FromSoftware Should Let Go Of Soulsborne Titles Once In A While

We need more enthralling experiences like Sekiro or Armored Core 6.

Story Highlights

  • FromSoftware’s versatility cemented itself as a reputable and impactful game developer.
  • The studio has influenced hundreds if not thousands of Soulslikes games.
  • We need more Sekirocorelikes to inspire other developers to make exciting new titles.

It’s been nearly 30 years since FromSoftware entered the video game industry with its debut title. It took the studio almost 50 major releases across various platforms to refine their craft and pioneer the now-iconic ‘Souls’ genre. Hidetaka Miyazaki’s ingenious Soulsborne formula proved immensely successful, allowing the company to produce high-quality games within a few years.

Their latest Soulsborne release, Elden Ring, epitomizes the culmination of their efforts, blending elements from past titles to create a universally acclaimed masterpiece. Yet, as the years go by, it seems as though FromSoft’s development via their Soulsborne titles proved fruitful in games even outside the space, showing they’re still as adaptable as they were back when Demon’s Souls came out.

FromSoftware’s Versatile Mastery Beyond Soulsborne

The widespread impact of the Soulsborne genre is evident in the abundance of similar titles developed by AAA studios and indie developers. While I deeply admire the games, I believe the studio possesses the versatility to create titles beyond the confines of linear or open-world RPGs.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
An AC unit battling against enemy ACs | Image credit: Bandai Namco

For example, Sekiro and Armored Core 6 are both brilliant but niche releases. Combat stands out as the defining feature of these games, and it is expertly crafted to the point where it can overshadow other action titles entirely. The exhilaration of executing split-second deflections or evading enemy projectiles with limited resources truly sets these games apart.

That Hitbox though.
byu/edmund_94 inSekiro

What Sekiro Achieved, Others Couldn’t

When I first saw the trailer for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, released in 2019, I got the gist that the game is another entry in the Soulsborne genre until I played it myself, and oh boy, I couldn’t be more wrong. Sekiro is a unique experience, and the combat is half the fun without the prosthetic tools that are available in your arsenal—something alien to our traditional Soulsborne formula.

For me, the Prosthetic Tools turned the tide in many boss fights, which is not even the best part of the game. The game’s distinctive feature lies in its refusal to allow players to grind their way to victory, ensuring a deeply immersive experience and satisfaction after parrying an obnoxious enemy and landing a killing blow.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Wolf landing a killing blow on an enemy | Image credit: PlayStation

This unique approach has left players with mixed opinions; you will either love it or hate it. Yet, I believe there is an undeniable thrill in mastering the art of deflection, a skill that propels players through the game’s formidable challenges and leaves them craving more.

Armored Core 6 Will Make You Crave More

I am not a mecha fan, be it media or video games, but I had to try Armored Core 6 as a FromSoftware fan. As a result, I was decimated by my expectations from Miyazaki’s recent title despite my best efforts to believe the contrary. The sheer thrill I had after defeating the first boss was something I had been looking for in most of the games for a long time.

Armored Core 6
A glimpse of Armored Core 6’s expensive world | Image credits: Bandai Namco

FromSoftware Never Misses

At this point, the consistent success of FromSoft’s titles is sufficient to convince anyone of the company’s ability to produce a game with quirky aesthetics and silly mechanics and still achieve record-breaking sales. The studio’s success is no secret. 

Elden Ring Reviews
Elden Ring is one of the highest-rated games of 2023 | Image credit: Open Critic

In the past decade, FromSoft has earned a reputation as a reliable developer beloved by gamers, primarily due to the fact that larger audiences got a taste of one of their works, Elden Ring. Yet, it’s fair to argue that if Armored Core 6 reached even half the sales as Elden Ring, it’d be widely recognized as having better combat, a trait Elden Ring is praised for.

There Are Several Soulsbornes; We Need More “Sekirocorelikes”

I often browse Steam in search of a game with challenging combat and fun boss fights. It would not take within minutes to find a Soulslikes title. FromSoftware’s masterpieces allowed Neowiz’s Lies of P, a recent hit inspired by FromSoftware titles.

YouTube video

I appreciate releases like Lies of P, Hollow Knight, and Lords of the Fallen, but I would like fresh ideas. There are a plethora of old FromSoft titles that are waiting for a sequel or, perhaps, a remake. Yes, I’m talking about you, King’s Field.

FromSoftware should deviate from the Soulsborne formula and lead the path with new ideas for many indie and AAA studios to follow. As a result, new opportunities for developers will arise, and players will have a variety of decent games to choose from—a win-win for everyone.

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Najam Ul Hassan is a News Reporter on eXputer who enjoys investing hours in his favorite video game titles. When he’s not playing games, he’s practicing Journalism. He began his career on eXputer after combining his limitless love of video games and all things geek with his considerable writing experience. He has been cited numerous times by several noteworthy publications and sites such as Game Rant, Yahoo, PlayStation LifeStyle, VGC, VG247, TheGamer, among others. Experience: 2+ Years || Education: Masters in Mass Media Communication || Written 300+ News Stories.

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