Choose Elden Ring first if you want an open-world action RPG that gives you room to decide where to go. Choose Dark Souls Remastered if you are more interested in starting with the earlier Dark Souls experience and its included Artorias of the Abyss content. Neither is established as the universally easier or objectively better first game; the right choice depends on what you want from your first step into FromSoftware’s games.
Choose based on how you want to approach the game
Pick Elden Ring if you value freedom to explore
Bandai Namco describes Elden Ring as an open-world action RPG. That framing makes it the clearer fit if choosing where to go and having room to change direction are priorities. It does not, by itself, establish that every encounter can be avoided or that the game is easy.
The base game is also sold in editions or bundles connected to Shadow of the Erdtree. The expansion requires the base game. Bandai Namco’s product page describes a Tarnished Edition with the base game, the expansion, additional armor, and a Torrent appearance customization feature; check the current listing for your platform and region before choosing an edition. Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring page provides the product details.
Pick Dark Souls Remastered if you want to start with Dark Souls
Dark Souls Remastered is a direct way to begin with the earlier Dark Souls game. Bandai Namco says the remaster includes the main game and Artorias of the Abyss DLC, so you do not need to seek out that content as a separate addition to the remastered package. Confirm the edition shown for your platform and region on Bandai Namco’s Dark Souls Remastered page.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
How to decide if you are still unsure
- Your priority is choosing where to explore: Start with Elden Ring, whose publisher explicitly identifies it as open world.
- Your priority is beginning with Dark Souls: Start with Dark Souls Remastered, which includes Artorias of the Abyss.
- Your concern is difficulty or combat: The available official product information does not support a firm ranking of which is harder or a precise side-by-side comparison of combat. Treat this as a matter of preference rather than choosing on the assumption that one is definitively easier.
Check platform and edition before buying
Start with the hardware you own, then verify the current regional store listing. FromSoftware’s January 2018 announcement listed Dark Souls Remastered for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows, but an announcement from that date is not proof of present availability in every region. FromSoftware’s release announcement records that historical platform list.
If online play matters to you, PlayStation’s Dark Souls Remastered product page states multiplayer supports up to six players with dedicated servers. This is the feature description on that page, not a guarantee of current service status; check the relevant platform’s current information. PlayStation’s product page gives the stated multiplayer details.
Rank #2
- 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.
Bandai Namco reported that more than 30 million copies of Elden Ring had shipped worldwide in a 2025 corporate document. The tally included the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition, Deluxe Edition, Premium Bundle, and Collector’s Edition; it is sales context, not evidence that the game is the better starting point. Bandai Namco’s 2025 corporate document sets out the figure and scope.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High Quality Materials : This Dark Moon Greatsword model is crafted from high-quality zinc alloy, ensuring excellent durability and resistance to wear. The intricate craftsmanship and realistic detailing make it a perfect, authentic reproduction of the legendary sword from Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, making it an ideal collector's item for fans of the game
- Ideal Size & Safety: Designed based on Game Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword, this 11.8-inch replica is eye-catching in any setting. Its smooth surface and absence of sharp edges ensure it's safe to handle and easy to carry, so you can enjoy it without worry
- Realistic Details Reproduction: The detailed carving and texture design of the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword is exquisite, with the blade shimmering under the moonlight. This stunningly crafted sword brings you a visually immersive experience, which makes it a collector's item
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Rank #4
- Elden Ring board game campaign featuring tactical combat, exploration, treasure hunting, and cinematic boss encounters for 1–4 players
- 20+ hour replayable campaign that can be played as a standalone adventure or combined with other Elden Ring: The Board Game content
- Card-driven, diceless combat system rewards strategic positioning, timing, resource management, and tactical decision-making
- New playable Tarnished classes including the Confessor and Prisoner, adding fresh character options and strategic play styles
- Detailed tabletop miniatures include 22 figures and a massive Godrick the Grafted miniature on a 120mm base, with components varying by selected edition
Rank #3
- Tabletop board game expansion for Elden Ring: Realm of the Grafted King, adding new campaign content, tactical encounters, enemy types, and exploration-focused gameplay elements
- Includes eight new scenarios and more than 10 hours of additional quest-driven gameplay, expanding the campaign with new objectives, locations, and combat encounters
- Features five new enemy types, including advanced adversaries and large-scale creatures that introduce new tactical challenges and encounter mechanics during gameplay
- Adds two new Tarnished player characters, the Warrior and Wretch, offering different progression styles and expanded strategic options for campaign sessions
- Includes new items, equipment, and NPC content, enhancing character customization and integrating seamlessly into existing Elden Ring tabletop board game campaigns
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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