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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFor most newcomers, start with Elden Ring if you want a wide-open world, room to explore at your own pace, and several ways to change your approach when a fight stalls. Choose Dark Souls III if you prefer a more directed journey through connected locations or want to begin with the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series. Neither choice is a universal “easier” first game: the right fit depends on how you want to make progress.
At a glance: choose the kind of journey you want
| What matters most to you | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring a broad world and deciding where to go next | Elden Ring | Bandai Namco describes it as an open-world action RPG set across the Lands Between, with exploration on foot or on Torrent. Bandai Namco’s launch announcement explains those exploration options. |
| Moving through a connected set of locations along a more directed route | Dark Souls III | Its official description emphasizes a variety of locations in an interconnected world. Bandai Namco’s Dark Souls III page does not describe the game as wholly linear. |
| Trying different tactics when you get stuck | Elden Ring | Weapon skills, experimentation with play styles, and spirit summons offer different approaches to tougher encounters. They are options, not a guarantee that the game will feel easy. |
| Starting with the concluding chapter of a named trilogy | Dark Souls III | Bandai Namco calls it the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series. That is useful context, but the official page does not establish that newcomers must play earlier games first. |
Both games are action RPGs built around challenging combat, and both include online features. The official descriptions establish their structures and options, not a reliable ranking of difficulty, quality, campaign length, boss design, or current online activity. Treat this as a choice between styles of progression rather than a verdict that one game is objectively better.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $73.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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How their worlds guide your progress
Elden Ring: explore, then choose where to press on
Elden Ring is explicitly presented as open world. Its setting, the Lands Between, invites exploration, and the launch announcement describes travelling on foot or riding Torrent. In practical terms, that structure suits someone who likes to make discoveries and decide when to pursue a particular direction rather than follow one consistently guided route. Bandai Namco’s February 25, 2022 announcement describes the open-world setting and exploration.
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#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
Dark Souls III: connected locations, a more directed journey
Dark Souls III offers a variety of locations within an interconnected world. That is different from describing it as a simple straight corridor: the publisher’s wording points to connected areas, while the overall journey is a more directed alternative to Elden Ring’s open-world framing. If you enjoy learning how locations relate to one another and prefer a clearer sense of forward movement, that structure may feel more appealing.
Bandai Namco describes Dark Souls III as a challenging action RPG with sword-and-sorcery combat and room for players to develop a personal play style. The official game page supports those broad characterizations, but it does not provide a basis for saying its route is always easier to follow or its combat is always harder than Elden Ring’s.
What to do when combat stops you
Elden Ring offers several kinds of adjustment
For a newcomer, the most useful distinction is not “easy versus hard,” but how many kinds of adjustment you want to try. Bandai Namco’s launch announcement says players can experiment with disciplines and play styles, equip weapon skills, and summon spirits against tougher foes. Those are distinct options: change how you fight, use a weapon’s skill, or bring in a spirit ally. The launch announcement describes these combat and summoning features.
These tools may give a stuck player alternatives to repeating one approach. They do not prove that all encounters can be solved the same way, that a particular build is best, or that the entire game is easier. If flexibility itself sounds motivating, Elden Ring is the clearer recommendation. If you would rather focus on learning sword-and-sorcery combat in a connected-world adventure, Dark Souls III remains a strong fit.
Dark Souls III emphasizes combat and personal play style
The official Dark Souls III page highlights sword-and-sorcery combat and says online interactions are integrated with single-player play. It does not describe a spirit-summoning system comparable to the one advertised for Elden Ring, so do not buy it expecting that specific option. At the same time, the page’s mention of personal play style does not mean there is only one way to approach combat.
Neither publisher description settles which game an individual will find more demanding. Your preferred route through a world, willingness to explore alternatives, and interest in experimenting with combat options are more grounded decision points than a blanket difficulty ranking.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
Does Dark Souls III require playing the earlier games?
Dark Souls III is identified by Bandai Namco as the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series. That makes its trilogy position a reason to choose it if you care about approaching that series, but the official information here does not say that playing earlier entries is a requirement. A newcomer can choose it for its connected-world structure and combat without treating prior games as a prerequisite established by the publisher.
Elden Ring, by contrast, is presented as its own action-RPG world, created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin. If you want a fresh setting rather than a game explicitly framed as the latest chapter of a named series, that distinction may make Elden Ring the more natural first pick. Bandai Namco’s release announcement introduces the setting and its creators.
Online play: both have it, but the details differ
Online features are available in both games, but the official descriptions frame them differently. Bandai Namco’s launch announcement for Elden Ring describes cooperative and competitive multiplayer, while the current official game page lists online play and capacities of up to three players, with up to six in Arenas. Those listings are useful if playing with or against others matters to your decision, but they are not a promise about matchmaking conditions or how active online play is at a given time.
The Dark Souls III page says online interactions are integrated with single-player play. That is a reason to know online elements exist, not a reason to assume that they work exactly like Elden Ring’s co-op, competitive modes, or spirit summons. If you are choosing mainly for solo play, the more useful distinction remains the worlds and combat options described above. If online play is central, check the current platform listing and mode information for the version you intend to buy.
Platforms, editions, and expansions to check before buying
Platform availability differs, and the current official listings include a later addition to Elden Ring’s original launch platforms. Check the store listing for your country and the exact edition before purchase; the publisher’s pages may not settle every regional listing or edition detail.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Game | Platforms listed by Bandai Namco | Expansion or edition details stated by the publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The original release on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam was February 25, 2022; Bandai Namco announced Tarnished Edition for Switch 2 on August 28, 2026. | Shadow of the Erdtree requires the base game. The official page identifies Shadow of the Erdtree Edition as including the base game and expansion; the Switch 2 Tarnished Edition bundles the base game and expansion with additional content. The August 28, 2026 announcement also says new Tarnished Pack content was available for purchase on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. |
| Dark Souls III | PS4, Xbox One, and PC. | The publisher lists Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City DLC, and notes a Fire Fades edition. Ashes of Ariandel adds areas, bosses, enemies, weapons, armor, and spells; Bandai Namco calls The Ringed City the final DLC pack. |
For Elden Ring’s original launch date and platforms, see Bandai Namco’s February 25, 2022 announcement. The current Elden Ring page lists Switch 2 alongside the other platforms and identifies the expansion and edition details. The publisher’s August 28, 2026 Tarnished Edition announcement supplies the Switch 2 availability date and Tarnished Pack note. For Dark Souls III platforms and DLC, consult its official page.
Use the platform list as a purchase filter
- If you are choosing Elden Ring for Nintendo Switch 2, the publisher announced Tarnished Edition availability on August 28, 2026. Its page says that edition includes the base game and expansion, along with additional content.
- If you want Shadow of the Erdtree, make sure the base game is included in the edition you select or that you already own it: the expansion requires the base game.
- If you are choosing Dark Souls III, the official page lists PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Confirm that the store listing for your region offers the platform and edition you intend to buy.
- DLC and bundled editions are optional purchase choices, not evidence that a newcomer must buy extra content to begin either game.
There is no single price comparison to rely on here: prices can depend on platform, region, edition, sale, and whether downloadable content is bundled. Check what the current store listing includes rather than assuming that a base-game listing, complete edition, or expansion bundle costs the same across platforms. In particular, Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion that requires the Elden Ring base game; a listing for the expansion alone is not the base game.
Dark Souls III’s two named DLC packs serve different buying considerations. Ashes of Ariandel adds areas, bosses, enemies, weapons, armor, and spells, while The Ringed City is described by Bandai Namco as the final DLC pack. The Fire Fades edition is also noted on the official page. These details can help you distinguish a base-game copy from a bundled version, but the exact contents of a particular retail edition should be verified before paying.
Which should you play first? A practical decision
- Choose Elden Ring if you want a broad open world and like the idea of making your own pace through exploration.
- Choose Elden Ring if, when combat gets difficult, you want options such as experimenting with a play style, using weapon skills, or summoning spirits.
- Choose Dark Souls III if a more directed journey through interconnected locations sounds better than setting your own course in an open world.
- Choose Dark Souls III if its role as the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series is part of what interests you. The cited official information does not make earlier games a prerequisite.
- Check platform and edition before paying. The listed platforms differ, and expansion or bundle contents vary by game and edition. Use the current official game page and the regional retail listing for the exact version you intend to buy.
If you are still split, use the deciding question that most clearly separates them: would you rather decide where to explore next, or follow a more directed journey through a connected world? The first answer points to Elden Ring; the second points to Dark Souls III. That is a preference-based recommendation, not a promise about which game will feel easier or more enjoyable to every beginner.
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Bandai Namco Entertainment America reported that the original Elden Ring had sold more than 30 million units in an announcement dated August 28, 2026. That is a publisher-reported figure for Elden Ring, not a like-for-like comparison with Dark Souls III: no comparable Dark Souls III sales figure is established here. The number may be relevant if you are curious about the scale of Elden Ring’s audience, but popularity does not establish which game is the better first choice for you.
Likewise, the publisher’s February 25, 2022 launch announcement described Elden Ring as FromSoftware’s biggest title to date. That is Bandai Namco’s characterization at launch, not independent evidence that it is superior to Dark Souls III. For a buying decision, the practical questions are still whether you want open-world exploration, which combat options appeal to you, and which platform and edition fit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game is easier for a beginner, Elden Ring or Dark Souls III?
The official descriptions do not establish that one is objectively easier. Elden Ring gives you options such as exploration, trying different play styles, weapon skills, and spirit summons, which may help if one approach is not working. Dark Souls III offers a more directed route through connected locations. Choose based on which kind of progress sounds more comfortable to you, rather than a blanket difficulty claim.
Best Value
- ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware Inc. and produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG and FromSoftware's largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril
- Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Traverse the breathtaking world on foot or on horseback, alone or online with other players, and fully immerse yourself in the grassy plains, suffocating swamps, spiraling mountains, and foreboding castles
- Create your character in FromSoftware’s refi ned action-RPG and defi ne your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills found throughout the world
- Charge into battle, pick off enemies one-by-one using stealth, or even call upon allies for aid - many options are at your disposal as you decide how to approach exploration and combat
Do I need to play the earlier Dark Souls games before Dark Souls III?
Bandai Namco calls Dark Souls III the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series, but the official information cited here does not say earlier games are required. You can choose it for its connected world and combat without treating prior entries as a publisher-stated prerequisite.
Can I play Elden Ring or Dark Souls III without buying the DLC?
The listed expansions and DLC are additional purchase options. Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion requires the base game, so make sure your selected edition includes the base game or that you already own it. Dark Souls III’s named packs are Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City; verify the exact contents of any bundle or Fire Fades listing.
Which platforms are Elden Ring and Dark Souls III listed for?
Bandai Namco lists Elden Ring for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The Dark Souls III page lists PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Platform listings and editions can vary by region, so confirm the store listing for your country before buying.
Do both games have online play?
Yes. Elden Ring’s official page lists online play, and Bandai Namco’s launch announcement describes cooperative and competitive play. The current page lists capacities of up to three players and up to six in Arenas. The Dark Souls III page says online interactions are integrated with single-player play. Those descriptions do not establish current player activity or guarantee identical online features.
The Bottom Line
Start with Elden Ring if you want open-world exploration and several ways to adapt when combat gets difficult. Pick Dark Souls III if you prefer connected locations, a more directed journey, or the latest chapter in the Dark Souls series. Neither is proven to be universally easier, and you do not need to treat earlier Dark Souls games as a prerequisite. Before purchasing, verify the platform, edition, and any expansion requirements for your region.
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