FromSoftware: Branching out from Soulsborne
FromSoftware, the developer responsible for multiple Soulsborne games and Armored Core, should consider branching out beyond its comfort zone and return to its roots in Horror games. From its origins as a niche developer creating a variety of games, FromSoftware has focused almost entirely on Souls-like games for a decade. Despite some recent deviations with games like Armored Core 6, fans are still eagerly awaiting more Soulsborne games like Elden Ring 2, Bloodborne 2, and Dark Souls 4. FromSoft has also been successful in numerous other genres, and it would be a waste not to showcase that talent again.
The Legacy of Demon's Souls
If you’re a fan of FromSoftware games, then you’re likely aware of Demon’s Souls and its influence on the modern Soulsborne genre. However, you might be surprised to learn that FromSoftware is not just a Soulsborne company.
FromSoftware’s history goes back much further than the initial release of Demon’s Souls in 2009. The company has developed numerous other games before and after that pivotal moment, including survival games like Yoru and the Fatal Frame series. Despite being best known for Souls-likes, FromSoftware has never been a one-trick pony; it just hasn’t explored these other genres in recent years.
Recently, I had the opportunity to play Kuon, a Silent Hill-like Survival Horror game. As a huge fan of FromSoftware games, I immediately fell in love with Kuon’s atmosphere and unique gameplay mechanics. However, I couldn’t help but wish that FromSoftware would create more horror games like Kuon.
FromSoftware's Diverse Game Development
FromSoftware has succeeded in multiple genres in the past. For example, Demon’s Souls could be considered a third-person action-adventure game, while Armored Core is a mecha-based mech game. Beyond these obvious examples, FromSoftware has also created racing games and third-person shooters, and it even dabbled in online games before the term ‘games-as-a-service’ was even a thing.
However, despite the diverse nature of its past offerings, FromSoftware has focused almost entirely on Souls-like games for the past decade. It’s understandable that the company may be reluctant to deviate from its current formula that has been so successful. FromSoftware has created multiple sequels within the Soulsborne genre, including Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne 2, and the upcoming Elden Ring is even a spiritual successor to Dark Souls.
Nevertheless, FromSoftware has also demonstrated its potential to develop in other genres. Its modern games, like Bloodborne, have incorporated elements of horror. While these Souls games have always featured a level of horror, they are more action-adventure games with a more powerful protagonist. Kuon, a FromSoftware horror game, creates an unsettling atmosphere and unique gameplay mechanics to emphasize vulnerability and create a more personal level of horror.
FromSoftware’s ability to craft atmosphere is still evident in its modern games, but the tone and experience of horror provide a different experience. FromSoftware’s reputation as a Soulsborne company has overshadowed its past diversity in game development. The company needs to shed this reputation and branch out to avoid diluting the genre with copycat games.
Opportunity for FromSoftware
FromSoftware is still capable of creating games with a high level of polish and an attention to detail, but the current gaming landscape favors safe formulas with big budgets. The success of games like Elden Ring reinforces FromSoftware’s reliance on its established genre, and it’s unlikely the company will explore similar horror games.
Nevertheless, horror games provide an opportunity for FromSoftware to tap into a genre it has proven to excel in. A FromSoftware horror game would be refreshing and would allow the company to showcase its talent beyond the Souls-like genre.
That’s why I’d love to see a FromSoftware horror game. Whether it’s something like Silent Hill or Resident Evil, there are plenty of iconic series that I’d love to see FromSoftware take a crack at. However, considering the current state of the games industry, it’s unlikely FromSoftware will create a horror game, which is a real shame.
