Summary
Although FromSoftware broke into the mainstream with the help ofDark Souls, and arguablyArmored Corebefore it, these two franchises are noticeably different from the rest of the studio’s output. Looking at this key difference may help shed light on how FromSoftware handles its IP differently from other major game developers, and how a game likeDark Soulshas impacted the studio’s approach to game design and franchise-building.
FromSoftware is famous for its design consistencyacross multiple titles, specifically in the company’s post-Demon’s Souls, Miyazaki-led era. Since the release ofDemon’s Souls, FromSoftware has mostly been known as the parent of the “Soulslike” genre: action-RPGs that feature methodical, high-commitment third-person melee combat, brutal difficulty, and vague, abstract, non-linear storytelling. This “Souls” moniker has become so ubiquitous that it has been tacked on to FromSoftware’s other, non-Soulstitles, such asBloodborne,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, andElden Ring. It’s a bit ironic, though, since FromSoftware now has more one-off titles than multi-release franchises, withDark SoulsandArmored Corebeing the only properties that have received direct sequels in the past three console generations.
NeitherDark SoulsnorArmored Corewas the first major franchise from FromSoftware–—that honor goes to thelong-dormant RPG seriesKing’s Field, which many view as a precursor to theSoulsseries.
Armored Core and Dark Souls Are FromSoftware’s Only Proper Series
As the years go by, it seems less and less likely that a game likeBloodbornewill ever get a sequel. This is bittersweet in many ways, as while countless fans would no doubt welcomeBloodborne 2with open arms, it’s good for FromSoftware to retain its creative freedom and focus on fresh ideas, and not every game needs a sequel. The same can be said forSekiroandElden Ringsequelswhich, at the time of writing, have not been confirmed.
This is something of a rarity in the AAA gaming space. Generally, if a game is as successful as something likeBloodborneorSekiro, a sequel is all but guaranteed. But FromSoftware never guarantees direct follow-ups to its biggest releases and, although anElden Ringsequel seems more probable than aBloodborneorSekiroone, it wouldn’t be surprising ifElden Ring 2never gets released.
Why Dark Souls and Armored Core Received Sequels
1997’sArmored Corewas an early hit for FromSoftware, appealing to an already substantial community of mech fans with its thematically appropriate story, fast-paced combat, and ahead-of-its-time customization. Evidently, the studio felt that there was room for the series to grow both in terms of design and commercial success and the influence of larger companies like Sony, who published the games, undoubtedlyencouragedArmored Core’s long run of releases. The fact thatArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconwasreleased ten years after the series' last installment, and without a significant financial need to revive the franchise—FromSoftware was already exponentially growing without modernArmored Core—suggests that there was also a strong creative drive to keepArmored Corealive.
Dark Souls' sustained release pattern was likely due to a similar combination of creative and financial forces. AfterDemon’s Soulsbecame something of a cult classic on the PS3, Bandai Namco offered to publish a similar game on multiple platforms. FromSoftware jumped at this opportunity, andDark Soulswas born.
Dark Soulsmay have become a seriesnot only because its lore and premise allow for multiple entries, but also because it was such an unexpected success and the involved parties wanted to capitalize on it as much as possible. This tracks, since now that FromSoftware is more of a diversified, prestigious brand in and of itself, releasing games with an unmistakable and iconic style,Dark Soulshas slowed down, living on primarily through inheritors likeElden Ring.
