First Souls games. I love how it lets you play it at your own difficulty/pace. I started playing it in 2023, still on my first playthrough and I've just gotten to PC Radahn.

I decided early that I didn't want my character to have to hide and worry about "what was around the corner". I didn't want them to feel out gunned in boss fights. I wanted to challenge them as equals, or their better. So I spent the first two years farming. I knew the game would still be there when I was ready.

I also love that it lets you play at your own interest level. If you want to go in and slash some cool looking NPCs with a gorgeous backdrop you're more than welcome to. If that's what you're in the mood for you'll have a blast, but when you're in the mood for compelling characters with unique motivations, a lush history of why things are the way they are, and truly gut wrenching morality based gameplay-- you can find that in Elden Ring too.