Dark Souls Game With Most Linear Level Design

Every Dark Souls Game, Ranked Worst To Best

There have only been three Dark Souls games but they are completely different experiences despite their similarities, and one is clearly best.

FromSoftware's Dark Souls series is one of the most iconic in the modern era of gaming, but all three games in the franchise are not created equal. FromDark Souls toDark Souls 3 there were massive changes made to the way character attributes worked, how players were able to level up, and even whether or not there was a magic meter. All threeDark Souls games have their own pros and cons, but there is a clear order as to whichDark Souls title is the worst, and whichDark Souls game is the best.

For the purposes of this assessment, all three games in theDark Souls franchise are being considered with all DLC included. While this is important to mention for clarity, it is equally important to say that these rankings would remain the same whether or not the DLC was available, as the base game experience for all three titles is surely enough to get a feeling of each game and its mechanics.

This ranking will also not includeDemon's Souls, as it was not a part of theDark Souls trilogy in anything other than spiritual inspiration. The same goes forSekiro: Shadows Die Twice andBloodbornewhich, although notSouls-titled games, are often looped in with theDark Souls franchise.

The Worst Dark Souls Game - Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2is not a bad game, but it is the worst game in theDark Souls series. There are multiple reasons whyDark Souls 2doesn't have the same game feel as the rest of the titles in the franchise, but the most obvious change was notably because the series' director Hidetaka Miyazaki stepped back to work on other projects during its development, leading toDark Souls 2 being the only game in the franchise directed by Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura instead of Miyazaki himself.

Odd choices in gameplay mechanics, such as enemies dying permanently after a certain number of kills and a much linear world structure, also madeDark Souls 2stand out as being not quite on par with the rest of theDark Souls games FromSoftware released.

The Second-Best Dark Souls Game - Dark Souls 3

Dark Souls 3acted as sort of a celebration of both theDark Souls franchise as a whole as well asDemon's Souls, bringing in elements from all three of the previous games together in one entry while also embracing the more frantic combat ofBloodborne to create the fastest, most responsiveDark Souls game available.

Dark Souls 3 is also the prettiestDark Soulsgame, and although its world design doesn't quite reach the intricately satisfying heights of the original title the game still features a massive explorable world filled with homages to other FromSoftware titles along with a deluge of original content. If anything, however,Dark Souls 3 relies a little too much on what came before, which is why it doesn't feel quite as ingenuous or unique as the bestDark Souls game ever made.

The Best Dark Souls Game - Dark Souls

It may sound obvious, but the originalDark Souls is the best Dark Souls game ever made. From the incredible level design which constantly twists and turns into itself to the intricate-but-obscure plot which must be pieced together through inventory descriptions, convoluted NPC dialog, and level design,Dark Soulsexcels in nearly every category. Players have the ability to build any sort of RPG-style character they desire, from a flame-wielding Pyromancer to a stoic Knight or a fragile Sorcerer, and they have an incredible amount of freedom in how they choose to tackleDark Souls'many boss fights and locations.

EveryDark Souls game has their own best and worst qualities.Dark Souls 2 has some incredibly memorable areas, even if the path players take to get to them are somewhat linear, andDark Souls can be frustratingly obtuse even though there are likely three or four paths a player hasn't yet explored. No matter which game in the Dark Souls series players start with, they are definitely in for a great (if somewhat difficult) experience - but if they're judging the whole series from one hour withDark Souls 2, it may be worth picking up another version.

Next: How Demon's Souls Is Different From Dark Souls

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About The Author

Christopher J. Teuton (689 Articles Published)

Christopher J. Teuton is an author, game developer, film director, and producer based out of Savannah, GA, in the United States. Owner of Filthy & Free Publishing. When not working on his various projects, acting as Screen Rant's gaming editor, or spending time with his family, Christopher J. Teuton mostly enjoys playing with dogs and climbing on trees.