Should You Drop Elden Ring For Dark Souls 1, 3, And 2? A Soulslike Journey
Are you finding yourself at a crossroads in your FromSoftware adventure? Have you conquered the Lands Between in Elden Ring, tasted the sweet victory, and now feel a subtle emptiness? The vast open world, the intricate lore, and the challenging combat might have left you wanting something… different. Perhaps a return to the roots, a more linear experience, or a deeper dive into the lore that paved the way for Elden Ring's grandeur. If this resonates with you, the thought of dropping Elden Ring for the original Dark Souls trilogy – Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 3, and maybe even Dark Souls 2 – might be the perfect next step in your Soulslike journey.
Why Consider Returning to the Dark Souls Trilogy?
The Dark Souls trilogy holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. These games, known for their challenging gameplay, intricate world design, and cryptic lore, have captivated players for over a decade. While Elden Ring undoubtedly builds upon the foundation laid by Dark Souls, it also diverges in several key aspects. Understanding these differences is crucial in deciding whether a return to Lordran and its successor kingdoms is the right move for you.
One of the most significant distinctions lies in the world design. Elden Ring boasts a massive open world, encouraging exploration and player freedom. This is a departure from the interconnected, labyrinthine levels of the Dark Souls games. While Elden Ring's open world is undeniably impressive, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, with vast stretches of empty space and a sense of directionlessness. In contrast, the Dark Souls games offer a more curated experience, with meticulously crafted levels that intertwine and loop back on themselves. This intricate level design creates a sense of claustrophobia and danger, but also a sense of accomplishment as you navigate its treacherous paths.
The combat in Dark Souls is another area where it differs subtly from Elden Ring. While both share the core mechanics of stamina management, strategic dodging, and punishing enemy encounters, Dark Souls emphasizes a slower, more methodical approach. Elden Ring, with its inclusion of jumping attacks, weapon arts, and a greater variety of enemy types, encourages a more aggressive and versatile playstyle. If you find yourself missing the deliberate, weighty combat of the original Dark Souls, a return to the trilogy might be a refreshing change of pace. The precise movements and deliberate attacks required in Dark Souls can be a welcome contrast to the more frenetic action of Elden Ring.
Furthermore, the lore and narrative presentation differ significantly. Elden Ring's story, while rich and intriguing, is often delivered through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and brief cutscenes. The Dark Souls games, particularly Dark Souls 1, excel in creating a sense of mystery and ambiguity. The narrative unfolds gradually, pieced together through conversations with cryptic NPCs, exploration of the world, and careful observation of the environment. This understated storytelling allows players to interpret events and characters in their own way, fostering a deeper connection to the world and its lore. The obscure narrative of Dark Souls can be both frustrating and rewarding, challenging players to become active participants in unraveling the mysteries of the world.
Dark Souls 1: The Genesis of a Legend
Dark Souls 1, often hailed as a masterpiece of game design, is the cornerstone of the series. Its interconnected world, challenging gameplay, and enigmatic lore have cemented its place as one of the greatest games of all time. Returning to Dark Souls 1 after Elden Ring offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the roots of the Soulslike genre and to experience the game that started it all. The tightly knit world of Dark Souls 1 is a masterclass in level design.
From the Firelink Shrine, the central hub of the game, players can venture in multiple directions, each leading to a distinct and challenging area. These areas are not simply linear paths; they are interconnected in intricate ways, with shortcuts and secret passages that reward exploration. This interconnectedness creates a sense of cohesion and believability, making the world feel like a real place. The level design also plays a crucial role in the game's difficulty. Enemies are strategically placed to ambush unsuspecting players, and the environments themselves pose a threat, with perilous drops, narrow corridors, and hidden traps. Navigating this world is a challenge in itself, requiring patience, careful observation, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
The combat in Dark Souls 1 is deliberate and unforgiving. Every action, from attacking to dodging to healing, consumes stamina, and running out of stamina can leave you vulnerable to enemy attacks. This emphasis on stamina management forces players to be strategic in their actions, choosing their attacks carefully and timing their dodges precisely. The enemies in Dark Souls 1 are also formidable, each with its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses. Learning these patterns is crucial to survival, as is understanding the importance of spacing and positioning. The combat in Dark Souls 1 is not about mindless button-mashing; it is a dance of death, requiring patience, precision, and a willingness to learn from each encounter.
Beyond the gameplay, Dark Souls 1's lore is a major draw for many players. The game's story is not explicitly told; instead, it is pieced together through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and conversations with NPCs. This understated approach to storytelling creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity, encouraging players to interpret events and characters in their own way. The world of Dark Souls 1 is steeped in history and mythology, with a rich tapestry of characters, events, and locations that can be uncovered through careful exploration and observation. This obscure storytelling adds depth and intrigue to the game, making it a truly immersive experience.
Dark Souls 3: A Polished and Action-Packed Climax
Dark Souls 3, the final installment in the trilogy, represents a culmination of the series' strengths. It refines the gameplay mechanics, expands the lore, and delivers a more polished and action-packed experience than its predecessors. If you enjoyed the faster-paced combat of Elden Ring, Dark Souls 3 might be a more natural transition than Dark Souls 1. It is a masterful blend of the series' core elements.
Dark Souls 3's combat is arguably the most refined in the series. It retains the strategic depth and stamina management of the previous games but adds new elements such as weapon arts, which provide unique offensive and defensive options. These weapon arts add a new layer of complexity to the combat, allowing players to customize their playstyle and experiment with different weapons and strategies. The enemy encounters in Dark Souls 3 are also more challenging and varied than in previous games, with a greater emphasis on fast-paced action and aggressive enemy behavior. This makes the combat feel more dynamic and engaging, requiring players to be constantly on their toes and adapt to new situations. The fast-paced combat of Dark Souls 3 is a key difference from the slower, more deliberate style of Dark Souls 1.
The level design in Dark Souls 3 is a blend of the interconnectedness of Dark Souls 1 and the more linear structure of Dark Souls 2. The world is divided into distinct areas, each with its own unique atmosphere and challenges. These areas are interconnected in various ways, with shortcuts and hidden paths that reward exploration. However, the overall structure of the game is more linear than Dark Souls 1, making it easier to navigate and progress through the story. This balance between interconnectedness and linearity makes Dark Souls 3 a more accessible game for newcomers to the series while still offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Dark Souls 3's lore is also a major highlight. The game draws upon the lore of the previous games, expanding upon existing characters and events while introducing new mysteries and plotlines. The story of Dark Souls 3 is more explicitly told than in previous games, with more cutscenes and dialogue sequences that reveal important information about the world and its inhabitants. However, the game still retains the series' signature ambiguity and understated storytelling, leaving plenty of room for interpretation and speculation. The expansive lore of Dark Souls 3 provides a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy's overarching narrative.
Dark Souls 2: The Divisive Middle Child
Dark Souls 2 is often considered the black sheep of the Dark Souls family. While it shares the core gameplay mechanics and challenging difficulty of its predecessors, it also introduces several changes that have proven divisive among fans. Despite its flaws, Dark Souls 2 offers a unique experience that is worth considering, especially if you are a completionist looking to fully immerse yourself in the Dark Souls universe. Dark Souls 2 stands alone with its unique mechanics and world.
One of the most significant changes in Dark Souls 2 is the world design. Unlike the interconnected world of Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 2 features a more fragmented and linear structure. The areas in Dark Souls 2 are connected by a central hub, Majula, and players travel to these areas via a warp system. This structure makes the world feel less cohesive and interconnected than in Dark Souls 1, and some players find it less immersive. However, the individual areas in Dark Souls 2 are often large and sprawling, with plenty of secrets and hidden paths to discover. This encourages exploration and rewards players who are willing to venture off the beaten path. The level design in Dark Souls 2 is also notable for its variety, with areas ranging from towering castles to murky swamps to volcanic wastelands. The varied environments of Dark Souls 2 offer a fresh perspective on the series' world design.
The combat in Dark Souls 2 also differs from the other games in the series in several key aspects. One of the most controversial changes is the introduction of Adaptability, a stat that governs the player's agility and ability to perform actions such as dodging and using items. Players with low Adaptability will find themselves struggling to avoid enemy attacks and heal effectively, making the game significantly more difficult. This mechanic has been criticized for being unintuitive and punishing new players. However, some players appreciate the added layer of complexity and challenge that Adaptability provides. The Adaptability stat is a unique feature of Dark Souls 2's combat system.
Dark Souls 2's lore is also distinct from the other games in the series. While it shares some connections to the world and events of Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 2 tells its own story with its own characters and plotlines. The story of Dark Souls 2 is more focused on the theme of cycles and the futility of resisting fate. The game explores the idea that history repeats itself, and that even the most heroic efforts are ultimately doomed to fail. This bleak and pessimistic outlook is a departure from the more hopeful tone of the other games in the series. The cyclical themes in Dark Souls 2's lore add a unique philosophical dimension to the series.
Making the Decision: Should You Drop Elden Ring?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to drop Elden Ring for the Dark Souls trilogy is a personal one. There's no right or wrong answer. If you are feeling burnt out by Elden Ring's open world and want a more focused experience, the Dark Souls games might be a welcome change of pace. If you are interested in exploring the lore and origins of the Soulslike genre, the Dark Souls trilogy is an essential experience. And if you simply enjoy challenging gameplay and rewarding exploration, the Dark Souls games offer plenty of both.
Consider what aspects of Elden Ring you enjoyed most. Did you love the open-world exploration, the diverse combat options, or the intricate lore? If you enjoyed the open world, you might find Dark Souls 1's interconnected world to be a satisfying alternative. If you preferred the fast-paced combat of Elden Ring, Dark Souls 3 might be a better fit. And if you were captivated by the lore, all three Dark Souls games offer rich and compelling narratives to explore. Your personal preferences should guide your decision.
No matter your decision, the world of Soulslike games offers a wealth of experiences to discover. Whether you choose to delve deeper into the Dark Souls trilogy or continue your journey in the Lands Between, you are sure to find challenges, rewards, and a sense of accomplishment that few other games can match. The Soulslike genre is a testament to the power of challenging and rewarding gameplay.
So, should you drop Elden Ring? Perhaps not entirely, but a journey back to the Dark Souls trilogy might just reignite your passion for the genre and provide a fresh perspective on the games that paved the way for Elden Ring's success.
