Two Giants, Two Very Different Experiences
FromSoftware has produced some of the most acclaimed action games of the past decade, but Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice represent very different design philosophies. Choosing between them — or deciding which to tackle first — depends heavily on what kind of player you are.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Elden Ring | Sekiro |
|---|---|---|
| World Structure | Massive open world | Linear with interconnected areas |
| Combat Style | Build-based RPG combat | Skill-based sword dueling |
| Difficulty Flexibility | High (many ways to reduce difficulty) | Low (no builds or leveling to compensate) |
| Character Builds | Extensive (magic, strength, dex, etc.) | None — one fixed character |
| Story Delivery | Environmental, cryptic lore | More direct narrative with cutscenes |
| Playtime (Average) | 60–100+ hours | 25–40 hours |
| Setting | Dark fantasy open world | Feudal Japan |
Combat: Flexibility vs. Precision
Elden Ring offers enormous build variety. You can be a heavy-armored knight, a glass-cannon sorcerer, or a nimble dagger assassin. If a fight is too hard, you can grind for levels, summon spirit ashes, or try a different approach entirely. The game accommodates a wide range of skill levels.
Sekiro offers no such flexibility. You play as Sekiro — a fixed character with fixed tools. Every boss must be overcome by learning their patterns and mastering the parry system. There is no leveling up to overcome a difficulty wall. This makes it more demanding but also more purely rewarding when you succeed.
Who Should Play Elden Ring First?
- You're newer to action RPGs or FromSoftware games.
- You enjoy exploring a vast, open world at your own pace.
- You like customizing builds and experimenting with different playstyles.
- You want a longer, more expansive adventure.
- You prefer having multiple options when stuck on a tough section.
Who Should Play Sekiro First?
- You're confident in your action game skills and want a pure test.
- You're interested in Japanese history, mythology, and aesthetics.
- You want a tighter, more focused narrative experience.
- You enjoy precision-based mechanics like parrying and counter-attacks.
- You prefer a shorter, more intense experience over a sprawling one.
The Honest Answer: It Depends on Your Patience
If you play Sekiro first and bounce off the difficulty, you might never return to FromSoftware's catalog. Elden Ring's flexibility makes it a gentler on-ramp that still delivers the sense of triumph the studio is known for.
However, if you play Elden Ring first and love it, returning to Sekiro's stripped-down, skill-pure combat is a fantastic evolution of your abilities.
Our Recommendation
For most players: start with Elden Ring. It's more forgiving, endlessly rich in content, and still provides the challenging, rewarding combat FromSoftware is known for. Once you've fallen in love with the studio's design philosophy, Sekiro will feel like a natural — and exhilarating — next step.