What Are the Hardest FromSoftware Games? We Rank All 8 of Them

Tough games are not for the faint of heart, but when you finally complete a certain level, there’s a certain euphoric, satisfying rush that makes you crave more. They force you to learn and improve, get faster with your fingers and strategize as you go. As we celebrate the launch of Elden Ring Nightreign, we ranked the hardest Souls games from fairly manageable to extremely grueling. 

8. Elden Ring

Elden Ring’s massive, complex world provides more freedom in exploration, making it one of the best starter Souls games. There’s a learning curve, and expect you’re going to struggle at first, but it’s easier to navigate and less punitive than others, thanks to its open-world environment. You can explore, find powerful gear, level up and summon spirit ashes to conquer encounters. 

Don’t underestimate this game, though — it has some of the toughest big bosses out there, including Blade of Miquella. It also offers face customization features, allowing you to create your favorite characters from other games. If you’re more interested in exploring the lore than learning how to beat tough bosses, try out the Easy Mode mod.

7. Elden Ring Nightreign

Elden Ring Nightreign, released May 30, 2025, is among the hardest Souls games and a decent bit tougher than its predecessor. The game occurs in a parallel universe to Elden Ring in Limveld, a setting where players will take on the role of figures called Nightfarers. Each Nightfarer has one character skill, a passive ability and an ultimate art. You must choose one from a set of characters, each possessing unique weapons and abilities. Unlike the open world of the original, Nightreign uses a roguelite structure with fast-paced expeditions.

Game director Junya Ishizaki said that the game received tons of helpful feedback regarding difficulty during the initial testing that helped shape the final release, improving map visibility and navigaton. The game doesn’t have bosses that are significantly harder than the ones in the base game, but don’t be surprised when you run into some unforgiving surprises.

The game is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X and Xbox One. The best part is that you won’t need a copy of the Elden Ring to access this immersive adventure, as it’s a stand-alone, multiplayer game.

6. Dark Souls 1

Many gamers will agree that Dark Souls 1 is one of the best games of all time. However, it’s not for everyone. It demands a strategic approach — the clueless, push-any-button technique won’t work in this world. It provides a certain level of challenge, but its slower pace and interconnected world will give you more room for learning, improvement and exploration. It was indeed the hardest FromSoft game of its time — unforgiving and there’s a blatant lack of hand-holding.

Moreover, the difficulty is rooted in a combination of challenging combat and intricate level design despite the fair gameplay. While it can be frustrating for first-time Soul gamers, it’s a deeply rewarding experience that’ll hone their strategic skills.

5. Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2 is still enjoyable despite the public backlash. Many people would say that it’s the easiest in the series, but we think otherwise. The enemies have ridiculous hitboxes, insane tracking and delayed attacks. These are small, probably overlooked aspects that made it different from the base game. The Adaptability stat, which controls iframes and agility, is a point of contention for various players.

If you’re new to the Souls world and are looking for something truly challenging, this could be a good starter. The game’s latest version was unforgiving and a lot harder. It’s the least favorite for most fans, but you can’t deny it’s a challenging one.

4. Demon’s Souls

Demon’s Souls is the OG. It remains one of the hardest FromSoftware games and one of the best action RPGs ever made. Each level has carefully crafted ambushes, traps and surprises that’ll keep you on your toes every time. Keep an eye out for the World Tendency system, which offers a unique and challenging gameplay. It’s a bit forgiving in terms of overall pace and enemy aggression. Play the remake to enjoy modern graphics and cleaner audio.

3. Dark Souls 3

Of the three Dark Souls series, Dark Souls 3 has the hardest bosses. It was released in Japan in March 2016, yet the game features still make it look brand new. Despite the difficulty, it teaches players through trial and error. Each death provides valuable lessons about level design and enemy patterns. Enemies are faster, bosses are unforgiving, and combos are longer, demanding an aggressive playstyle and quicker reflexes. Many enemies have high damage output and are more aggressive.

Aside from the challenging boss encounters, some instances, like the mini-bosses like the Outrider Knight and the dogs in the Cathedral of the Deep, add another level of difficulty, making the entire game challenging for experienced Souls players. 

2. Bloodborne

If you think Dark Souls 3 is aggressive, Bloodborne takes the playstyle requirement up a notch. The faster combat, emphasis on dodging and rally mechanic requires a hyper-aggressive playstyle. The first part is arguably the most challenging because that’s where you learn. The learning curve is tricky, requiring you to spend hours to get through some levels, but it then gets easier for quite some time.

When you are hit, you’re not expected to dodge backwards or sideways. You must lunge forward since you can regain HP by hitting enemies. If you haven’t played this game, we highly suggest heading over to the Bloodborne subreddit to learn more about some tips and tricks.

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is widely known as likely the hardest FromSoftware game ever made. It’s a different beast entirely that requires skills, patience and time — lots of it. It abandons the RPG elements of Dark Souls to give way to a more experiential, action-adventure experience. The combat system revolves around parrying and posture breaking, requiring a deep understanding of enemy attack patterns and precise deflection — truly not for the new players. 

It’s hard but fair. The bosses you beat and the skills you build up throughout the game are necessary to step into the next level. As long as you’re up for a challenge and see failure as a learning opportunity, you’ll enjoy Sekiro.

Try Out the Hardest Souls Games Today

Each title pushes you to the limits, but some may demand more. The newest release, Elden Ring Nightreig,n is challenging, but we’re excited to see how this new game will fare with the public. If you want to explore more Soulslike games outside of the FromSoftware catalog, you can check out the likes of Jedi: Survivor, which requires you to progress your skills or Salt and Sanctuary — a 2D game with stellar mechanics and art style.