Elden Ring Vs Dark Souls Difficulty Which Game Is More Welcoming To Beginners

For over a decade, FromSoftware has defined a genre with its challenging action RPGs—games that demand patience, precision, and persistence. Among them, the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring stand as pillars of modern gaming excellence. Both titles are renowned for their punishing combat, cryptic storytelling, and environments that reward exploration. But when it comes to newcomers, one question persists: which game offers a gentler on-ramp?

The debate isn't just about raw difficulty—it's about accessibility, design philosophy, and how each title introduces players to its world. While both games share DNA, they diverge significantly in structure, pacing, and player agency. Understanding these differences reveals which experience might be more forgiving—and ultimately more enjoyable—for someone stepping into this universe for the first time.

Design Philosophy: Linearity vs Open World Freedom

Dark Souls, particularly the original 2011 release, follows a tightly curated, semi-linear path. Each area connects deliberately, funneling players through escalating challenges. The game assumes minimal prior knowledge but teaches through trial, error, and observation. There’s no hand-holding, but progression feels guided. Landmarks like Firelink Shrine serve as consistent anchors, offering respite and fast travel between major zones.

In contrast, Elden Ring throws players into an expansive open world almost immediately. After a brief introductory sequence, the Lands Between stretch endlessly in every direction. This freedom is liberating—but also overwhelming. New players often find themselves wandering into areas far beyond their level, facing enemies that can kill them in two hits. However, this same openness allows for avoidance. If a boss or enemy proves too difficult, you can simply ride away and explore elsewhere.

This distinction shapes the beginner experience profoundly. Dark Souls forces confrontation; if you're stuck, you must overcome the obstacle ahead. Elden Ring permits evasion, letting players build strength and confidence at their own pace. For many beginners, this flexibility reduces frustration and fosters a sense of autonomy.

Tip: In Elden Ring, use the map and grace sites to identify nearby safe zones. If combat feels impossible, disengage and return later—progression isn’t blocked by a single challenge.

Combat Mechanics and Learning Curve

At their core, both games rely on deliberate, timing-based combat. Stamina management, blocking, parrying, dodging, and positioning are essential. However, the way these systems are introduced differs.

Dark Souls begins with sparse resources. Your starting weapon deals minimal damage, healing items (Estus Flasks) are limited, and magic users face steep stat requirements. Early deaths are frequent, and checkpoints (bonfires) are spaced far apart. This creates a steep initial climb. Every mistake carries weight, and momentum is easily lost. The game rewards mastery, but early progress can feel grueling.

Elden Ring softens this curve. Spirit Ashes—summonable AI allies—can assist in tough fights, effectively giving solo players temporary multiplayer support. The Flask of Wondrous Physick scales with stats and can be customized with various buffs, offering greater flexibility than the rigid Estus system. Additionally, mounts (Spirit Steeds) allow quick escapes and dynamic repositioning during combat, reducing the penalty for missteps.

These quality-of-life improvements don’t make Elden Ring easier per se, but they provide tools that mitigate early-game fragility. Beginners aren’t left entirely defenseless when overwhelmed.

“Elden Ring retains the soul of our previous titles but gives players more ways to shape their journey. That includes choosing when—and how—to face adversity.” — Hidetaka Miyazaki, Game Director, FromSoftware

Difficulty Comparison Table

Metric	Dark Souls	Elden Ring
Early Game Accessibility	Low – limited healing, weak gear	Medium – customizable flasks, Spirit Ashes
World Navigation	Guided, linear progression	Open-ended, self-directed
Checkpoints	Bonfires spaced far apart	Grace sites frequent and widely distributed
Escape Options	Limited – backtracking under pressure	High – mounted retreats, fast traversal
Learning Support	Minimal – learn through failure	Moderate – NPCs offer clearer hints
Punishment for Death	Retrace steps to recover souls	Souls remain on body; easier recovery

A Beginner’s Journey: Real Example

Consider Alex, a first-time player of either series. With Dark Souls, Alex starts in the Northern Undead Asylum. Trapped in a claustrophobic dungeon with aggressive enemies and narrow corridors, the first hour is disorienting. After multiple deaths to a single hollow with a club, Alex nearly quits. There’s no clear objective, no map, and no way to skip ahead. Progress hinges on mastering basic mechanics under duress.

Now imagine Alex playing Elden Ring. After escaping the Stranded Graveyard, they emerge onto a vast cliffside. Instead of being funneled into danger, they spot a distant castle, a glowing ruin, and a cave entrance. Curious, they approach the cave—only to be obliterated by a giant scorpion. Rather than feeling trapped, Alex rides off toward a nearby church, speaks to an NPC, and accepts a simple quest. They defeat a few weaker enemies, gain levels, and return to the scorpion with better gear and confidence. The setback wasn’t a dead end—it was a detour.

This scenario illustrates a key difference: Elden Ring allows players to choose their point of struggle. Failure doesn’t halt progress; it redirects it. For beginners, this psychological buffer makes a significant difference in retention and enjoyment.

Step-by-Step Guide: Starting Strong in Either Game

Whether you begin with Dark Souls or Elden Ring, certain strategies improve early success rates. Follow this timeline to build momentum without burning out:

1. Choose the Right Starting Class: Opt for Warrior or Bandit in Dark Souls; in Elden Ring, consider the Hero or Astrologer. These classes balance offense and survivability.
2. Master Basic Movement: Spend time practicing rolls, backsteps, and invincibility frames. Understand stamina decay and recovery.
3. Explore Thoroughly Before Advancing: In both games, hidden items, shortcuts, and NPC quests are easy to miss. Take your time in early zones.
4. Use All Available Resources: Summon spirits in Elden Ring; link up with online features (messages, bloodstains) in both titles to gain insights from other players.
5. Don’t Chase Bosses: If a fight feels impossible, leave. In Elden Ring, grind slightly higher-level areas or complete side dungeons. In Dark Souls, ensure you’ve found all nearby bonfires and upgrades.
6. Upgrade Wisely: Prioritize health (Vitality) and your primary stat (Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence). Avoid spreading points too thin early on.
7. Embrace Death as Feedback: Each loss should teach something—enemy patterns, attack range, or environmental hazards.

Tips for Reducing Frustration

• Play in short sessions. Fatigue leads to mistakes.
• Take breaks after repeated failures. Return with fresh focus.
• Watch boss patterns before engaging. Many attacks are telegraphed.
• Use consumables strategically—throwing firebombs or using poison arrows can shift odds.
• Join co-op if available. Even observing another player can reveal tactics.

Tip: In Elden Ring, equip the “Stonesword Key” early to access hidden dungeons with valuable runes and gear. These optional areas often provide critical power spikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dark Souls harder than Elden Ring?

Objectively, some Dark Souls encounters—like the Pinwheel or Ornstein & Smough—are mechanically stricter than most in Elden Ring. However, Elden Ring’s open design gives players more control over when and how they face challenges. Subjectively, many beginners find Dark Souls more intimidating due to its oppressive atmosphere and lack of escape routes.

Can I beat Elden Ring as a total beginner?

Yes. While challenging, Elden Ring is designed with accessibility in mind. Spirit Ashes, flexible builds, and non-linear progression allow new players to adapt. Thousands of first-time players have completed it without prior experience in the genre.

Which should I play first?

If you value structure and a focused narrative, start with Dark Souls. If you prefer freedom, exploration, and a gentler introduction to the mechanics, begin with Elden Ring. Many veterans recommend Elden Ring as the ideal entry point to the Soulsborne family.

Final Verdict: Which Is More Beginner-Friendly?

The answer lies not in raw difficulty, but in design empathy. Dark Souls is uncompromising—a masterpiece of intentional harshness that respects the player’s ability to learn through suffering. It assumes you will fail, and that failure is part of the curriculum. But for a newcomer, that rigor can feel alienating.

Elden Ring, while still demanding, extends a hand. It says: “You will die, but you won’t be trapped. You may lose, but you can always ride away and try again somewhere else.” Its open world, quality-of-life features, and abundance of optional content create a safety net that Dark Souls lacks. It doesn’t lower the bar—it just gives you more ways to reach it.

For these reasons, Elden Ring is the more welcoming game for beginners. It preserves the depth and intensity that define FromSoftware’s legacy while reducing unnecessary friction. It’s not easier in every way, but it is kinder in its pacing, more forgiving in its structure, and more respectful of individual learning curves.

“The goal isn’t to make games easier, but to make them more approachable. Players should feel challenged, not excluded.” — Hidetaka Miyazaki, in a 2022 interview with Famitsu

Conclusion: Take the First Step

Whether you choose Dark Souls or Elden Ring, you’re embarking on a journey defined by resilience, discovery, and quiet triumph. One isn’t inherently better than the other—they offer different flavors of the same rewarding experience. But for those standing at the threshold, unsure where to begin, Elden Ring offers a wider door.

Start there. Learn the rhythm of combat. Feel the thrill of overcoming a boss that once seemed unbeatable. Let the world guide you, not trap you. And when you finally raise the Tarnished to their throne, you’ll understand why these games endure—not because they’re hard, but because they make you stronger.

🚀 Ready to begin your journey? Pick up Elden Ring for a balanced challenge, or dive into Dark Souls for a purist test. Share your first victory in the comments—no matter how small, it matters.