My first souls-like game

[GoldRanger]

For some reason (probably temporary insanity) I've decided to give a shot at one of the games of this (in)famous genre. I guess I want to challenge myself a bit, after a long stretch of playing mostly visual novels (which require no skill at all) or turn-based games (completely different skillset).

I was never particularly known for my reflexes, or sharp tactical wit. I've abandoned games before after being frustrated at a boss that I failed to beat.

Despite everything, I bought Bloodborne on my PS4. Heaven knows why. I want to challenge myself with a less familiar genre, I guess.

*Gulp* good luck to me?

Any tips for a complete beginner, without spoilers please?

 

[Urabrask Revealed]

Any tips for a complete beginner, without spoilers please?

You're meant to die a lot. Keep an eye out for red laterns, they show allies hiding. Use your gun to attract enemies one by one. Sometimes it's better to retreat than continuing to run head first into a wall. There're plenty of spots where you can unlock shortcuts.

Hee, reminds me of my first souls game, The Surge. That was fun.ö

 

[Chaos Marine]

The Surge and it's sequel, The Surge II. They're souls like but they're quite forgiving. The maps are much smaller and the enemies can be a lot more forgiving. It's still a Souls-like game so do expect to die quite but health is plentiful in the energy tank system to heal yourself. The ending of the first game is non-existent and the sequel takes place right after but you play as a different person.

[Edit] I misread your post. But if you're looking to break your teeth on a Souls-Like game, the Surge is a good bet.

 

[CarlManvers2019]

Word of advice, if you decide to play Dark Souls

DS2's hardest. Mostly because of differing gameplay, there being a YUGE number of enemies coming after you and relatively bad level design alongside slight trouble with the animations.

Enemy poise has it so that even mid attack, they're not affected enough to stop much

 

[KilroywasNOTHere]

Oddly enough, Fallen Order has been my first souls like game

 

[Von_Lohengram]

Word of advice, if you decide to play Dark Souls

DS2's hardest. Mostly because of differing gameplay, there being a YUGE number of enemies coming after you and relatively bad level design alongside slight trouble with the animations.

Enemy poise has it so that even mid attack, they're not affected enough to stop much

No the whichever Souls-like you play first is the hardest.
Like the OP I played Bloodborne first and when playing DS2 later, I found that one quite easier. I don't disagree with any points you raised about DS2, just that they don't really matter. Subjectively whichever one you play first, will be the one you got the hardest time with.

As for advice: The one big drawback Bloodborne has compared to the DStrilogy is that you don't get health flask which recharges after you die. And for a beginner having to grind for bloodtinge to buy new health potions in between re-trying a bossfight becomes very frustrating fast.
So swallow your pride and backup your save to USB or the PS+ cloud before bossfights you find difficult, then restore to try again. Your sanity will thank you.

 

[CarlManvers2019]

No the whichever Souls-like you play first is the hardest.
Like the OP I played Bloodborne first and when playing DS2 later, I found that one quite easier. I don't disagree with any points you raised about DS2, just that they don't really matter. Subjectively whichever one you play first, will be the one you got the hardest time with.

As for advice: The one big drawback Bloodborne has compared to the DStrilogy is that you don't get health flask which recharges after you die. And for a beginner having to grind for bloodtinge to buy new health potions in between re-trying a bossfight becomes very frustrating fast.
So swallow your pride and backup your save to USB or the PS+ cloud before bossfights you find difficult, then restore to try again. Your sanity will thank you.

TBH, I started off with Dark Souls III around 3-4 years ago, me playing Bloodborne was nearly two years ago, I had the first two but there was something that felt lacking, I only really played DS1 & DS2 this year and determined to finish them or get mostly done

DS1 was surprisingly easy when it came to most bosses and enemy AI was pretty simple

DS2 now, that was hardest if only due to sheer bad level design and too many mobs and a health that gets slashed to half after sufficient deaths and not many Human Effigies to begin with, hard even with guides....fucking Fume Knight

But yeah subjectively hardest is the one you play first because the memory sticks with ya.....I managed to kill Soul of Cinder after nearly thirty tries by foregoing all armor and just using a max upgrade Greataxe in two-hands....most intense and unbelievably awesome accomplishments I ever did second to killing Isshin Ashina WITHOUT parrying