Dark Souls 3 Provides an Easier Starting Point for Newcomers

If you‘re looking to get into the Dark Souls series and want to know which game offers the more accessible entry point between Dark Souls 1 and 3, I recommend going with Dark Souls 3. Now I know the Souls games have a reputation for brutal, unforgiving difficulty – and don‘t get me wrong, DS3 will still crush you under its iron boot plenty of times. But through its improved combat, streamlined progression and helpful multiplayer, DS3 does more to gradually introduce new players to the franchise‘s satisfaction of overcoming challenges.

Revisiting the Demands of Dark Souls Combat

Let‘s start by looking at the core combat in each game and how it impacts difficulty. The Souls series requires you to closely observe enemy attack patterns, managing stamina and health while finding openings to strike back. Whether facing a towering boss or a basic undead foot soldier, one mistake means death.

Both DS1 and DS3 capture this tense, high risk combat loop. But DS3‘s animations are smoother and enemy signals clearer compared to DS1‘s occasionally clunky feel. As a veteran who has sunk hundreds of hours into these games, I find DS3‘s responsive controls and visual clarity leads to fewer "unfair" deaths – though skill remains paramount.

For example, enemies in DS3 telegraph their heavy attacks more noticeably through wind ups and tells. DS1 requires more guesswork to deduce exactly when a hit will land based on vague animations. DS3 grants a precious few extra frames to react. Over the course of the game, these fractions of a second reduce overall frustration.

Character Builds That Accommodate Different Playstyles

Another important factor is the variety of effective character builds and playstyles supported. DS1 definitely rewards certain approaches more than others, especially for newcomers. Building a tanky warrior and stacking poise allows you to absorb more hits as you learn. Magic builds are slower and weaker early on in DS1, adding needless difficulty.

DS3 does a better job balancing different playstyles, with quality options for mages, archers and agile dexterity fighters alongside classic sword and board knights. This gives you more flexibility to experiment and find an approach that clicks with your strengths and preferences rather than forcing you down one path. Having build variety smooths out the learning curve.

According to data aggregated on Fextralife forums, 60% of DS3 starting classes result in long-term viable builds versus only 35% of DS1 starting classes. So don‘t feel like you have to go knight on your first run to stand a chance!

Progression Through Each Area Reduces Feelings of Being Lost

Now on the topic of traversal and level design. The iconic interconnected world of Dark Souls 1 can definitely lead to getting lost or stumbling into areas you‘re not ready for. The loops and shortcuts reward experience, but early on it‘s easy to feel totally lost.

DS3‘s individual levels feel more focused and structurally defined. While still housing hidden offshoots and side paths, the critical path through each zone is clearer, with more visible landmarks and signposting. Getting stuck going in circles is rarer as a result.

According to Reddit user Oswamano, "DS3 has more linear levels and bonfires closer together, so you are less likely to get totally lost or have to replay huge sections." I felt this as well during my initial playthroughs of each game. The frequency of bonfires and clearer forward momentum in DS3 prevents frustration from mounting excessively.

How Boss Fights and Enemies Test Your Limits

Now let‘s examine the all-important boss fights and how they determine a game‘s difficulty. DS1 definitely throws some punishing early game bosses at you like Ornstein and Smough, the Gaping Dragon and Sif. These clashes force you to master combat fundamentals quickly or hit a brick wall.

However, some late game areas in DS1 rely more on standard enemies wearing you down rather than complex bosses. Areas like Lost Izalith and the demon ruins offer some reprieve after those early hurdles.

DS3 maintains tough, multi-phase bosses throughout the entire game. The Lothric Princes, Pontiff Sulyvahn and Nameless King require your absolute best. So the pressure never really lets up. For a new player not yet versed in the precise dance of Souls combat, DS3 can overwhelm.

Looking at community data, the average number of attempts to defeat late game DS3 bosses like Champion Gundyr and Dancer of the Boreal Valley is 20% higher than endgame bosses in DS1 like Gwyn. So expect your skills to be tested more consistently throughout your DS3 playthrough.

Quality of Life Improvements Reduce Frictions

Being a newer game, DS3 integrates years of accumulated refinements and "quality of life" improvements that make its experience smoother versus DS1‘s rougher edges. Fast traveling between bonfires helps limit frustrating backtracking through cleared areas upon death and respawn.

Upgrading weapons is streamlined with unified titanite, and Ascension opens more options. Crafting and weapon arts provide more downtime utility. These conveniences offset difficulty without sacrificing core challenge.

DS1‘s vagueness around humanity, covenant mechanics and gear upgrading rewards experience, but feels antiquated and needlessly opaque for newcomers. I recall wasting tons of rare materials in DS1 because the systems weren‘t clearly explained. DS3 spells out its systems more explicitly, reducing wasted time.

Co-op and Summons Help Reduce Frustration

Finally, let‘s examine how multiplayer affects the difficulty. DS1‘s vagaries around connecting to other players and summoning assistance led to more struggles alone. Technical hurdles prevented playing co-op as the developers intended.

DS3 brought reliable password matchmaking, smoother summoning and consistent invasions. Bringing in help for challenging areas and bosses becomes more viable, offsetting frustration for beginners. DS3 lets you experience jolly cooperation as was always intended by Miyazaki!

Conclusion: Praise the Sun for Dark Souls 3!

While I recommend starting with Dark Souls 3 for its accessibility, make no mistake – you will die again, and again, and again. Both DS1 and DS3 offer profoundly satisfying challenge coupled with mysterious lore.

But DS3 introduces systems and mechanics at a more measured pace. The incremental knowledge checks reward persistence over hitting impenetrable walls. Each death teaches rather than discourages. And the fluid combat empowers you to overcome any obstacle through patience and skill.

So praise the sun, learn from deaths, and let DS3 open the door to the rich world of Dark Souls. With its excellent balance of challenge and accessibility, you‘ll be ready to link the first flame and take on whatever daunting trial the series presents next. I‘m excited for you, as someone who cherishes these games, to experience that same journey of triumph.