and generates hype for new titles (is Elden Ring out? No? What about now?). The Souls Saga went from being “niche” video games to well-known titles in the industry, creating a “culture” in the process—full of memes, elitism, toxicity, difficulty/adaptation discussions and how can we forget: “git gud.” Before we even know how its seventh entry plays, it’s time to sit down and decide which installment is the Dung Pie and which one is the Moonlight Greatsword.
Here are all six games in the Souls Saga ranked, from the very first Demons Souls, all the way to Sekiro, an honorary entry that doesn’t actually hold the name “Souls,” but is soaked in that special FromSoftware Souls style. Each game has its own special charms and pitfalls, stories and gameplay. All of them are good, but which game is really the best?
You Died (A Lot) – Ranking the Souls Saga
While I’ve considered “objective” reasons and arguments for this ranking, this is still a quite personal and subjective selection. The thing is, the Souls Saga is probably my favorite saga of video games since last generation. It’s also the one I put more hours into, too. (I have every platinum —except the one from Sekiro, I still need to come back to it). There’s love and blindness here, and that’s the idea. Of course, you can still leave your rankings in the comment section, just keep it civil! These games mean different things to everyone, and each person may find their preferred order to be just a little bit different. How did yours stack up?
Soul's Saga Gallery
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#6 - Dark Souls II
What a shocker, right? It is no secret that the second installment of the main franchise is usually selected as the worst one by fans and critics alike. The arguments? First of all, it was really easy in comparison to the rest. Some bosses may present a challenge, but there isn’t much reason to tell someone “git gud” here. Speaking of bosses, their designs are rather poor—some are even shallow copies from Dark Souls I—and it harms the overall experience. The world feels completely disjointed and some levels lack the incredible creativity from the original, among other issues. All these problems probably have to do with Mizayaki’s absence as the director of the project. He was already working on Bloodborne.
Nonetheless, Dark Souls II is nowhere near a bad video game. It certainly was better than most of the RPGs coming out in 2014, and it was even better than the original in an important aspect: the controls and mobility of our character were far more precise and responsive. Also, for those interested in the lore, it does have interesting stories and characters—specially everything regarding the Kingdom of Drangleic and King Vendrick. Last but not least, the three DLCs are great additions, presenting breathtaking locations and at least two exquisite bosses.
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#5 - Dark Souls III
If this title was called Dark Souls: Greatest Hits, everybody would have known it was a reference for its third entry. Apart from the logical reason, DS III shows everything the franchise has learned so far—sadly, poison swamps too. It definitely has the best gameplay and feeling of the three, with more clear and easy-to-follow stories and quests, and some incredible bosses (both the regular and DLC’s ones). The rest is up to the player: do you prefer this structured world or the first entry's incredible architecture? This gameplay or Bloodborne’s rage? Being a knight or a shinobi?
Dark Souls III isn’t low in the ranking because it’s bad—again, DS II is quite a good game. The problems comes from the familiarity feeling around it, making it sometimes easier and less surprising when you have been playing these games for years. Nevertheless, the ending of the DS franchise was as good as it could have been, with old and loved characters making their last appearances, and also new and unforgettable moments for the player to live. Farewell, ashen one.
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#4 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
I imagine Miyazaki entering the team’s room and shouting “LET’S GO FULL TENCHU IN THIS ONE.” I have that picture in my mind because, at first glance, Sekiro is a perfect mix of You Died: the Video Game and Rikimaru’s adventures. There are amazing and complex boss fights, harsh paths and locations, sculpture idol’s (bonfires), and the mysterious aura from the former. Also, sweet stealth mechanics, with a good number of tools and special gadgets, and the “being a ninja” feeling from the latter. However, to reduce Sekiro to these features like this would be to understate it. It is so much more.
For starters, the verticality added a lot thanks to the grappling hook. A new variety of strategies against enemies was created, and our protagonist never felt so pleasurable and free to use. Did I write “protagonist?” Yes, for the first time we can’t choose our own face for the character. He already comes with an interesting backstory—this time around, the plot is more focused on him in a direct and intimate way.
None of the above would work without the perfect new combat system. You always sucked at parrying in the previous Souls games? I’m sorry mate, because now it’s a fundamental resource. It will take its sweet time to master your sword, you may even abandon the journey long before its end. But once you get it, you’ll start dancing like those damn Spear Adepts. Few games can give you satisfaction like Sekiro does.
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#3 - Dark Souls
For many fans, the original Dark Souls was their first step in this sadomasochism journey. And it sure was rough: twin gargoyles which threw fire, bizarre “soaps” that cursed you and reduced your HP bar in half, opening a chest and getting eaten by it, the legendary boss fight with freaking Ornstein and Smough… I just named a few of dozens of memorable situations everyone can have in their first playthrough.
For better or worse, Dark Souls changed a part of the industry, popularizing a “genre” that would be followed—with mixed results—by many titles in the future. But let’s not leave its influence there: I’m still astonished by how it has impacted people with depression, how excellent literary works have come from it, and so on. Dark Souls is more than a video game, more than a individual experience: it’s a subculture that has won its place, and we are yet far from seeing its final effects. While we are waiting, let’s praise the sun one more time.
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#2 - Bloodborne
FromSoftware PS4’s exclusive was the main reason I bought the console. That happened two years ago, and, from time to time, I still play this masterpiece. Bloodborne is the culmination of Demons Souls, an experience that surpassed its grandfather in every aspect. Before Sekiro, BB had the most aggressive gameplay in the franchise: it picked the classic control scheme but made it as fast and sharp as it could. There’s something about the speed and brutality of the encounters that will make you come back over and over again. And of course, you’ll die a dozen of times, too. I remember my first time with Father Gascoigne and Vicar Amelia to be extremely hard and demanding. But once I got them, something clicked on my mind and, while never becoming easy, the journey felt incredibly challenging and rewarding.
What else is here to praise? Well, pretty much everything. From marvelous—and terrifying—creatures designs, to a breathtaking ambiance and epic orchestral arrangements. But what really made me fall in love with this experience was the story. Yes, it’s as cryptic as it has always been in the past, but if you are paying attention and reading everything—or just watching VaatiVidya—you will discover a fantastic lore and universe. You are thrown against the horror of the unknown, in the best Lovecraftian way possible. Sooner or later you will feel cosmic entities and wonder how much of what’s going on is real or just a Hunter’s dream.
Last but not least, Bloodborne has the best DLC. Period. The Old Hunters presents THE BEST bosses Miyazaki’s team has ever created. Beware, they hit hard—damn you Ludwig!
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#1 - Demons Souls
Yes, just a few lines above I wrote that Bloodborne took everything Demons established and made it better. I’m not refusing any of that. But then why I still believe, ten years later, that Demons is the best title in the saga? To be honest, it has to do with what people say about love: "The first time you fall in love is the best one and its magical." Of course people are stupid and that phrase is full of crap, but it does apply to my feelings on Demons Souls. There’s nothing like the time I died in the tutorial, with an apparent impossible first boss, or that moment when I finally beat Flamelurker. Or what about that occasion when I killed an NPC I shouldn’t have? And when I was first invaded by a black phantom? All those memories won’t be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Playing Demon’s Souls today after playing any of the other titles on this ranking can be harsh. Not only by its own nice level of difficulty, but how our character’s movement feels rough and limited in comparison. However, for those with patience, one of the best RPG experiences of the current century is waiting for you. It still has amazing and unique enemies, locations, traps, music, characters and of the most interesting mechanics—World & Character Tendency—I’ve seen in a long time. So, select your class, touch your bloodstain every time you die, beware of dragons and phantoms and start collecting those sweet souls. Umbasa.
