There’s something intoxicating about a challenge so ruthless, so unrelenting, that it forces you to confront your limits. For some, that challenge is found in the merciless worlds of FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games—where every death is a lesson, and survival is never guaranteed. For others, it’s the Death Race, a test of endurance that breaks competitors down physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve lived through both, and I can say with certainty: the mindset required to thrive in these punishing arenas is the same.
What Are Soulslike Games?
Soulslike games, a genre popularized by FromSoftware with titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, are notorious for their steep difficulty, methodical combat, and cryptic storytelling. These games require players to navigate treacherous worlds filled with deadly enemies, where death is frequent and punishing. Each battle is a test of skill and patience, and every victory feels hard-earned. There are no tutorials holding your hand, no easy mode—only the brutal reality that mistakes will be punished, but persistence will be rewarded.
What is the Death Race?
The Death Race is an endurance event designed to push competitors beyond their limits. Unlike traditional obstacle course races, the Death Race is unpredictable, with grueling physical and mental challenges that can last for days. Competitors face extreme sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and tasks designed to break their willpower. There are no guarantees of finishing—many don’t. The race isn’t just about strength or speed; it’s about resilience, adaptability, and the sheer will to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles stand in the way.
The Unforgiving Nature of the Challenge
In Dark Souls, every enemy, every encounter, and every boss fight demands total focus. A single misstep can mean death, and death means learning. The Death Race operates on the same principle. It is a brutal, unrelenting gauntlet of suffering, where obstacles aren’t just physical barriers—they are puzzles designed to break you. There’s no hand-holding, no easy mode, just like in Elden Ring. You either adapt or fail.
Mastery Through Repetition: My Three-Year Journey to the Finish Line
One of the core mechanics of a Soulslike game is dying—constantly. But each death is a lesson. Every failure teaches you something new, pushing you toward mastery. The Death Race taught me the same lesson, but in a much more tangible way. My first attempt ended in an unofficial finish. My second? A medical DNF. It took three years of grinding, learning from mistakes, and pushing my limits before I finally earned my official finish. Just like in a FromSoftware game, where you keep running into a boss, refining your technique, and refusing to give up, the Death Race demanded I take failure as feedback and come back stronger.
Mental Fortitude: The Real Battle
In Soulslike games, patience and persistence are key. Rushing into a fight without strategy leads to death. Likewise, the Death Race isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about mental toughness. When exhaustion kicks in, when the pain becomes overwhelming, when quitting feels like the only option, that’s when true competitors dig deep. It’s the same feeling as facing a seemingly impossible boss fight with barely any health left. You find a way to push through because you refuse to accept failure.
The Role of Gaming and Exercise in Decompression
For me, both video games and endurance challenges serve as forms of decompression. Some people meditate, others find peace in art—my escape is in overcoming grueling challenges, whether in a game or in real life. Much like a long, punishing run can clear the mind, diving into a Soulslike game forces me to focus entirely on the task at hand, washing away the noise of the world. The Death Race and Soulsborne games may be punishing, but in their difficulty, I find clarity and a strange kind of peace. Struggle has a way of grounding us, reminding us that suffering is temporary, and triumph is always within reach.
Victory is Earned, Not Given
There is no easy path to victory in a FromSoftware game. There are no participation trophies in the Death Race. In both, you either earn your place through relentless effort, or you walk away empty-handed. The struggle makes the triumph meaningful. That moment when you finally land the killing blow on a boss after dozens of failed attempts? That’s the same feeling as crossing the finish line of the Death Race after years of setbacks. It’s raw, it’s personal, and it’s the ultimate proof of perseverance.
Are Soulsborne Players Built for the Death Race?
If you love Soulslike games, you already understand suffering. You already know what it means to keep pushing, even when every instinct tells you to stop. The Death Race is the real-world equivalent of a FromSoftware challenge—no mercy, no shortcuts, just pure, unfiltered struggle. But if you embrace that struggle, if you’re willing to endure, then maybe, just maybe, you can earn your finish.
Just like in Dark Souls, the only way out is through. And for those who embrace the suffering, there is no greater reward.