Elden Ring ushered in a fresh batch of folks who are willing to take on FromSoftware’s trademark challenges. What’s next for the Tarnished who have claimed their thrones as Elden Lords? Let’s talk about which FromSoftware Souslikes are ideal for those who find themselves seeking challenges they once considered impossible.

Dark Souls 3

When it comes to combat and controls, Dark Souls 3 will likely feel the most familiar to players who hail from Elden Ring. Although maneuvers such as the guard counter are absent, the overall cadence of fights will give Elden Ring players a great starting point.

Another similarity between Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring is its characters-customization. Players are encouraged to distribute skill points with the goal of empowering different play styles. However, it’s worth exploring builds and their associated weapons ahead of time. Doing spoiler-free research is encouraged in the world of FromSoftware’s Soulslikes, and one’s experience with Dark Souls 3 would benefit greatly from doing so.

Demon’s Souls (Remake)

Elden Ring players seeking a refreshed version of the original brutal challenge needn’t look further than 2020’s Demon’s Souls. With updated controls, Demon’s Souls stands proud as an updated-yet-faithful adaptation of the original FromSoftware experience.

While the linear nature of Demon’s Souls keeps the player focused on their next challenge, it limits their ability to postpone difficult boss fights for a rematch down the road. Given Elden Ring’s focus on exploration, Demon’s Souls is either exactly what the doctor ordered, or a complete heel turn in the wrong direction.

Bloodborne

Featuring a uniquely Victorian (and sometimes Lovecraftian) setting; Bloodborne is considered one of FromSoftware’s more difficult games. However, that didn’t stop it from being one of the biggest titles of 2015. Featuring snappy controls and a very gratifying parrying mechanic; new Soulslike players who beat Elden Ring will enjoy fresh gameplay with a sprinkling of familiarity in Bloodborne.

With a heavy focus on weapon proficiency, players who enjoyed finding and using unique armaments in Elden Ring will find a lot to enjoy within Bloodborne. Additionally, the game’s multiple endings also encourage lots of exploration and reasons to replay the journey.

Honorable Mention – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Of the FromSoftware games on this list, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the most mechanically-demanding. Unlike the other games on this list, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice doesn’t offer the player a chance at out-leveling their opponent. Instead, mastering timing and movement mechanics is required for those who intend on conquering its challenges. With this in mind, it’s difficult to suggest it as a logical follow-up to Elden Ring’s more methodical approach to combat. Many fans of FromSoftware’s games are divided on whether or not Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice should be considered the most difficult FromSoftware game.

While it’s a Soulslike at its core, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice requires the player to take on an uncharacteristically aggressive play style. Rather than chipping away at a boss’s health, it’s more efficient and viable to whittle down their posture bar with an equal dosage of parrying and attacking. Much like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice offers multiple endings to players who enjoy the game enough to play it multiple times.

Or, Take a Breather

With all of these choices on the table, which FromSoftware game will you be tackling next? Granted, it might be a good idea to take a break from any brutal challenges after your conquest of Elden Ring. Perhaps it’s time to enjoy a pallet cleanser such as Kirby: The Forgotten Land. Regardless, we’d love to hear from you in the Boss Rush Discord and Facebook Group!