The Game-Changing Gems in FromSoftware's Souls Series

Highlights

FromSoftware's rise to fame can be attributed to the success of the Dark Souls series, which brought worldwide acclaim to the Japanese developer.

Content The Dark Souls games are widely praised, however, it is actually the developer's exceptional titles - Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, that can be truly regarded as their finest games.

Bloodborne and Sekiro distinguish themselves through their distinctive characteristics and innovative gameplay adjustments, solidifying their status as some of FromSoftware's most adored creations. These titles exemplify the advantages of taking risks and exploring uncharted territory.

FromSoftware, a prominent player in the games industry for nearly 30 years, achieved immense success in recent times, thanks to the release of the widely popular game known as Dark Souls. Despite having previous successful titles like King's Field in 1994 and a strong presence in the PS2 launch games with its Armored Core series, it was Demon's Souls and its subsequent Dark Souls series that propelled the Japanese developer to global fame and recognition.

The first Dark Souls game, launched in 2011, took the challenging yet balanced gameplay from its predecessor and elevated it to create an almost flawless action-RPG experience. After initially garnering critical acclaim, Dark Souls gained a larger audience, and as FromSoftware concluded the series in 2016 with Dark Souls 3, they cemented their position as one of the most esteemed action-RPG developers in the industry. This reputation has only been further solidified with the release of their latest game, Elden Ring, last year. Surprisingly, it is not the Dark Souls games that are considered the pinnacle of FromSoftware's accomplishments, but rather their unconventional Souls titles that are often regarded as the developer's finest works.

FromSoftware's Best Received Games Are Those a Little Different From the Norm

The first Dark Souls game is truly exceptional and had a significant impact during its release. Although it took some time for casual players to embrace the franchise, Dark Souls quickly gained a devoted fan base. This fan base continued to grow with each new FromSoftware game, and when Dark Souls 3 was released in 2016, it gave birth to a new genre of games known as Soulslikes, with numerous imitations. It is a rare occurrence for a video game series to create a whole new genre, and Dark Souls is one of those influential and highly praised series.

Having said that, while all the Dark Souls games are considered masterpieces, the best-rated FromSoftware titles are actually the ones that are not part of the core series, namely Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Although they still fall under FromSoftware's Soulslike category, often referred to as Soulsborne, these two games stand out for various reasons. They have garnered outstanding reviews and have become beloved titles among FromSoftware's fans.

Released in 2015, Bloodborne emerged between Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3, which ironically worked to its advantage. Positioned between two installments of FromSoftware's flagship series, it had the opportunity to truly shine, showcasing its distinctive qualities that set it apart in a remarkable way. With its more aggressive combat system, a unique Lovecraftian backdrop and aesthetic, and a greater focus on cosmic horror, Bloodborne skillfully modified the familiar Souls formula, resulting in a game that is still widely regarded as one of FromSoftware's finest, even in comparison to Elden Ring.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice shares a similar story. Released in 2019, it was the first FromSoftware game following the conclusion of the Dark Souls trilogy, and the expectations from fans were extraordinarily high. Instead of delivering the same formula once again, FromSoftware made a wise decision by pivoting Sekiro's gameplay to something that felt familiar yet completely fresh. With revamped combat mechanics, a stronger emphasis on storytelling, and some of the most captivating boss battles in the gaming world, Sekiro delivered exactly what fans needed at the time, and its unique gameplay continues to stand the test of time even four years later.