Elden Ring Vs Dark Souls Which One Is Actually Accessible For Beginners

For over a decade, FromSoftware has defined the \"Soulslike\" genre with its punishing combat, cryptic storytelling, and environments that demand patience and precision. The debate between Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series—particularly the first entry—is not just nostalgic; it’s practical. New players often ask: where should I start? While both games share DNA, their approach to accessibility differs in ways that can make or break a newcomer’s experience.

The myth persists that all FromSoftware games are impossibly hard. In reality, these titles reward observation, pattern recognition, and incremental improvement. But subtle design shifts between Dark Souls (2011) and Elden Ring (2022) have reshaped how welcoming they are to beginners. Understanding those differences isn’t about declaring one game “easier”—it’s about matching player preferences, learning styles, and tolerance for ambiguity with the right entry point.

Design Philosophy: Linearity vs. Freedom

Dark Souls follows a tightly curated path. Though open in spirit, progression is gated by specific boss victories and key items. The world feels interconnected, but exploration is constrained by invisible walls and locked doors. This structure, while occasionally frustrating, provides a sense of direction. New players aren’t overwhelmed by choice because the game gently funnels them forward—even when that path leads straight into danger.

In contrast, Elden Ring drops players into a vast open world with minimal guidance. After the tutorial area, the entire Lands Between unfurls. You can ride your spectral steed, Torrent, toward any distant landmark. This freedom is exhilarating but disorienting. There’s no enforced order. You might stumble upon a late-game boss minutes after leaving the starting zone. Or you could spend hours exploring optional caves and forget the main quest entirely.

Tip: If you're new to Soulslikes, resist the urge to chase every mountain peak in Elden Ring. Stick to the main path through Limgrave and lead into Liurnia—it’s designed as a natural progression curve.

This difference in structure reflects a broader shift in game design philosophy. Dark Souls assumes you’ll learn through repetition and consequence. It teaches by letting you fail repeatedly in confined spaces. Elden Ring, benefiting from over a decade of genre evolution, assumes players want agency. It offers escape routes, alternatives, and the ability to retreat and return stronger—a mercy absent in earlier titles.

Combat and Mechanics: Punishment vs. Flexibility

At their core, both games rely on stamina management, timing, and environmental awareness. However, Elden Ring introduces several quality-of-life improvements that lower the barrier to entry.

• Dismountable Stealth: Players can perform stealth attacks from horseback or behind cover, allowing cautious players to thin enemy groups before engaging.
• Spirit Ashes: Summons AI companions that distract enemies or draw aggro—something not possible in the original Dark Souls.
• Jump Attacks: Available from the start, jump attacks bypass shields and are effective against larger foes, giving newcomers a reliable tool against stubborn enemies.
• More Forgiving Healing: Estus flasks regenerate mid-combat, and there are more healing options (like herbs and cooked meals) than in Dark Souls.

Dark Souls, by comparison, offers fewer mechanical crutches. No summoning allies during regular play (aside from rare NPC invasions), no jump attacks until later builds, and limited healing customization. Death carries heavier consequences: losing humanity affects appearance and multiplayer functionality, not just souls (currency). These systems create a starker, more oppressive tone—one that some veterans praise for its purity, but which can alienate beginners.

“Elden Ring didn’t dumb down the challenge—it redistributed it. The difficulty is now optional in ways we couldn’t imagine in 2011.” — Mark Johnson, Game Design Analyst at NextGen Play

Learning Curve and Onboarding Experience

One of the most critical factors for beginners is how well a game teaches its mechanics without hand-holding. Dark Souls infamously relies on environmental storytelling and vague item descriptions. Terms like “bleed buildup” or “poise” aren’t explained in-game. New players must either experiment painfully or consult external guides to understand core systems.

Elden Ring improves this significantly. While still cryptic by mainstream standards, it includes:

• Better tooltip explanations for status effects and weapon scaling.
• A more intuitive skill tree (character build) layout via the menu system.
• Early access to fast travel, reducing backtracking frustration.
• Tutorial pop-ups for key mechanics like guard counters and flasks of crimson tears.

Moreover, Elden Ring allows players to respec their character multiple times using rare items found in the world. In Dark Souls, respeccing requires New Game+ cycles or specific covenants, locking beginners into suboptimal builds for much longer.

Mini Case Study: Alex’s First Souls Experience

Alex, a casual gamer with no prior experience in action RPGs, decided to try Dark Souls Remastered after hearing about its legendary status. Within two hours, he was stuck at the Asylum Demon boss. He didn’t understand parrying, couldn’t manage his stamina, and kept dying to low-level enemies due to poor equipment choices. Frustrated, he quit after a week.

Months later, he tried Elden Ring. This time, he used Spirit Ashes to summon wolves, avoided the early bosses he wasn’t ready for, and gradually learned mechanics through trial and YouTube videos. He completed the game in 50 hours, calling it “the most rewarding thing I’ve ever finished in gaming.”

The difference wasn’t effort—it was accessibility. Elden Ring allowed him to engage with the game on his terms.

Comparative Breakdown: Key Differences for Beginners

Feature	Dark Souls	Elden Ring
World Structure	Interconnected but linear progression	Fully open world with non-linear paths
Fast Travel	Unlocked late (after defeating Gwyn)	Available early (after tutorial)
Companions	Limited NPC summons; mostly PvP-focused	Spirit Ashes allow AI allies anytime
Respec Mechanic	Requires NG+ or rare NPCs	Available via Madman’s Shield & Larval Tears
Stealth & Jump Attacks	Minimal stealth; jump attacks late-game	Full stealth roll; jump attacks from start
Tutorial Clarity	Nearly nonexistent; learn by dying	Contextual hints and tooltips provided
Pacing Control	Must face certain challenges in order	Can skip or delay most major bosses

This table highlights why Elden Ring is structurally more forgiving. It doesn’t remove challenge—it redistributes it so players can choose when and how to face it.

Actionable Tips for Beginners

Tip: In Elden Ring, use the Map Fragments mod or in-game landmarks to avoid getting lost. Naming your markers (e.g., “Graveyard Site of Grace”) helps track progress.

Tip: In Dark Souls, upgrade your Estus Flask early by defeating the Capra Demon and obtaining the Bottomless Box. It makes survival far more manageable.

Beginner’s Checklist: How to Survive Your First Souls Game

1. Don’t rush. Take time to observe enemy patterns before attacking.
2. Use a shield early. Blocking reduces risk while you learn timing.
3. Upgrade your weapon at the blacksmith. Even +1 damage makes a difference.
4. Explore side areas. They often contain useful items, spells, or easier XP sources.
5. Join a covenant (in Dark Souls). Warriors of Sunlight or Princess Guard offer helpful summons.
6. Summon help in tough fights (Elden Ring). Look for golden summon signs near boss fog gates.
7. Watch death animations. They reveal what killed you—critical for avoiding repeat mistakes.

When Dark Souls Might Be Better for You

Despite Elden Ring’s advantages, Dark Souls isn’t obsolete for beginners. Some players thrive under its stricter rules. The tighter level design means less chance of getting hopelessly lost. The lack of distractions keeps focus on core mechanics. And because progression is more predictable, players who dislike open-world bloat may find Dark Souls more satisfying.

Additionally, the community around Dark Souls is mature. Guides, speedrun strategies, and lore analyses are abundant. For learners who prefer structured support, jumping into a well-documented game can be reassuring.

However, this only applies if you’re prepared for its harsher systems. Dying in Dark Souls means returning to your corpse—a tense journey that can end in another death. Lose your humanity, and you can’t summon help until you rekindle. These mechanics add tension, but also stress.

FAQ: Common Questions from New Players

Is Elden Ring easier than Dark Souls?

Not necessarily easier, but more accessible. Elden Ring gives players tools to avoid or mitigate difficulty—like summoning allies, retreating, or skipping bosses. Dark Souls forces confrontation. So while individual fights might be harder in Elden Ring, the overall experience is less punishing due to flexibility.

Can I beat Dark Souls as my first Souls game?

Yes, but expect a steeper climb. Many players have done it, especially with online guides. Success depends on patience and willingness to fail repeatedly. If you enjoy tight, focused design and don’t mind limited freedom, it’s a viable starting point.

Does Elden Ring hold your hand too much?

It depends on your view of guidance. Elden Ring doesn’t mark objectives on the map, nor does it give step-by-step quests. But it offers mechanical aids (Spirit Ashes, jump attacks, fast travel) that reduce friction. It’s not hand-holding—it’s empowerment. Veterans can disable summons or avoid upgrades for self-imposed challenges.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Start With?

If your goal is to finish a FromSoftware game and appreciate its depth without burning out, Elden Ring is the better choice for beginners. Its open-ended design, modernized mechanics, and flexible difficulty allow new players to adapt at their own pace. You can tackle challenges in order of comfort, retreat when overwhelmed, and return stronger—something unthinkable in the rigid architecture of Dark Souls.

That said, Dark Souls remains a masterpiece of environmental design and atmospheric storytelling. If you value tight pacing, deliberate progression, and a sense of isolation, it’s worth experiencing—just go in prepared. Use a guide, join a helpful covenant, and accept that death is part of the curriculum.

Ultimately, neither game is “better” in absolute terms. But for someone stepping into the genre for the first time, Elden Ring lowers the barriers without sacrificing the soul of what makes these games special: triumph earned through persistence.

“The real victory in a Souls game isn’t beating the final boss—it’s realizing you’ve grown capable enough to stand against gods.” — Hidetaka Miyazaki, Creator of Dark Souls and Elden Ring

Take the Leap—Your Journey Starts Now

You don’t need to be an expert to begin. You just need curiosity and the willingness to get back up after every fall. Whether you choose the ancient corridors of Lordran or the sprawling ruins of the Lands Between, the journey will test you—but it will also transform you. Pick the game that aligns with your playstyle, arm yourself with patience, and take that first step. The bonfire awaits.

💬 Which game did you start with? Did you finish it? Share your story in the comments—your experience could inspire the next adventurer.