The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Start with Demon’s Souls if you want the clearest PS5-first entry point. It is presented by PlayStation as a PS5 remake from PlayStation Studios and Bluepoint Games, and an official PlayStation Direct listing identifies a PS5 disc game. Choose Elden Ring for a larger, more open-ended adventure, Lies of P for another focused Soulslike option, or Lords of the Fallen if its particular approach appeals to you. Black Myth: Wukong belongs on a borderline list: one genre guide includes it, while noting that it is closer to character action than a conventional Soulslike.
There is no universal “best” ranking here. The right first game depends on how closely you want to follow the Souls formula, how much freedom you want while exploring, and whether you prefer a tightly directed journey or a broader adventure.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $74.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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The short list at a glance
| Game | Best fit for | Genre position | PS5 buying note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demon’s Souls | A player who wants a purpose-built PS5 starting point and a direct introduction to the formula | Core Soulslike recommendation | PlayStation describes it as a PS5 remake; PlayStation Direct has surfaced a PS5 disc-game listing. Live stock, price and regional availability were not established. |
| Elden Ring | Someone who wants exploration, variety and more freedom in how to approach the world | Core Soulslike recommendation | Confirm the current PS5 edition and format in your region before buying. |
| Lies of P | A player looking for another focused, genre-forward choice | Core Soulslike recommendation | Confirm the current PS5 edition and physical or digital format locally. |
| Lords of the Fallen | Someone who wants an additional Soulslike candidate beyond the two most obvious picks | Recommended alternative | Verify the current PS5 listing, edition and availability. |
| Black Myth: Wukong | A player who is happy with a game adjacent to the genre rather than a strict Soulslike | Borderline or adjacent pick | Check the current PS5 product page and regional format before purchase. |
The table is a decision aid, not a measured scorecard. No objective difficulty ranking, universal consensus order or complete mechanical comparison is established for these games.
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1. Demon’s Souls: the clearest PS5-first starting point
Demon’s Souls is the strongest platform-verified recommendation in this group. PlayStation presents it as a remake for PS5 made by PlayStation Studios and Bluepoint Games. A PlayStation Direct product listing also identifies a PS5 disc game. Those two facts make it the easiest choice when your first question is, “Which Soulslike was specifically presented as a PS5 experience?”
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Why choose it
- You want a game built and marketed around PS5 rather than relying on an unconfirmed platform listing.
- You prefer a concentrated introduction to the genre instead of beginning with the broadest possible adventure.
- You are buying a physical copy and want an official disc listing to check first.
Because it is a remake, it also offers a clear way to experience the series’ foundational setting through a current-generation presentation. That does not make it objectively easier than the other recommendations; demanding action games can feel very different from one player to another.
What to verify before paying
The official listing establishes that a PS5 disc product exists, but it does not establish a live price, current stock or availability in every country. Open the PlayStation Store or your region’s PlayStation Direct page, check that the product is marked for PS5, and confirm whether you are looking at a disc edition or a digital entitlement. A listing that appears in search results can still be unavailable in your country or temporarily out of stock.
2. Elden Ring: choose it for freedom and variety
Elden Ring is one of the strongest choices for a player who wants the Soulslike foundation with a more expansive sense of exploration. The genre-focused guide used for this shortlist puts it among the first games to consider and discusses the varied ways these games can approach the formula.
Why choose it
- You want to spend substantial time exploring rather than following one tightly directed route.
- You value a wide range of possible approaches and are comfortable deciding where to go next.
- You want a first Soulslike that leaves room to change direction when a particular encounter is not working for you.
This freedom changes the shape of the challenge. A player who enjoys discovering optional paths may find the structure inviting; someone who wants a carefully signposted sequence may prefer a more focused game. Neither preference is a statement about objective quality or difficulty.
Questions to answer before starting
- Do you enjoy navigating a large space without always knowing the intended route?
- Would you rather have many possible activities and destinations, or a shorter chain of strongly directed areas?
- Are you willing to spend time learning the game’s systems before deciding whether it suits you?
The current PS5 edition, physical availability and regional format were not independently verified for this article. Confirm those details on the storefront or retailer serving your country; do not assume that a listing, bundle or used copy includes the version you want.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
3. Lies of P: a focused, genre-forward option
Lies of P belongs on a core shortlist for readers who want a game explicitly aimed at the Soulslike audience. It is a strong candidate alongside Demon’s Souls and Elden Ring, especially if you want a focused alternative rather than the broadest possible world.
Why it may fit
- You want a clear Soulslike identity instead of a game that only borrows a few adjacent ideas.
- You prefer to evaluate a separate setting and presentation rather than begin with the original PlayStation remake.
- You are choosing by atmosphere and structure first, then checking the platform details.
The available material does not support a complete, verified comparison of its parrying, dodging, build variety or boss design against every other title in this list. Treat detailed claims about which game has the “best” version of any one mechanic as personal preference unless you have played the games yourself or checked current, game-specific documentation.
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Buying check
Before purchase, verify that the product page says PS5 for your region and identify whether the offer is physical, digital or a bundle. A PS5-compatible listing can differ by country, edition and retailer, and those details can change after launch.
4. Lords of the Fallen: a worthwhile additional candidate
Lords of the Fallen is another recommendation surfaced by the PS5 genre guide. It is useful to include when the first three choices do not quite match what you want, but the available evidence does not justify presenting it as a universal fourth-place winner.
When to put it on your list
- You have already identified the Soulslike structure as the type of game you want and are open to another interpretation of it.
- You want to compare a less obvious candidate rather than default to the most prominent names.
- You are prepared to judge the game on its own combat feel, exploration and pacing instead of expecting it to reproduce another title.
Use the same platform discipline as with Lies of P: check the current PS5 product page, the edition name and the format offered in your country. A general mention in a genre guide is not proof that every physical or digital edition remains in stock everywhere.
5. Black Myth: Wukong: include it only if “Soulslike” can be broad
Black Myth: Wukong is the boundary case. One genre-focused guide includes it among PS5 Soulslike recommendations but cautions that it may be closer to character action than to a conventional Soulslike. That distinction matters if you are buying specifically for the familiar Souls formula.
Who should consider it
- A player who enjoys demanding action combat but does not require every genre convention.
- Someone who is comfortable treating “Soulslike” as a broad recommendation label rather than a strict classification.
- A reader whose priority is the game’s own action style, setting or presentation, not fidelity to a template.
Who should start elsewhere
If you want the closest match to a conventional Soulslike structure, begin with Demon’s Souls, Elden Ring or Lies of P. Selecting Black Myth: Wukong first can lead to a mismatch between what you expect from the label and what the game actually emphasizes. That is a genre-definition issue, not a quality verdict.
How to choose your first PS5 Soulslike
Choose by world structure
| If you want… | Start by considering… | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| A PS5-specific starting point with official platform evidence | Demon’s Souls | PlayStation presents it as a PS5 remake and PlayStation Direct lists a PS5 disc game. |
| A broad adventure with more freedom to decide where to explore | Elden Ring | It is the guide’s first port of call for a varied approach to the genre. |
| A focused game that sits firmly in the Soulslike conversation | Lies of P | It is identified as a strong genre-focused candidate. |
| Another established-style option after the main shortlist | Lords of the Fallen | It is an additional recommendation in the PS5 genre guide. |
| Action combat that may sit outside a strict Soulslike definition | Black Myth: Wukong | The guide includes it but labels its genre position as closer to character action. |
Choose by your tolerance for uncertainty
Some players want an official platform signal before spending money. For them, Demon’s Souls has the clearest evidence in this list. Others are more interested in the experience than in a particular edition; they can use the shortlist first, then confirm the store page. If a game’s current PS5 listing, price or stock is not visible in your region, pause the purchase rather than assuming that a different edition is equivalent.
Choose by the kind of challenge you enjoy
Soulslike games are demanding, but “hardest” is not a reliable universal category. Your result depends on how you respond to timing, exploration, repeated attempts and learning unfamiliar systems. Instead of searching for an objective easiest game, ask which frustration you are most willing to accept:
- Getting lost: a broad, exploratory structure may be the wrong first fit.
- Repeating a difficult encounter: a focused action game may still demand patience even when its route is clearer.
- Learning a new ruleset: any first Soulslike requires time before your initial impressions are fair.
- Unclear genre expectations: avoid the borderline pick if you specifically want conventional Soulslike structure.
A practical decision path
- Decide whether the label must be strict. If yes, begin with Demon’s Souls, Elden Ring or Lies of P. Keep Black Myth: Wukong for a broader action-game search.
- Pick your preferred world shape. Choose Elden Ring if freedom and variety are the priority; choose Demon’s Souls or Lies of P if you want a more focused starting point.
- Use Lords of the Fallen as the additional candidate. It belongs in the conversation when you want another interpretation rather than a definitive ranking.
- Check the PS5 product page in your country. Confirm the platform, edition, format, language or regional restrictions shown on the live listing, and whether the item is actually available.
- Choose physical or digital deliberately. A disc listing is not the same thing as a digital license, and a used physical copy may not include every bonus or edition-specific entitlement.
- Buy only after the listing matches your console and preference. Prices, stock, subscription catalogs and regional offers can change.
PS5 edition and format checklist
Platform verification is part of choosing the game, not an administrative detail. Use this checklist immediately before ordering:
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- 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
- Read the product title and platform line; it should explicitly identify PS5 when that is the version you need.
- Check whether the offer is a disc, digital purchase, bundle or cross-generation package.
- Confirm the storefront country and currency. A product visible in one region may not be sold or stocked in another.
- Check the live stock status and current price rather than relying on an old article or cached result.
- For a disc copy, make sure your PS5 model accepts discs. A digital-only console cannot use a physical game disc.
- For a digital copy, verify the account region and any edition name before completing the transaction.
In this shortlist, only Demon’s Souls has a platform and disc listing specifically established by the cited official PlayStation material. The other titles remain plausible PS5 choices, but their current editions should be verified individually at the time you buy.
What this list does—and does not—claim
This is an editorial shortlist for people deciding what to play, not a laboratory ranking. It does not assign numeric difficulty scores, claim that one title is objectively easiest, or declare a winner for parrying, dodging, builds or boss design. Those comparisons require a fuller, game-by-game evidence base and still depend heavily on player preference.
The strongest conclusions are narrower and more useful: Demon’s Souls is the best-supported PS5 starting point in this selection; Elden Ring and Lies of P are strong genre-focused choices; Lords of the Fallen is a credible additional option; and Black Myth: Wukong should be treated as an adjacent pick because its classification is debated.
Suggested starting orders
If you are completely new to Soulslikes
- Check Demon’s Souls first if you want the most clearly verified PS5 product.
- Choose Elden Ring instead if exploration and freedom matter more than a tightly focused introduction.
- Consider Lies of P if you want another direct genre recommendation.
If you already know you like the formula
- Use Elden Ring for a broader, more varied adventure.
- Use Lies of P for a focused alternative.
- Add Lords of the Fallen when you want another interpretation.
If you mainly want challenging action
Decide whether a strict Soulslike label matters. If it does, stay with the core three. If it does not, evaluate Black Myth: Wukong as an adjacent character-action candidate and set expectations accordingly.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBottom line
For most PS5 owners asking where to begin, Demon’s Souls is the safest first recommendation because its PS5 remake status and disc listing are directly supported by official PlayStation material. Pick Elden Ring when freedom and exploration are the deciding factors, Lies of P when you want another focused Soulslike, and Lords of the Fallen as a further candidate. Choose Black Myth: Wukong only if you are comfortable with a broader, character-action interpretation of the label. Verify the live edition, format, price and regional availability for any game before purchase.
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.
