Originating from the Dark Fantasy genre, it remains a given that games by FromSoftware, especially Soulsborne titles, absolutely dominate whenever Halloween is around. These titles further attract gamers who want an eerie twist to their usual RPG experience, and that is where evergreen games like the Dark Souls trilogy and Bloodborne step in.
Following is every single Soulsborne game, ranked from least to most based on the number and quality of jump scares they have:
7. Elden Ring
Despite being gloomy, Hidetaka Miyazaki has focused more on delivering the player a great taste of exploration and world-building than direct horror in his 2022 title, Elden Ring. Its vast open world and freedom of movement, despite trying its best, reduce the amount of tension that’s usually found in previous Soulsborne titles, which were more linear in world design.
Being fair, the game does have some unsettling moments in regions like Caelid and the Catacombs, but genuine jump scares are fairly rare, making it the least frightening Soulsborne overall.
6. Dark Souls 2
Similar to every other Souls title, Dark Souls 2 delivers an eerie atmosphere with unsettling areas like the Shrine of Amana and the Black Gulch. However, it relies more on environmental dread and less on sudden jumpscares. While players may occasionally be startled by ambushes or hidden enemies, the scares in Dark Souls 2
5. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro is set in a completely different tone from the other Soulsborne game titles, which becomes evident with how it has traded gothic horror for Japanese folklore and samurai duels. Surprisingly enough, it still manages to shock players through monstrous boss designs, whether that be the Headless or the Corrupted Monk.
This 2019 title also features a surprisingly sharp sound design and tension-creating stealth mechanics that help create heart-stopping moments throughout the gameplay, making it have one of the most unique horror mechanics throughout FromSoftware’s portfolio.
4. Dark Souls
The very first Dark Souls successfully establishes the unsettling atmosphere that is now synonymous with FromSoftware as a whole. There are more than a handful of areas, such as the Catacombs and Blighttown, that surprise players with enemies emerging from the dark.
The original Dark Souls is not a traditional horror game, but it was still developed with unpredictable encounters and a layer of suspense in mind, earning the game a place on this list.
3. Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Souls, released in 2009, is the game that started the Souls genre. Known for its brutal tone and unsettling ambiance, Demon’s Souls quite literally feeds on the player’s psychological fear rather than shocking them.
Through unexpected enemy placements, combined with silence between battles, the player ultimately becomes paranoid, sometimes so much so that an audio cue is enough to startle them from their core, especially if it’s their first Soulsborne experience.
2. Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 2 was far from perfect, and part of the blame can be attributed to Hidetaka Miyazaki’s unavailability during the game’s production, as he was busy with another title at the time. However, set on ending the trilogy with redemption, Dark Souls 3 was crafted, a game, in horror terms, that perfects the spooky craftsmanship its prequels started off with.
With haunting zones such as the Cathedral of the Deep to moments of false safety that are quickly broken by ambushes, the game’s pace ensures the player never fully relaxes, making it the most Halloween-perfect Dark Souls game to enjoy.
1. Bloodborne
When it comes to pure terror, Bloodborne takes the crown in Soulsborne games. With its Victorian-Gothic setting and every alleyway and encounter filled with unease, the game becomes a masterclass in interactive horror. This is further supported by the pacing, which is well-aided by the sound design that ensures unforgettable scares.
However, Bloodborne doesn’t just rely on jump scares. Hidetaka Miyazaki, while collaborating with Sony, created a game that delivers a level of dread so significant that it keeps players on edge from start to finish, despite feeling uneasy in many parts throughout the game.
What is your favorite Soulsborne title to enjoy on a spooky Halloween eve? Make sure to let us know about it in the comments below!
