Ranking FromSoftware’s 6 SoulsBorne Games
With the latest FromSoftware release of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the talented developer has continued its success in somewhat of a niche genre that has ventured its way into the mainstream with challenging, demanding gameplay. Since the release of 2009’s Demon’s Souls, FromSoftware has released another five titles in its “SoulsBorne” line of games. Each title has its strengths and impact on the industry, and we will rank the titles in terms of gameplay, relative success, and impact on the industry.
6. Dark Souls II
Being last on any list of SoulsBorne game is no dishonor. Dark Souls II is a superb title in a vacuum, but following the massive success that is Dark Souls is no easy task. Despite being a technically better game than Dark Souls was at the time, the biggest knock on the sequel was its level design. Specifically, while Dark Souls had a connected world, Dark Souls II utilized its central hub that branched into various sublevels of such. While this was fine, it did not provide the same feelings that Dark Souls evoked.
5. Dark Souls III
Releasing roughly a year after both Bloodborne and Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, Dark Souls III released at a point in time in which some had been exhausted by the formula. For reference, Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls were released two years apart, and the next title after that (Dark Souls II) released three years after. Again, Dark Souls III learned from the lessons of Dark Souls II, but did not find the same level of fan frenzy as other FromSoftware titles.
4. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes the classic FromSoftware formula and alters it in a major way with jumps and increased level traversal. It is also the first title in which you play a specific character rather than creating your own. FromSoftware’s willingness and desire to deviate from their tried and true method is noted, and is likely to keep the company from producing games that consumers will find stale. Technically speaking, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the tightest FromSoftware game to date from graphics to hitboxes and everything in between.