Demon’s Souls Recommended Level Order for Starters

If you’re new to Demon’s Souls, this guide will prove useful for beginners tackling their level order. Demon’s Souls differs from its sister series, Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in a number of ways. Most immediate, for example, being how you access the levels within the world.

For instance, Bloodborne’s setting, Yharnam, was divided into bite-sized interconnected chunks. On the other hand, Demon’s Souls tackles the setup of the world, a bit differently.

After you have defeated the Phalanx boss in 1-1, you’re sent back to the Nexus. Once there, the game truly begins to open up. Here, you’ll have access to 5 arch stones. Then, by using these Archstone’s, you can jump into the game’s 5 main worlds, which include:

1. Boletarian Palace
2. Stonefang Tunnel
3. Tower of Latria
4. Shrine of Storms 
5. Valley of Defilement 

So, what does this mean? In comparison to previous games, you’re not following a linear path per se. As in, you complete 1 area then move to the next that exists within a single large world.

However, in Demon’s Souls, you have the freedom to jump into whichever world after you beat Phalanx. Each world has a set of 3 to 4 smaller levels within it. So, after you finish 1-1, you can jump into 3-1 if you really want. After you finish 3-1, you’ll open the path to 3-2 and so on and so forth. This applies to the other 4 worlds as well.

But thankfully, let’s say 3-2 proves too difficult for where you’re currently at, stat-wise. With Demon’s Souls, you can hop into another world and see if that’s more manageable. The levels are pretty sizable and each has its own varying degree of difficulty. Some will prove harder than others while some, you’ll find much easier to approach with your current stats. Ultimately, finding what works for you, will take some playing around with.

Optimal Level Order for Demon’s Souls Beginners

So, now that brings us to the recommended level order for those who just started Demon’s Souls for the first time. Again, there’s some wiggle room here, so you don’t have to follow it exactly. Nonetheless, this will give you some idea of how to proceed in the game ahead.

Early Game

The first 3 levels on this list, you’ll get through without an issue. 1-2 especially, as it’s one of the shorter levels in the game. 3-1 sucks, primarily because of the Wardens patrolling the Prison of Hope. The atmosphere is immaculate, with haunting vocals and flashes of thunder enveloping the prison. But, as long as you have some ranged attacks equipped, you’ll get through just fine. 5-1 is quite perilous with its narrow walkways and ambushes that take place in a dark chasm. Just navigate the level like a vigilant turtle and it shouldn’t be too difficult.

• 1-1
• 2-1
• 1-2
• 3-1
• 4-1
• 5-1

Mid-Game

Stonefang is filled to the brim with upgrade materials, which is why I’d recommend getting to that area somewhat early. In 2-2, Tunnel City, you’ll find one of the game’s most difficult bosses, Flamelurker. Thankfully, there’s a shortcut that takes you pretty much right to him. So, dying never feels too bad aside from the loss of your items in the previous fight.

The 4th Archstone is the perfect place for farming TONS of souls and better yet? The bosses here aren’t nearly as bad as the areas you’ll traverse through. Well, except for Adjudicator, if you’re trying to get that, One Shall Stand, trophy-like I did. Shrine of Storms also has the Crescent Falchion and Uchigatana, which are great swords that can carry you to the end of the game. I definitely recommend finding these early and begin the long road of upgrading them throughout your play through.

• 2-2
• 2-3
• 4-2
• 4-3
• 1-3

End Game

The entirety of the 5th Archstone is an absolute nightmare. Some, would rather save all 3 of its levels for the end but, honestly, 5-1, isn’t too egregious as long as you’re going slow. However, the rest of the levels in the Valley of Defilement, suck and there’s no other way about it. Do yourself a favor and put it off until the end of the game.

• 3-2
• 3-3
• 5-2
• 5-3
• 1-4

That’s my personal recommended guide on the level order in Demon’s Souls. Of course, another order may work better for you, this just happened to work for me. Hopefully, this gave you an idea of how to tackle each of the Archstone’s as you begin your journey to become the slayer of demons.