FromSoftware, the legendary gaming studio behind hits like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, has solidified its reputation as an industry powerhouse.
Elden Ring, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Souls-style games, has set the bar remarkably high for FromSoftware’s upcoming releases. While Elden Ring is an exceptional achievement, perhaps it’s time for FromSoftware to embrace the strengths of its past creations rather than attempting to outdo itself.
FromSoftware’s future is shining brighter than ever. This esteemed Japanese studio has consistently delivered outstanding games, earning a well-deserved status as one of the gaming industry’s most influential and reliable developers. Each FromSoftware title garners high praise from both fans and critics alike, but the question remains: Can the studio maintain its momentum in the years ahead?
Despite the success of this year’s Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, it’s undeniable that FromSoftware is most renowned for its Dark Souls series and its related titles, notably Elden Ring. These action RPGs are characterized by their distinctive tone, brutal difficulty, and enigmatic storytelling. While the Dark Souls trilogy, originally born from Demon’s Souls on the PS3, enjoyed relative success, FromSoftware broadened its influence with titles like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This rich collection of games ultimately led to Elden Ring, which reached a broader audience than any of FromSoftware’s previous works and is often hailed as the pinnacle of Souls-style gaming. Nevertheless, Elden Ring’s success could present a formidable challenge for FromSoftware.
The Daunting Expectations Left by Elden Ring
FromSoftware took a slight detour this year with the latest Armored Core game, but it’s likely that open-ended action RPGs in the vein of Dark Souls will continue to be the studio’s main focus. Over the years, FromSoftware has continually refined and reimagined the Dark Souls formula, consistently earning widespread acclaim. Elden Ring represented a new zenith for the studio, but reaching new heights is always a more arduous task.
Elden Ring managed to incorporate the best elements of the Souls series, as well as those from Sekiro and Bloodborne. While there is room for improvement, many regard it as FromSoftware’s magnum opus. The game bears a striking resemblance to Dark Souls in terms of combat fundamentals and high-fantasy setting but boasts a significantly larger world map, more diverse character builds, and numerous other enhancements. Elements like enemy design, music, and combat mechanics will feel familiar to Dark Souls enthusiasts, but they have been polished to perfection.
So, if Elden Ring is essentially an “improved” version of Dark Souls in the eyes of many players, FromSoftware faces exceedingly high expectations for its future releases. If, for example, Dark Souls 4 were to be released in the near future, gamers would anticipate it to match Elden Ring’s scale, depth, and cultural impact. FromSoftware went all-in with Elden Ring, in some ways making Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice seem relatively modest by comparison.
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However, if any studio can defy these towering expectations, it’s FromSoftware. Elden Ring took the gaming world by storm, captivating a previously untapped audience with its unique charm and demanding combat, ultimately becoming an unforeseen phenomenon. Additionally, while Elden Ring may have broad appeal, its predecessors still offer plenty of distinct qualities. Dark Souls delivers a meticulously crafted atmosphere due to its linear nature, Bloodborne provides a one-of-a-kind setting and lore, and Sekiro boasts a more digestible story alongside arguably the finest combat system in any FromSoftware game. Perhaps FromSoftware should consider building its future games around one of these strengths rather than attempting to surpass Elden Ring.
Undoubtedly, Elden Ring is an extraordinary game, unlike anything the gaming industry has witnessed before or since. Thus, it’s only natural that comparisons will be drawn between it and FromSoftware’s future games, particularly those following the Souls formula. Nevertheless, some fans argue that earlier titles like Dark Souls 3 or Sekiro represented the peak of FromSoftware’s output before Elden Ring arrived. So, it’s worth the wait to see if the studio can continue to surprise us in the future.
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