FromSoftware Games is a video game studio well known for creating some of the most challenging video games in history. These games have gotten so popular that they've even spawned their own subgenre, aptly titled Souls-like games. However, it is undeniable that at the top of this pyramid are the games created by FromSoftware themselves.
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These games are revered for their incredible world and unrelenting challenge. Outside of the areas the players must go through to complete the game, there are also a couple of optional areas that expand upon the game's lore, areas that are arguably one of the most challenging levels of the game.
10 Ash Lake - Dark Souls
Ash Lake is one of the most difficult places to find in Dark Souls, which is a shame considering how gorgeous the place looks. On top of that, visiting this area isn't a walk in the park either. The players will encounter a couple of irritating enemies, and they'll be greeted with a Black Hydra at the bottom of the level.
Despite the difficulty, it'll be worthwhile visiting this place. This area holds so many valuable treasures, and it ends the questline of one of the NPCs in the game.
9 Valley Of The Drakes - Dark Souls
The Valley of the Drakes is a very unique area. It's not exactly a main location, but rather serves as an intersection for many other areas in the game. Despite this, it is one of the most atmospheric areas in the game.
Upon initial visit, the Valley of the Drakes may seem like a small place, but it's actually a haven for exploration. There are a couple of items, weapons, and armor sets the players can pick up here if they can overcome the various drakes that plague the level.
8 Smouldering Lake - Dark Souls 3
The Smouldering Lake is an optional level not everyone will have the chance of finding while playing Dark Souls 3. Discovering the place itself isn't a straightforward path. It involves literally having to destroy a bridge in order to create a path to get there.
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Once the players finally find this location, they will immediately have to dodge giant ballista arrows in the first area. If that's not enough, they'll also have to fend off a giant electric worm. The rest of the level is also quite challenging, but it does offer a couple of valuable materials.
7 Old Yharnam - Bloodborne
When there's a sign on a door that says "turn back" in a game like Bloodborne, it's probably good advice to follow that. But of course, that's not going to happen. Those who have experienced the awfulness of Old Yharnam will also tell you not to heed the sign because although it is difficult, it is most certainly worthwhile.
The Old Yharnam level in Bloodborne is completely optional, but it's something the players will have to go through if they want to play around with the chalice dungeons.
6 Castle Cainhurst - Bloodborne
Castle Cainhurst is a level in Bloodborne that almost feels like it doesn't belong in the game because of how unique it looks. The level design of this location makes it feel more like a level from Dark Souls, but its inclusion in this game is noted and beloved.
This place has a haunting atmosphere to it and its challenging aspect just adds to that. Even at the very first location of this area, the players will have an awful time if they take things easy. The location is challenging from start to finish, capped off with an incredible and difficult boss fight.
5 Iron Hallway Entrance - Dark Souls 2
This little area within the Iron Passage is a nightmare for those who have gone through it. The Iron Hallway Entrance leads to a big boss, but getting to him is as challenging as fighting the boss itself.
From the bonfire to the boss area, the players will have to get through a plethora of enemies, and simply dashing through them is an uphill battle. Quite frankly, the best thing about this area is that it is completely optional.
4 Ashina Outskirts (Revisit) - Sekiro
The Ashina Outskirts level is a location the players will have to go through to complete the game, but its final iteration is completely optional. The players will have the chance to revisit the Ashina Outskirts during the final stages of the game, but it's something they don't necessarily have to do.
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If they do, however, choose to visit this area again, then they should get ready for an incredibly tough challenge. The enemies in this area are even tougher, and the boss at the end is one of the game's hardest encounters.
3 Nightmare Frontier - Bloodborne
The Nightmare Frontier is one of the most interesting levels in Bloodborne. It's challenging, it's rich with lore, and the enemies here are incredibly terrifying. On top of that, the boss at the end of the level is also a very fun challenge.
This place also houses a couple of decent items, so despite being an optional level, it will serve the players better to check this area out. Just watch out for those pesky hunters and giant monsters.
2 Hirata Estate - Sekiro
The Hirata Estate in Sekiro is a level that the players will have multiple chances of visiting, but in the game's grand scheme of things, it is a completely optional run. Despite this, the players should still consider visiting this place as it'll provide a clearer picture of the protagonist's back story and the story of the game as a whole.
This level essentially has two layers. One, the players can visit fairly early on, and another they can visit later granted they've followed the right paths. Both runs are very challenging, filled with tough enemies, and even tougher bosses.
1 Archdragon Peak - Dark Souls 3
The Archdragon Peak is an incredibly gorgeous-looking level. As it happens, it's also such trouble to get through. Finding this place will also require the players to do a bit of digging and learning a gesture from a different location.
The level itself is filled with tough enemies, from Serpent-Men to wyverns. Finally, there are two bosses in this area, one is annoyingly gimmicky, and the other is one of the hardest boss fights in the series.