Alright, gather 'round, fellow masochists-in-training! It's 2026, and the legacy of FromSoftware's special brand of "fun"—you know, the kind where a giant dragon can flatten you, or a guy in armor can poke you to death—is stronger than ever. I've been there, staring at the screen in disbelief, controller gripped in sweaty palms, wondering why I do this to myself. But hey, there's a method to the madness. If you're new and thinking of diving into this glorious, punishing world, let me, a slightly battle-scarred veteran, give you the lowdown on the best order to tackle these masterpieces. Forget official timelines; we're talking about survival strategy here.

1. Elden Ring: Your Friendly Neighborhood Death Simulator

Let's cut to the chase. If you're new, start here. No ifs, ands, or buts. Elden Ring is like the cool, older cousin who says, "Hey, the world is scary, but here's a giant map and a horse. Go nuts."

• Why it's first: It's the most newcomer-friendly because it lets you run away. Seriously, that's the secret. Boss too tough? Go explore, level up, find a cool sword, come back later. It respects your time and your sanity... mostly.

• The vibe: A vast, beautiful open world that whispers, "Go on, adventure!" before a bear the size of a house reminds you to stay humble.

• Pro-Tip: The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is out, and let me tell you, Messmer and his crew will make you question all your life choices. But hey, at least you can explore the Land of Shadow to prepare... or to find more creative ways to die.

2. Dark Souls 3: The "Okay, I Got This" Phase

Finished Elden Ring and think you're hot stuff? Good. Now let's turn down the open-world freedom just a notch. Dark Souls 3 is like going from a sprawling playground to a meticulously designed, but still deadly, obstacle course.

• The Feels: If you just came from Elden Ring, this will feel like putting on a familiar, slightly tighter glove. The combat is faster and smoother than its older siblings. Magic is more fun, and Weapon Arts are basically the granddaddies of Elden Ring's Ashes of War.

• The Boss: You haven't lived until you've fought Slave Knight Gael in the ashes of the world. That fight alone is a masterclass in video game climaxes. It's the game saying, "Remember everything you learned? Good. Now dance."

3. Demon's Souls: A History Lesson in Pain

Time for a history lesson! This is the granddaddy, the OG, the one that started it all. Playing Demon's Souls after the newer games is like driving a classic car: it's a bit slower, the controls are a tad clunkier, but man, does it have soul.

• The Pace: Everything is more... deliberate. You think, you plan, you poke. It's a fantastic way to learn patience before the later games try to turn you into a hyper-aggressive maniac.

• The Training: Consider this your boot camp for understanding the core DNA of these games. The quality-of-life features are barebones, so you learn to appreciate the little things, like... uh, not dying instantly.

4. Dark Souls 1: Where Legends (and Controllers) Were Broken

Ah, the one that truly captured everyone's imagination. If Demon's Souls was the blueprint, Dark Souls 1 is the majestic, interconnected cathedral built from it. And by cathedral, I mean a deathtrap with amazing atmosphere.

• The Difficulty Spike: Yep, it gets harder. Enemies hit like trucks, and bosses stop playing nice. This is where you learn to parry. Trust me.

• The World: Forget fast travel for a good long while. This game is about unlocking shortcuts and seeing the world weave together in brilliant ways. It's a masterpiece of level design that will make you go, "Oh, I'm BACK here?" in the best way possible.

5. Dark Souls 2: The... Ahem... "Unique" One

Look, we need to have a talk. Dark Souls 2 is the black sheep of the family. It's the weird uncle who shows up to Thanksgiving with... interesting ideas. Some love it, some tolerate it, some throw their controllers because of it.

• Why it's here: Because you need to be a hardened veteran to handle its... quirks. Enemies hit like freight trains, dying reduces your max health (rude!), and sometimes the combat feels like you're swinging a sword underwater.

• My advice: Go in with low expectations and a high tolerance for frustration. It's a big game with some fantastic moments buried under some truly baffling design choices. You've survived the others; you can survive this.

6. Bloodborne: Unleash Your Inner Beast

Enough with the shields and careful pacing! Bloodborne grabs you by the collar, hands you a transforming saw cleaver, and screams, "BE AGGRESSIVE!" This is the game that taught us that the best defense is a violently good offense.

• The Combat Flip: Shields are for chumps. Here, you dodge, you rally (regain health by hitting back), and you transform your weapon mid-combo. It's faster, fiercer, and oh-so-satisfying.

• The Catch: The bosses are nightmares in the best way, and the gothic, cosmic horror atmosphere is unmatched. A little birdie told me it's still not on all platforms, which is a real shame. If you can play it, do not miss it.

7. Sekiro: Shadows Die... A Lot

You think you've mastered Soulsborne? Sekiro looks you dead in the eye, takes away your RPG leveling and gear grind, and says, "Here's a sword. Learn to parry, or perish." This isn't a Soulsborne game; it's a rhythm game disguised as a sword-fighting epic.

• The Leap: No stats to hide behind. Your skill is your only weapon. The parry (or "deflect") is king. Boss fights are intense duels that feel like a deadly dance.

• The Reward: The learning curve is a cliff, but oh boy, when it clicks... there's nothing like it. Slicing through enemies after mastering the flow is a pure, unadulterated power trip. It's the ultimate test of everything you've (un)learned.

So there you have it, my chaotic roadmap to glory and despair. Remember, Tarnished/Ashen One/Good Hunter/Shinobi, death is not a failure; it's a lesson. A very, very painful lesson. Now go out there and... try not to go hollow.

TL;DR Quick Start Guide for 2026:

Step	Game	Reason	Difficulty for Newbies
1	Elden Ring	Freedom to explore & learn.	🌶️ (Manageable Heat)
2	Dark Souls 3	Modern, fast, familiar feel.	🌶️🌶️
3	Demon's Souls	Learn the slow, classic roots.	🌶️🌶️
4	Dark Souls 1	Master interconnected world design.	🌶️🌶️🌶️
5	Dark Souls 2	The endurance test.	🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Spicy!)
6	Bloodborne	Unlearn defense, embrace aggression.	🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
7	Sekiro	The final, skill-based exam.	🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Ludicrous Spice)