You’d think it’s a simple question. You go to a store, you see the boxes, and you count them. One, two, three. Easy, right? Well, honestly, if you ask a hardcore fan how many Dark Souls games are there, you’re going to get a much longer answer than you bargained for.
It’s like asking how many Star Wars movies there are; do we count the spin-offs? The holiday special? The weird cartoons? In the world of FromSoftware—the Japanese studio behind these digital nightmares—the lines between a "Souls" game and a "Souls-like" game are blurrier than a swamp in Blighttown.
The short, technical answer is that there is a core trilogy. But that doesn't even begin to cover the actual experience of the franchise or why people keep arguing about the count in 2026.
The Official Dark Souls Trilogy
Let’s start with the stuff everyone agrees on. There are three mainline games that carry the "Dark Souls" name. These are the ones published by Bandai Namco and directed (mostly) by Hidetaka Miyazaki.
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Dark Souls (2011) This is the big one. It wasn't the first game of its kind, but it’s the one that turned "You Died" into a meme. It’s set in the decaying kingdom of Lordran. You’re an Undead trying to link the Fire. It’s interconnected, it’s masterpiece-level level design, and it’s still arguably the best of the bunch.
Dark Souls II (2014) The "middle child." Miyazaki took a supervisor role while he worked on Bloodborne, leaving Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura to steer the ship. It’s different. It’s weird. Some fans hate it; some swear it’s the most creative entry because of the "Scholar of the First Sin" edition. It counts, obviously, but it feels like a different flavor of misery.
Dark Souls III (2016) The grand finale. Miyazaki came back to direct this one, and it feels like a greatest-hits album. It’s faster, slicker, and wraps up the lore of the First Flame. Most people consider this the end of the "Souls" era.
Wait, What About Demon’s Souls?
If you want to be pedantic—and gamers love being pedantic—you can't talk about the count without Demon’s Souls (2009).
Technically, it isn't a "Dark Souls" game. Sony owns the IP. But let’s be real for a second. It has the same combat, the same "souls" currency, the same cryptic NPCs, and the same crushing atmosphere. If Dark Souls is the house, Demon's Souls is the foundation it was built on.
Then you have the 2020 Remake by Bluepoint Games. Does that count as a separate game? Most would say no, it's a "version," but if you're looking to fill a shelf, it’s another box you have to buy.
The "Soulsborne" Expansion
This is where the math gets messy. We’ve established there are three games with the name on the box. But nobody just plays the trilogy.
In 2015, we got Bloodborne. It’s basically Dark Souls with Victorian coats and more tentacles. Then came Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019, which is way more of an action game but still shares that FromSoftware DNA.
And then there’s the behemoth: Elden Ring (2022).
By 2026, Elden Ring has become so massive that it’s almost eclipsed the original trilogy. Many new players call it "Open World Dark Souls." If you're counting games that feel and play like Dark Souls, the number jumps from three to six or seven very quickly.
Does the Count Include Remasters?
Basically, if you’re trying to buy every unique experience, you’ve got:
- The original Dark Souls (or the Prepare to Die Edition)
- Dark Souls: Remastered (better frame rate, same pain)
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (this actually changes enemy placements, so it’s arguably a different game)
- Dark Souls III (with all the DLC)
If you're a collector, that’s a lot of discs. If you’re a lore hunter, it’s one continuous, agonizing story.
Why the Number Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about this. Well, Bandai Namco recently reported that the Dark Souls series has topped 40 million copies sold. That is a staggering number for a franchise that was once considered "too niche" for Western audiences.
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The success of Elden Ring sent a whole new generation of players back to the archives. People are discovering Lordran for the first time, and they’re realizing that even though there are only "three" games, the amount of content is overwhelming. Between the DLCs like Artorias of the Abyss and The Ringed City, these three games can easily take you 500 hours to fully "finish."
There’s also the "Slashy Souls" factor. Remember that? Probably not. It was a mobile tie-in game that was, frankly, terrible. Most fans pretend it doesn't exist. If we’re being strictly factual, it exists, but it’s not part of the "how many" conversation in any meaningful way.
Understanding the "Souls-Like" Genre
To truly answer how many Dark Souls games there are, you have to acknowledge the clones. Since 2011, every developer and their mother has tried to make their own version.
- Lies of P
- Lords of the Fallen
- The Surge
- Nioh
These aren't Dark Souls games. They’re "Souls-likes." But for a newcomer browsing Steam or the PlayStation Store, the distinction is getting harder to see. If you want the authentic experience created by the original masters, you stick to the three mainline titles and the spiritual siblings (Demon's Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring).
The Actionable Truth
If you are looking to start your journey today, don't get hung up on the numbers. The reality is that the Dark Souls Trilogy is a closed loop. Miyazaki has been pretty clear that he’s done with the series. Dark Souls 4 isn't on the horizon, and honestly, we don't need it. The story of the fire is over.
Here is what you should actually do:
- Get the Dark Souls Trilogy Box Set. It’s the most cost-effective way to get all three mainline games and every single piece of DLC. In 2026, you can usually find this for a steal on physical discs.
- Play them in order. Some people suggest starting with DS3 because it’s faster, but honestly, seeing the world evolve from the first game to the last is a religious experience for gamers.
- Don't skip the DLC. The hardest bosses and the best lore are tucked away in the expansions. You haven't finished Dark Souls until you've faced Gael or Manus.
- Accept the spiritual family. Once the trilogy is done, move to Elden Ring or Bloodborne. They aren't "Dark Souls" by name, but they are by spirit.
Basically, there are three Dark Souls games. But in the hearts of the fans, there is a sprawling, seven-game saga of beautiful, punishing art that started in a dark dungeon in 2009 and hasn't let go of us since.
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Stop worrying about the count and start worrying about that knight around the next corner. He’s going to kill you. And you're going to love it.