Summary
FromSoftwarehas produced some of the best action-RPGs of all time, revolutionizing mainstream gaming withDemon’s Soulsand, later,Dark Souls, which popularized methodical melee combat designed around positioning and I-frame dodging. Over the course of the 2010s,FromSoftwarecontinued to hone its craft, pumping out smash-hitDark Soulsspin-offs likeBloodborneandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which offered novel takes on the tried-and-true Souls formula.
But in the eyes of many,Elden Ringis the pinnacle of FromSoftware’s RPG design.Elden Ringhas a staggering amount of content, featuring over 200 different bosses (including DLC bosses and repeat encounters), over 300 distinct weapons, and more than 200 spells. Gear and enemy design, alongside various buffs like talismans and consumable items, can combine for virtually endless build variety and playstyles, makingElden RingFromSoftware’s most expressive and complex combat sandbox by far. But whether the game is FromSoftware’s ‘best’ is debatable, as there are drawbacks to its Goliath size. Other games, likeSekiroandBloodborne, benefit from a smaller scope, and a return to this pared-down game design may be just the ticket in one of the studio’s next titles.
The Case for FromSoftware to Take a Less Is More Approach with Its Next Game
Bloodborne and Sekiro Have Restrictive but Rewarding Combat
Sekiroarguably has FromSoftware’s best combat system, giving players just a single sword and a handful of mechanically interesting skills, mainly in the form of special moves and Prosthetic Arts. Its combat isn’t good in spite of its remarkably narrow scope, but because of it: fights take on a rhythmic pattern, as deflecting, attacking, and leveraging certain Prosthetic Arts turns gameplay into an intricate dance between player and opponent. For as difficult asSekirocan be, this dance quickly becomes surprisingly intuitive, making it easy to enter a flow state while playing.
Then there’sBloodborne, whose combat is far more similar toDark SoulsandElden Ring, but with enough changes that keep it feeling meaningfully distinct. Again, it doesn’t have anywhere near the number of weapons asElden Ringor even theDark Soulsgames, but this narrow scope allowsBloodborneto have more memorable gearthan just about any other Soulslike. The game’s trick weaponry is not only aesthetically distinct and intriguing but mechanically rewarding, as each weapon is essentially two-in-one, often transforming in unexpected ways, which can have a revolutionary impact on gameplay. Moreover, the smaller catalog of weapons means more dramatic variety; there are no re-skins or shared movesets.
A Blend of Bloodborne and Sekiro Combat Would Be Perfect for a Future FromSoftware Game
Theuncompromised focus ofSekiro’s combatwon’t work for every game, but an action-RPG that blends its airtight gameplay with the relative flexibility ofBloodborne’s gear system seems like a match made in heaven. BothBloodborneandSekirofeature off-hand gear (guns inBloodborne, Prosthetic Arts inSekiro) that modify the existing gameplay mechanics rather than replacing them. Honing in on this specific design choice could work wonders in a new FromSoftware title, as players could still have the freedom to adjust and customize their experience within a more consistent combat framework.
FromSoftware’s long-rumored magic-centric game, codenamedSpellbound, could adopt this framework, offering a ‘core’ set of spells that can be modulated with different, ‘minor’ spells.
It’s also worth noting thatElden Ring’s incredible scopewill be difficult to replicate. If FromSoftware churns out another game with hundreds of different weapons, it seems unlikely that it would have the same impact asElden Ring, and the company may even be forced to retread old ground. But with a narrow, focused combat system a laBloodborneorSekiro, FromSoftware can grow and iterate within a new, polished gameplay formula, rather than trying to top its biggest title to date.
Bloodborne
WHERE TO PLAY
Hunt your nightmares as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.A Terrifying New World: Journey to a horror-filled gothic city where deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner.Strategic Action Combat: Armed with a unique arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you’ll need wits, strategy and reflexes to take down the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.A New Generation of Action RPG: Stunningly detailed gothic environments, atmospheric lighting, and advanced new online experiences showcase the power and prowess of the PlayStation(R)4 system.Ever-changing Chalice Dungeons to Explore: Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others. These procedurally generated dungeons offer brand new challenges to master, and can be uploaded or shared with friends.
