FromSoftware has been around since 1986, but they've only recently made their way into the mainstream thanks to the incredibly popular Dark Souls series. Despite some great games before that, Dark Souls made FromSoftware a household name and helped establish their reputation for tough video games.
It's hard to pick the "best" FromSoftware game, not only due to the subjectivity of gaming and opinion themselves, but because every game released by FromSoftware has positive qualities. Picking the best FromSoftware game is always a challenge, but luckily, Reddit is here to help single out the best of the best.
Dark Souls III (2016)
Serving as the final game in the Dark Souls series, Dark Souls III was released to critical and commercial success in the spring of 2016. According to Reddit user S-viv, it's also the greatest game in the series. They write, "I really think [Dark Souls III] had the best balance [between] areas, boss fights and combat."
The responding Beni_Reges agrees, stating, "Oh yeah. DS3 is a fantastic game that doesn't deserve most of the s*** it receives," referring to the criticisms aimed at Dark Souls III from long-time franchise fans who felt that the series had gone too mainstream.
Dark Souls (2011)
Of course, it's hard to beat the original. It's the game that started FromSoftware's ascension in popularity, and it's often regarded as one of the most influential video games ever made, kickstarting a slew of copycats and spin-offs that permeated the 2010s.
According to this deleted Reddit user, "It has a certain feeling to it that no other FromSoftware game has managed to capture." Filled with great stories and bits of lore, Dark Souls is the result of a magnificent development team and a big imagination.
Armored Core 4
Demon's Souls is both a blessing and a curse. It's a fantastic video game that made a talented development studio famous, but it will forever remain the "beginning point" of FromSoftware. In other words, the history of FromSoftware will forever remain grouped into two categories - pre-Demon's Souls and post-Demon's Souls.
As Reddit user OnToNextStage writes, "not including the ones before Demon's Souls. That's all the good ones." MoDyingSon agrees, stating, "Armored Core 4 and [For Answer] are incredible games, both directed by Myazaki as well, imo the greatest mech games of all time."
Lost Kingdoms
Released for the GameCube in the spring of 2002, Lost Kingdoms is a card-based RPG that was published by Activision. One of the best GameCube titles that still hold up today, Lost Kingdoms is rather primitive by FromSoftware standards, but it is nevertheless a fun and engaging card game that mixes in elements of action gameplay and RPG mechanics.
Reddit user mxby7e states that "Lost Kingdom 1&2" are the best FromSoftware games, and throwaway042502 agrees, writing, "Finally someone with a good answer! Damn it poll maker, at least specify Souls games in the title you make all us pre-Souls FromSoftware fans all excited!"
Bloodborne (2015)
One of the best Lovecraft-inspired video games of all time, Bloodborne may just be FromSoftware's masterpiece. Many users of Reddit certainly think so. In this poll, Bloodborne was voted their greatest game by quite a large margin.
As bumpdog handily summarizes, "I feel like it's the best interpretation of Lovecraftian horror ever made in a videogame and I also love the way they managed to mix this with a Victorian setting, hunters, beasts, trick weapons, etc. This whole combination was just perfect, and I truly believe it's the most unique RPG of all time."
Armored Core (1997)
Originally released for the PlayStation in the fall of 1997, Armored Core is a third-person mech shooter that allows players to customize their own mech robots to do battle against other robots. The customization aspect was well received by critics, with many praising the depth and intricacy.
Reddit user 3WeekOldBurrito loves it as well, stating, "As much as I love the Soulsborne series Armored Core is my favorite thing [that FromSoftware] ever did." slee62 responds and sums it up well, writing, "No one even knows [Armored Core] fans exist."
Demon's Souls (2009)
Released two years prior to Dark Souls, Demon's Souls is a somewhat crude predecessor that laid the groundwork for the future series and introduced many of its now-famous gameplay mechanics but which didn't have the polish and "flair" that allowed Dark Souls to become such a mainstream success.
Much of the game's praise is aimed towards its atmosphere and tone. As Reddit user Thevisi0nary writes, " I think [Demon's Souls] had an incredibly unique atmosphere and tone, it did the medieval aesthetic in certain way that I am unable to describe."
Dark Souls II (2014)
Unfortunately, Dark Souls II is the Black Sheep of the Dark Souls family. It's widely criticized, it has obvious flaws, and few people would rank it as their favorite Soulsborne game. But it still has its staunch defenders who can recognize the things it did right.
As Thevis0nary states, "I still loved [Dark Souls II] as a Souls game. The areas were aesthetically awesome, the combat was really fun...The DLCs were absolutely fantastic and Burnt Ivory King is one of the most epic moments in the series."
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
Their first original IP in years, Sekiro proved that FromSoftware could take the core mechanics of Dark Souls and mix it up just enough to remain fresh and invigorating. The game earned praise for its rewarding gameplay, difficulty, and unique period setting.
And for Reddit user Reniboy, it's one of the greatest games of this generation. As they write, "This has been one of the few times in the past 5 years that I have been so into a game that I forgot to eat, shower and the outside world and at my age and typical level of interest, that has been super rare for me these days."
King's Field (1994)
While certainly primitive by today's standards, the first King's Field played an enormous influence on the future of FromSoftware and the types of games they would develop. A first-person RPG, the game sees players exploring a labyrinthian underground and battling various otherworldly monsters.
As this now-deleted Reddit user writes, the game had an enormous influence on Dark Souls and proves a great game in its own right. They noted the "dark and oppressive atmosphere", "rich soundtrack", and "tons of hidden secrets and a general focus on pure exploration over combat" as positive qualities. They also state, "There are also many parallels one can draw between this game and the two Souls games" (this post was written eight years ago).