The Soulslike genre has come a long way since the release of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. As the genre matured, it brought with it a legacy of challenging gameplay, immersive storytelling, and deeply rewarding experiences. In 2022, Elden Ring took the genre to new heights, developed by FromSoftware and directed by the legendary Hidetaka Miyazaki with creative input from George R.R. Martin.
Many fans naturally compare Elden Ring to the iconic Dark Souls series, given the similarities between the two. However, the question remains: what sets Elden Ring apart and makes it the pinnacle of the Soulslike experience? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll explore the key areas that distinguish Elden Ring from Dark Souls, including gameplay mechanics, world design, combat, and RPG systems.
1. Open World vs. Linear Design
Elden Ring: A Vast and Open Landscape
One of the most significant departures in Elden Ring from the traditional Souls formula is the shift to an open-world structure. Players can explore the sprawling Lands Between, filled with hidden dungeons, roaming enemies, and points of interest. This open-world format allows for organic discovery and exploration at the player’s pace, eliminating the need to follow a fixed path. The addition of Torrent, the player’s spirit steed, also encourages seamless exploration across vast terrains, from lush fields to decaying castles.
Dark Souls: Interconnected but Linear
In contrast, the Dark Souls games feature a semi-linear progression with interconnected zones. Each area in Dark Souls is meticulously designed to connect to others through shortcuts and hidden paths, providing a feeling of a tightly-knit world. However, the progression is more structured, with fewer opportunities for free exploration. In Dark Souls, exploration is rewarding, but it requires following specific paths to unlock new areas.
Verdict: While Dark Souls offers a sense of claustrophobic immersion through its interconnected world, Elden Ring embraces freedom and exploration, making it the ultimate choice for players who prefer open-world gameplay.
2. Combat Depth and Variety
Elden Ring: New Combat Options and Playstyles
Elden Ring builds on the solid foundation of Dark Souls combat but introduces several new mechanics that expand playstyle possibilities. One of the standout additions is the Ashes of War system, which allows players to customize weapon skills, imbuing them with unique abilities. This provides more flexibility and personalization compared to the rigid upgrade paths in Dark Souls.
Moreover, players have access to summoning Spirit Ashes, which can assist in battles. These spirit summons offer strategic depth, as they act like additional party members, distracting enemies or dealing damage in fights. This addition makes combat more approachable without sacrificing the challenge that Souls fans expect.
Dark Souls: A Perfected Combat Loop
Dark Souls is known for its precise, methodical combat that rewards patience and mastery. Each enemy encounter is a test of skill, where learning attack patterns and timing is crucial. While the combat in Dark Souls is more grounded and straightforward, it remains one of the most satisfying systems in gaming history. However, compared to Elden Ring, it offers fewer customization options for weapons and abilities.
Verdict: Both games feature challenging combat, but Elden Ring offers more variety with Ashes of War, Spirit Summons, and new mechanics. This versatility makes it the ultimate evolution of Soulslike combat.
3. Boss Design and Challenge
Elden Ring: Freedom to Choose Boss Encounters
Boss battles are a core element of the Soulslike genre, and Elden Ring doesn’t disappoint. The game features a wide range of bosses, from towering giants to grotesque creatures, each with unique movesets and designs. However, the key difference lies in how players encounter these bosses. In Elden Ring, players have the freedom to engage or avoid certain bosses until they feel prepared, thanks to the open-world structure.
This approach makes the game more accessible. If one boss proves too difficult, players can explore other areas, level up, and return later with a better strategy. Additionally, many optional bosses offer rare rewards, encouraging exploration and experimentation.
Dark Souls: Memorable but Mandatory Boss Fights
In Dark Souls, boss fights serve as progress gates, forcing players to overcome significant challenges to advance. Some of the most iconic bosses in gaming history, such as Ornstein and Smough or Artorias, are found within the series. These encounters are intense, requiring players to learn patterns and react with precision. However, the linear progression means players have limited options if they hit a roadblock with a particular boss.
Verdict: Elden Ring offers more flexibility in how players approach bosses, making it less frustrating while still retaining the challenge. This open-ended design elevates it above Dark Souls in terms of accessibility.
4. RPG Mechanics and Character Customization
Elden Ring: Deep Customization with New Systems
Elden Ring takes RPG mechanics to the next level, offering extensive customization for builds. Along with the traditional attributes like Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, players can now assign Ashes of War to weapons, giving them special skills and affinities. The game also introduces Great Runes, powerful items that grant temporary buffs, adding another layer of strategy.
The freedom to respec characters mid-game ensures that players can experiment with different builds without feeling locked into one playstyle. Additionally, the vast selection of armor, weapons, and spells encourages creativity in character design.
Dark Souls: Streamlined but Restrictive Builds
The Dark Souls series also features deep RPG elements, but it can feel more restrictive. Players must commit to specific builds early in the game, and changing builds later requires considerable effort. While the equipment and spell variety is impressive, the lack of mid-game respec options can discourage experimentation.
Verdict: Elden Ring offers more flexibility and customization, making it the superior choice for players who enjoy fine-tuning their characters and trying different builds throughout the game.
5. Storytelling and Lore
Elden Ring: Collaborative World-Building with George R.R. Martin
One of the unique aspects of Elden Ring is the involvement of George R.R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire. Martin’s influence is evident in the game’s world-building and lore, adding a layer of narrative depth to the Lands Between. While the story remains cryptic, as with other FromSoftware titles, players can uncover fragments of the narrative through exploration, NPC interactions, and item descriptions.
Dark Souls: Subtle Environmental Storytelling
Dark Souls is renowned for its environmental storytelling. The game provides minimal exposition, leaving players to piece together the lore through scattered hints and visual cues. This storytelling approach has become a hallmark of the genre, rewarding players who pay close attention to their surroundings and item descriptions.
Verdict: While both games excel in storytelling, Elden Ring offers a more expansive and collaborative narrative experience, making it feel richer and more engaging.
6. Accessibility and Difficulty
Elden Ring: A Balanced Challenge
FromSoftware games are known for their unforgiving difficulty, but Elden Ring strikes a better balance between challenge and accessibility. The open-world format allows players to level up and explore before facing difficult encounters. Spirit Ashes, cooperative multiplayer, and strategic options make it easier for newcomers to engage with the game without compromising the challenge.
Dark Souls: Brutal but Rewarding
Dark Souls remains a challenging experience that demands patience, skill, and persistence. Its linear design means players must overcome specific challenges to progress, which can be daunting for new players. While the game offers co-op assistance, the overall experience is less forgiving than Elden Ring.
Verdict: Elden Ring provides a more approachable experience, making it the ultimate choice for both veterans and newcomers to the Soulslike genre.
Conclusion: What Makes Elden Ring the Ultimate Soulslike Game?
While Dark Souls laid the foundation for the Soulslike genre and remains a masterpiece in its own right, Elden Ring builds upon these elements and pushes the genre forward. The open-world design, expanded combat mechanics, deeper RPG customization, and accessibility options make Elden Ring the most refined and complete Soulslike experience to date.
For fans of the genre, Elden Ring offers everything they love about Dark Souls and more—freedom, variety, and an expansive world to explore. Whether you are a seasoned Souls veteran or new to the genre, Elden Ring delivers a thrilling adventure that cements it as the ultimate evolution of the Soulslike formula.