iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with Another Crab’s Treasure if you want the clearest safety net. Its fully customizable assist mode lets you reduce the punishment while learning dodge rolls, stamina management and boss patterns. Choose Elden Ring instead if your biggest problem is being trapped by one difficult boss: its open world gives you somewhere else to go, equipment to find, character improvements to make and the option to summon help. Steelrising is the best fit for a historical setting with explicit difficulty controls, while Lies of P is the choice for players who want a focused, traditional challenge and are ready to practice precise parries.
There is no reliable universal “easiest Soulslike” ranking. Beginner-friendliness depends on what stops your progress: an uncompromising boss, strict timing, a confusing build system, or a lack of ways to recover after repeated deaths.
Which Soulslike should a Dark Souls beginner choose?
Use the problem you want the game to solve rather than an abstract difficulty number. The reviewed material does not establish an official difficulty score or a defensible easiest-to-hardest order, so the recommendations below are based on practical escape valves: ways to leave a fight, adjust assistance, understand feedback and make progress after failure.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Your main concern | Best starting point | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| You want the game to help you directly | Another Crab’s Treasure | It has a fully customizable assist mode, giving you explicit control over how punishing the experience is. |
| You hate being stuck at one boss | Elden Ring | The open world lets you ride away, explore, improve your character, find different equipment and return later; you can also summon help. |
| You want adjustable challenge in a historical world | Steelrising | Its alternate-history 1789 Paris setting is paired with detailed difficulty adjustments. |
| You want a concentrated, combat-first test | Lies of P | Its traditional structure rewards learning enemy timing and practicing parries, but gives you fewer ways to bypass encounters. |
That makes Another Crab’s Treasure the safest first purchase for someone who finds Dark Souls too punishing. It does not mean every player will find it easiest; someone who dislikes underwater or brightly comic presentation, for example, may prefer the flexibility of Elden Ring or the adjustable settings in Steelrising.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How to compare beginner-friendly Soulslikes
Six practical questions predict whether a new player can recover from a bad run more reliably than a single difficulty label.
1. What escape valves exist when you are stuck?
An escape valve is any route around a wall. In an open world, it can be a different region, a new weapon or a stronger character level. In a linear game, it may be an assist setting or a build option. Without one, every failed attempt demands another try at the same encounter.
2. Can you adjust assistance?
Some games let you reduce incoming damage, increase survivability or otherwise tailor the challenge. Such controls are not a verdict that you are playing incorrectly; they are tools for learning the genre’s movement and resource rules at a manageable pace.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
3. How strict are dodge and parry timings?
Dodge-focused games test when you evade. Parry-focused games also test whether you can deliberately meet an attack at a narrow timing window. A player who does not yet recognize attack tells may need a more forgiving route before committing to a parry-heavy system.
4. Is the structure open or linear?
Open-world design allows detours and experimentation. A linear structure can provide a clearer route, but a failed boss may block the next area until you solve that encounter.
5. Does the setting motivate you to persist?
Atmosphere matters because repetition is part of the genre. A grim fantasy, a comic underwater adventure, an alternate-history revolution and a Belle Époque-inspired tragedy create very different reasons to return to the same fight.
6. How much commitment do you want?
The sources do not provide standardized completion times for these games. Treat commitment as a personal choice: an expansive world asks you to manage optional exploration, while a focused campaign concentrates your attention on its combat and bosses.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Another Crab’s Treasure: the clearest assisted entry point
Another Crab’s Treasure is the strongest recommendation when your priority is explicit help. GameGeeker describes a “fully customizable assist mode,” and iTechGuides notes that Nintendo positions the game as approachable for newer Soulslike players. That combination addresses the most common beginner problem: you understand that deaths are part of learning, but the punishment is preventing you from seeing enough of the game to learn.
What makes its assistance useful
A customizable mode lets you decide how much friction to keep. You can begin with more assistance while learning movement, stamina and enemy telegraphs, then reduce it when the basic loop feels familiar. The important advantage is control: you do not have to choose between abandoning the game and accepting every default difficulty setting.
Who should choose it
- Players who want an explicit assist option rather than an implicit advantage from exploration.
- Players new to dodge rolls, stamina management and repeated boss attempts.
- Players who prefer a creative, lighter presentation to a relentlessly grim fantasy world.
Release and platform information
GamesRadar identifies the game as a Soulslike released on April 25, 2024, developed by Aggro Crab. The listed platforms are PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and Xbox One. Check the store for your region before buying, because edition names and availability can change.
What it will not solve
Assist settings can lower punishment, but they do not remove the need to learn where to move, when to attack and how to read an enemy. If you specifically want a tightly structured, serious combat challenge with minimal optional help, another game in this list may suit you better.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Elden Ring: the best safety net for a single impossible boss
Elden Ring is the practical choice when Dark Souls feels unfair because one boss has become a wall. Its open world changes the question from “Can I win this fight right now?” to “What can I do elsewhere that makes the next attempt more manageable?” You can ride away, explore another area, improve your character, find different equipment or summon help, then return when you are better prepared.
Why exploration changes the difficulty curve
In a linear progression, a boss can be a hard gate: progress stops until you master that encounter. An open world turns the gate into a detour. You can gather experience through other encounters, test a different weapon, discover a new route or simply take a break without abandoning the character you have built.
What the publisher says about beginners
Bandai Namco describes the game as challenging while emphasizing learning through exploration and experimentation. Its official article says: “ELDEN RING is the greatest example of how the best Souls games can use immersion and difficulty to give you the feeling of genuine mastery, no matter if you are starting as a completely inexperienced newbie or you’re a hardened expert.” That is a claim about the game’s design philosophy, not a promise that every new player will find each encounter easy.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Who should choose it
- Players who become discouraged when a boss blocks all forward progress.
- Players who enjoy discovering equipment and routes without following a single required path.
- Players comfortable experimenting and returning to old areas after their character improves.
Potential drawback for a first Soulslike
Freedom can create its own uncertainty. You may not know whether a difficult area is intended for later, and the number of possible weapons and routes can make decisions feel less clear. If you want the game to tell you exactly how to reduce the challenge, Another Crab’s Treasure or Steelrising offers a more explicit control.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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 minuteSteelrising: adjustable challenge in an alternate-history Paris
Steelrising combines an alternate-history version of 1789 Paris with movement and combat tools that make it distinct from medieval fantasy. GamesRadar highlights its grappling-hook movement, weapon variety and “detailed difficulty adjustments.” Those controls make it a strong fit for a beginner who wants to tune the challenge but prefers a more directed journey than an open world.
Setting and movement
The game’s Paris is an alternate-history interpretation of the French Revolution rather than a straightforward historical simulation. The grappling hook adds vertical movement and traversal options, while the weapon variety gives you different ways to approach encounters. Those features can make exploration feel meaningfully different from simply walking between arenas.
How the difficulty controls help
“Detailed difficulty adjustments” means the game exposes more than a single beginner or hard switch. The available controls let you shape the experience around the part you find punishing, although the exact menu labels and values can depend on the version you play. Review the in-game difficulty screen on your platform before starting a long campaign.
Release and platform information
GamesRadar lists a September 8, 2022 release date, developer Spiders, and PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X platforms. If you use another console, do not assume a compatible edition exists; verify the current regional store listing.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Who should choose it
- Players attracted to revolutionary-era atmosphere and mechanical movement.
- Players who want adjustable difficulty without committing to a huge open world.
- Players who like trying different weapon approaches rather than repeating one fixed build.
Lies of P: a focused choice for players ready to practice parries
Lies of P is the strictest recommendation here for a player who already finds Dark Souls too punishing. GamesRadar describes its Pinocchio-inspired Belle Époque setting, customizable melee weapons and offensive combat. PowerPyx warns that the original version demands learning enemy timing, includes mandatory area-ending bosses and offers few ways to bypass encounters.
Why its combat asks more from beginners
Parrying is not just an emergency button. You must recognize an incoming attack, commit to the timing and understand what happens when you miss. A player who relies mainly on rolling may need a deliberate practice period before the system feels natural. The game’s offensive emphasis rewards taking initiative, so waiting indefinitely for a safe opening is not always the best answer.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Patch and platform context matters
PowerPyx’s guide records later assistive changes, which means advice based on the original release may not describe every current version. Check the patch notes or the in-game options for the platform and update level you are using. Do not assume that a guide written for launch conditions reflects later balance or assistance.
Who should choose it
- Players who want a concentrated route with a clear combat identity.
- Players willing to practice parries and enemy timing instead of relying on detours.
- Players attracted to a Belle Époque interpretation of the Pinocchio story.
Who should wait
If your main frustration is being unable to bypass a boss, this is a poor first pick. Mandatory area-ending bosses and limited ways around encounters leave less room for recovery than Elden Ring provides.
Side-by-side comparison
The table uses the six beginner-focused axes that matter when a game feels too punishing. “Not stated” means the available material does not establish a comparable fact; it is not a claim that the feature is absent.
| Game | Escape valves | Difficulty or assist tools | Timing demand | Structure | Setting and tone | Release/platform facts in the available material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Another Crab’s Treasure | Customizable assistance provides a way to reduce punishment. | Fully customizable assist mode. | Teaches dodge-roll and brutal-boss conventions; exact timing strictness is not stated. | Structure not stated. | Creative underwater adventure with a lighter presentation. | April 25, 2024; Aggro Crab; PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X and Xbox One. |
| Elden Ring | Ride away, explore, improve your character, find equipment and summon help. | Assistance through exploration, experimentation and summons; a detailed adjustable-difficulty menu is not stated. | Exact dodge/parry strictness is not stated. | Open world. | Immersive fantasy; challenging by design. | Not stated in the available material. |
| Steelrising | Difficulty controls, movement options and weapon variety. | Detailed difficulty adjustments. | Exact dodge/parry strictness is not stated. | Structure not stated; it is more directed than an open-world recommendation in this guide. | Alternate-history Paris in 1789. | September 8, 2022; Spiders; PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X. |
| Lies of P | Few ways to bypass encounters; mandatory area-ending bosses. | Later assistive changes are documented, but exact options depend on patch and platform. | High emphasis on enemy timing and parries. | Focused, traditional Soulslike structure. | Pinocchio-inspired Belle Époque. | Not stated in the available material. |
A decision path for choosing your first game
- Decide whether you need a switch you can turn down. If yes, begin with Another Crab’s Treasure for its fully customizable assist mode or Steelrising for detailed difficulty adjustments.
- Ask what happens when you lose to a boss. If you want to leave and grow elsewhere, choose Elden Ring. If you want to solve the encounter before advancing, consider Lies of P only if you welcome strict practice.
- Choose your preferred atmosphere. Pick the creative underwater world, immersive open fantasy, alternate-history Paris or Belle Époque tragedy that will make repeated attempts feel worthwhile.
- Check your platform before paying. Match the listed platforms to your hardware and verify the current regional store page, edition and update status.
- Set a learning target for the first session. Do not measure success only by defeating a boss. Learn one attack tell, one safe recovery window and one resource rule, then reassess whether the game is teaching you clearly.
How to make any first Soulslike less frustrating
Use assistance as a learning tool
When a game offers an assist or difficulty control, change one setting at a time. If you alter everything at once, you will not know which adjustment solved the problem. After a few successful encounters, restore one default and see whether the underlying skill has improved.
Separate exploration problems from execution problems
If you cannot reach a boss with enough healing or resources, the issue may be route planning rather than combat skill. If you reach the arena consistently but die to the same attack, record the tell and practice that timing instead of changing your entire build.
Do not treat detours as failure
In an open-world game, leaving a boss is part of the intended loop, not an admission that your character is invalid. Exploration can provide equipment, experience and knowledge that changes the next attempt.
Practice one defensive action at a time
New players often try to learn rolling, blocking, parrying and attacks simultaneously. Choose the defensive action the game emphasizes, identify one enemy with a readable attack and repeat until the timing is predictable. Then add another enemy or a more complex sequence.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Check version-specific advice
Balance and assistance can change after release. This is especially important for Lies of P, where later assistive changes are documented. Confirm that a guide’s assumptions match your patch and platform before following its recommendations.
What to buy on your platform
Availability and editions vary by region, and the available material does not establish current prices, sale dates or a universal edition recommendation. Use this checklist before checkout:
- Confirm that your platform appears in the game’s current store listing.
- Check whether the listing is for the base game, a bundle or an edition with additional content.
- Read the update history when difficulty adjustments or assists matter to your decision.
- Verify language, performance and accessibility options for your region and hardware.
- Compare the refund policy with the store’s rules, since Soulslikes can have a steep learning curve even when assistance is available.
For a PlayStation 5 buyer who wants the most explicit beginner support, Another Crab’s Treasure is the clearest match among these recommendations. Elden Ring and Steelrising are also documented for PlayStation 5, while the platform list for each title should still be checked at the time of purchase.
Bottom line
Choose Another Crab’s Treasure for direct, customizable assistance; choose Elden Ring when freedom to leave a boss is what you need; choose Steelrising for detailed challenge controls in an alternate-history setting; and choose Lies of P only when you want a focused, parry-intensive test with fewer escape routes. The best beginner Soulslike is the one whose recovery tools match the reason Dark Souls stopped being fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official easiest-to-hardest Soulslike ranking?
No. The available official descriptions and editorial guides do not establish a universal difficulty score, so a fit-based recommendation is more defensible than a numeric ranking.
Which game lets me leave a boss and come back later?
Elden Ring. Its open world lets you ride away, explore, improve your character, find equipment or summon help before returning.
Which listed game has a fully customizable assist mode?
Another Crab’s Treasure. GameGeeker describes its assist mode as fully customizable.
Recommended Free Tools
Can I rely on launch advice for Lies of P?
Not necessarily. Later assistive changes are documented, so check your current patch and platform before following older guidance.
Are current prices and editions included?
No. Prices, regional availability and edition contents change; verify the live store listing for your platform before buying.
Quick Recap
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.
