Why FromSoftware is Still King of the Soulslike - IGN (2025)

The soulslike genre has exploded over the last decade or so with all sorts of different takes on the genre. We’ve seen 2D soulslikes, anime soulslikes, sci-fi soulslikes, ninja soulslikes, third person shooter soulslikes, Star Wars soulslikes… the list goes on and on. But I think it’s hard not to argue that the king of the genre is still the originator of it: FromSoftware. Now, if you were to ask 10 different people why that is, you’d probably get 10 different answers, because the Souls games mean different things to different people. For some, they’re all about the PvP invasions and the unique brand of online play that only FromSoft’s games provide. For others, they love the deep lore that FromSoft buries deep in its environments, world design, and yes, even item descriptions. Others still just broadly like the unique challenge these games provide.

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But for me, if I had to boil down the key reason why the FromSoftware soulslikes are so special in a genre so full of other games trying to capture that same magic, it’s this: The feeling of awe and/or dread that you get from walking into a new region for the first time, not knowing what to expect or whether or not you’re even prepared for what’s in store for you, and the excitement that comes with the thought of exploring it. Other games have done a great job of putting their own spins on the methodical combat of the Souls series, the risk/reward mechanics surrounding death, and unique take on online play. Hell, some have even improved upon those features. But no soulslike has ever given me goosebumps like the first time I ventured into Sen’s Fortress, or Cainhurst Castle, or the Siofra River.

You could point to a number of reasons why FromSoftware is so good at creating these moments, but let’s get the most obvious and superficial one out of the way first: I dont think it’s hyperbole to say that the studio has some of the best environmental artists in video games today. FromSoft’s games may not be sheer graphical showcases in the same ways that powerhouses like Horizon, Battlefield, or Call of Duty are, but I’d always count them among the best looking games of each year based on the strength of their art direction alone. There’s just such a variety of breathtaking architecture, incredible vistas, and dreary, desolate landscapes that never fail to elicit whatever their intended reaction is.

And it's more than just their looks, it’s also the direction of how you’re introduced to these areas. Whether it’s the bat demons that pick you up and deliver you to Anor Londo, the lengthy elevator ride down to Siofra, or getting bagged by a snatcher in Bloodborne and taken away to the Hypogean Gaol, FromSoftware are masters of this technique of making grand introductions to exceedingly memorable areas.

But now let’s circle back to that feeling of dread, because that’s such a unique feeling in video games, and one that’s usually reserved for horror games. Every soulslike has some modicum of dread simply due to the fact that dying is so costly. You not only lose your progress to a checkpoint, but enemies respawn, whatever items you spent are not refunded, and you risk losing the one currency that’s used both for upgrading your character and gear. But despite this basically being a requirement at this point for every soulslike, no game makes me scared of the unknown quite like the Soulsborne series.

That’s probably because FromSoft is so good right out of the gate at making you well aware of the fact that there will be enemies and traps that, upon first encounter, you are simply not expected to survive against. There are forking paths with one route leading to the actual “right” way to go, and the other leading you down a road towards enemies that are far beyond your level range; shortcuts leading to areas that you’re not recommended to visit until much later; and treasure chests that… well you know.

It also helps that the enemies in Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro are absolutely vicious. Even the weakest enemies in these games can pose a threat, and the stronger standard enemies can sometimes feel like minibosses by themselves. This is important because these games are paced so well. Just when you start getting the hang of the attacks and patterns of enemies in one area you reach a brand new one, and are always faced with the prospect of new enemies that have a whole new set of attacks, techniques, and patterns to learn that are often completely different from anything else you’ve fought thus far. And sure, that sounds obvious, but no other soulslike has quite the level of enemy variety, both in terms of visual and AI design, as the FromSoftware games.

Finally, FromSoftware never rests on its laurels. Despite every game following the same core set of design mechanics and philosophies, there’s always some sort of substantial twist on the formula that prevents these games from ever feeling too reliant on what came before. Demon’s Souls established the formula, then Dark Souls took that formula into a small-scale open world with a huge emphasis on gated exploration. Dark Souls 2 adopted a bit more of a linear approach and changed up a number of mechanics, while Dark Souls 3 sort of combined elements of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. Bloodborne completely changed up the combat focus to be more aggressive on top of introducing a whole new dark victorian aesthetic. Sekiro made a shift to action over RPG, and finally Elden Ring took everything into the realm of a sprawling, nearly unrestrained open world. Not every change between these games is celebrated, but the fact that FromSoftware has been able to continuously iterate upon the formula without ever changing what fans truly love about these games is remarkable, and it’s one of the things that keeps the genre thriving. Now we don’t just have soulslikes, we have Sekiro-likes, Bloodborne-likes, and in the next few years, we’ll no doubt see some Elden Ring-likes.

FromSoftware Gameography

Developer spotlight: a look at the games the Tokyo-based company has developed over the years.

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King's Field (JP)FromSoftware
King's FieldFromSoftware
King's Field IIFromSoftware
Armored CoreFromSoftware
Armored Core: Project PhantasmaFromSoftware
Shadow TowerFromSoftware
Echo NightFromSoftware
Armored Core: Master of ArenaFromSoftware
Spriggan: Lunar VerseFromSoftware
Frame GrideFromSoftware

But as I said at the top, there are many reasons why people love these games. As someone who doesn’t care too much for the PvP aspects of these games, these are the things that make FromSoft’s games so special to me. What about you? Let me know what makes Soulsborne games so special to you in the comments below.

Mitchell Saltzman is an editorial producer at IGN. You can find him on twitter @JurassicRabbit

Why FromSoftware is Still King of the Soulslike - IGN (2025)

FAQs

Why FromSoftware is Still King of the Soulslike - IGN? ›

That's probably because FromSoft is so good right out of the gate at making you well aware of the fact that there will be enemies and traps that, upon first encounter, you are simply not expected to survive against.

Why are FromSoftware the best? ›

FromSoftware delivers challenging gameplay and rich universes, creating dedicated fanbase for difficult mechanics and epic boss fights. Top-rated games like Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro offer intense boss fights, intricate worlds, and satisfying gameplay experiences for players.

What is the hardest boss in FromSoftware history? ›

His name says it all: Radahn, Consort of Miquella. This fearsome enemy was already in Elden Ring, but it is in its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree where he acquires the title of hardest boss in the game, and in From Software history (yes, even above Isshin Ashina).

Is Elden Ring the most successful FromSoftware game? ›

Elden Ring is arguably FromSoftware's most successful release yet, selling 20 million copies right before its first anniversary in 2023 and continuing to smash charts today. On Steam, the open-world RPG currently sits as the eighth most-played game - beating out various titles both old and new.

Why are soulslikes so popular? ›

It's a vibe. It's an unmistakable feeling you get seeing your character on-screen, the weapon in their hand, and the enemy approaching you. It's your position within a world, physically (some rando) and narratively (also some rando).

Why is FromSoftware so loved? ›

FromSoftware is known for its challenging and atmospheric titles, and came from relative obscurity to now make a significant impact on the gaming industry. With popular franchises like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the studio gained a loyal fanbase and critical praise.

Who is the least defeated boss in Elden Ring? ›

Placidusax is an optional boss, meaning that he doesn't have to be defeated to complete the game, which goes some of the way to explaining why so few players have hunted him down.

Who is the first unskippable boss in Elden Ring? ›

Margit, the Fell Omen

Margit is the first main boss you'll face in Elden Ring. He guards a chokepoint in Stormveil Castle, which means you can't miss him if you want to progress the game.

Who is harder, Malenia or Radahn? ›

Radahn is way harder than Malenia with his moveset, damage and health.

Has anyone beat Elden Ring? ›

It took me 7 hours to beat Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's final boss, and people are already demolishing it without getting hit⁠ a single time.

What is the FromSoftware most sold game? ›

Elden Ring hits 23 million copies sold, cementing its status as best-selling FromSoftware game.

Which game is better than Elden Ring? ›

Dark Souls 3

Those who have played Elden Ring but haven't yet been through the Dark Souls series need to put it at the top of their list. This is perhaps the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of gameplay and combat, though it's not nearly as open-world as FromSoftware's latest offering.

Why are soul games so dark? ›

Soulslikes are all about constant soul-crushing defeat, so it makes sense to base everything in a place just as oppressive and somber as the gameplay.

What is the appeal of souls-like games? ›

Soulslike games are commonly defined by their dark fantasy setting and lack of overt storytelling, as well as their deep worldbuilding, with a captivating world being cited as key to spark players' desire to explore.

Why is Sekiro a soul like? ›

However, while Sekiro shares similarities with Soulslike games, core mechanics and gameplay elements such as the deflection system and grappling hook are not easily translated into traditional Souls gameplay, with FromSoftware avoiding overpowered defensive options and embracing restricted movement in its Souls games.

Is FromSoftware the best game studio? ›

FromSoftware Voted Best Game Developer Of The Industry.

How does FromSoft make such good games? ›

Often cited among the greatest video games ever made, their emphasis on high difficulty and environmental storytelling led to the creation of the Soulslike subgenre that include Bloodborne in 2015, Sekiro in 2019, and Elden Ring in 2022.

Why is Elden Ring so perfect? ›

What made Elden Ring so successful is that FromSoftware correctly identified the best aspects of Souls, and masterfully weaved them into a seamless open world, integrating innovation and new tricks in subtle but impactful ways.

Why is Elden Ring such a success? ›

The reasons for Elden Ring's incredible success expand beyond its similarities to its predecessors, its rich story, enchanting landscapes, and the efforts that went into its creation.

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