The Ultimate Guide to FromSoftware's Monumental Games: Unveiling the Mount Rushmore!

FromSoftware Inc. has achieved global recognition with the incredible success of Elden Ring in 2022. This Japanese-based developer has been exploring the realm of role-playing games since the 90s with its King's Field series. With numerous RPG releases over the years, Elden Ring has propelled FromSoftware into the mainstream gaming industry, having sold over 20 million units. While traversing the dark fantasy world of The Lands Between has become a popular concept in modern gaming, FromSoft laid the foundation for this universe with their classic entries in the "Soulsborne" genre, which they pioneered.

The journey began with the troubled development of the PS3 exclusive, Demon's Souls, where genre pioneer Hidetaka Miyazaki took charge and transformed it into the blueprint for all modern FromSoftware titles back in 2009. Despite Boletaria, the world within Demon's Souls, being somewhat unrefined at the time, the distinct essence that would permeate the studio's future games was already established through its deliberate combat mechanics and formidable adversaries in a dark and captivating atmosphere. FromSoft ventured into various directions with their releases until finally achieving universal acclaim in 2022, solidifying their role in defining the Soulsborne genre as a whole.

Dark Souls

Dark Souls, the successor to Demon's Souls, allowed Miyazaki to fully realize his creative vision. Set in the land of Lordran and centered around the story of the undead, this 2011 action RPG quickly gained a devoted following, despite its reputation for being incredibly challenging. With its groundbreaking concepts, formidable boss battles, and visually stunning yet treacherous world, Dark Souls set a new standard and cemented its place as one of the greatest video games of all time.

Compared to its predecessor, Dark Souls' gameplay was a significant improvement in every aspect. It felt smoother and more refined, while still maintaining a sense of weight that added depth to every decision made. The game's lore, though subtly presented, unfolded as a captivating mythological saga that would be further expanded upon in subsequent sequels. Despite the mixed reception of Dark Souls 2 and the callbacks to the original game in Dark Souls 3, the overall consensus was that Dark Souls represented the pinnacle of its genre and played a crucial role in defining it.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne, a PS4 exclusive released in 2015, was a bold new IP created by FromSoft in collaboration with Sony. Despite the risks associated with its unconventional Victorian-era action RPG concept, the game surpassed expectations and is often hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time. Yharnam, the game's meticulously crafted setting, is widely praised for its immersive world-building and attention to detail.

Bloodborne distinguishes itself by seamlessly combining traditional Gothic horror elements such as werewolves and vampires with a sense of unfathomable eldritch terror lurking beneath the surface. The game's fast-paced and aggressive combat perfectly complements its dark and brutal world, portraying a society that has descended into violent chaos. Its impact on the gaming industry has been significant, even years after its initial release, and fans have been eagerly awaiting a PC port of Bloodborne.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out among all the modern FromSoftware titles as the most unique. It showcases the developer's courage and determination to follow its own path, deviating from the traditional Soulsborne genre while still retaining key elements of gameplay. Unlike previous games like Demon's Souls, Sekiro does away with custom character creation and class-building, instead focusing on a specific protagonist and presenting a fully-voiced narrative. This was a bold move considering that, at the time, the Soulsborne trend did not even include facial animations for talking characters. The high-quality storytelling in Sekiro was a significant departure from FromSoft's usual approach.

Moreover, Sekiro is innovative in its groundbreaking combat mechanics. Fans were surprised when FromSoftware abandoned the slow and methodical swordplay of its previous titles in favor of Sekiro's highly advanced katana battling system. Gone are the Poise calculations and cumbersome parry windows of the past; instead, Sekiro introduces the concept of breaking the opponent's Posture and empowering the player to execute well-calculated strikes and deflections. With its well-developed characters and intense combat experience, this journey through Japan's Sengoku period proves to be the most personal and immersive title in FromSoft's collection.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring has undeniably become one of FromSoftware's most influential works, solidifying its position as a game that redefines the fantasy RPG genre. Released in February 2022, it has managed to captivate the mainstream audience and set the stage for future years to come. While The Lands Between offers much of the core content seen in FromSoft's previous releases, it was the perfect storm of circumstances surrounding Elden Ring's release that allowed the public to truly appreciate the formula that originated with Demon's Souls.

By seamlessly blending the rich lore and world-building found in the Souls titles with the intense, fast-paced gameplay of Bloodborne, FromSoft has created a masterpiece that encompasses many of its signature elements. The immense popularity of Elden Ring extends beyond just its dedicated fanbase, as it has also become a gateway for newcomers to the genre. And with the highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC currently in development, it's clear that Elden Ring shows no signs of losing momentum.

Elden Ring is available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.