Summary
The last couple of years have been great for FromSoftware fans thanks to the launch ofElden RingandArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Although these games serve different audiences, both share FromSoftware’s signatures of demanding gameplay, interesting worlds, and plenty of customization.Elden Ringgained massive acclaim for bringing theSoulsformula into an open-world, whileArmored Core 6brought its franchise back after a decade-long hiatus and gave mecha fans another strong entry in their underserved genre. These games achieved different kinds of success, but they are appreciated nonetheless.
At the moment,Elden Ringis headed towards its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, whileArmored Core 6continues receiving updates that may culminate in an expansion of its own. FromSoftware’s plans after that are unknown, but fans could be looking at a new game from the studio in a few years. Chances are this title will join either the mecha or fantasy legacies thatmost of FromSoftware’s library draw their settings from, but it doesn’t need to follow a single tradition. FromSoftware shouldn’t shy away from mixing its old ideas to find niches it hasn’t touched yet.
Soulslike Fantasy and Armored Core Sci-Fi Have Stayed Mutually Exclusive So Far
While there has been a lot of variety in FromSoftware’s storied history, two throughlines of fantasy titles recalling elements ofKing’s Fieldand mecha games either inspired by or directly part ofArmored Core, have been constants. Not only have these two groups maintained consistent visual and narrative identities, but also mechanical ones.TheKing’s Fieldline culminated inDemon’s Soulsand FromSoftware’s other Soulslikes, butArmored Corepersists as itself even after becoming the foundation for various mech games and even licensed titles.
FromSoftware Can’t Return To Old Genre Divisions Again
These groups of FromSoftware games have been so rigidly defined that there was fan skepticism over whetherArmored Core 6could handle integratingSoulsfeatures. It ended up striking a good balance between that and tradition, but the fact remains that any science fiction titles FromSoftware makes are more likely to followArmored Core’s template thanKing’s FieldorSouls.Bloodborneis the greatest aesthetic deviationa Soulslike game has seen under FromSoftware’s roof so far, and theSoulsformula has the potential to do so much more. Even asArmored Corelives on as a distinct experience, FromSoftware shouldn’t be afraid to introduce a similar futuristic setting in a Soulslike title.
Armored Core’s General Setting Would Work Great In A Souls Game
As the genre codifier, FromSoftwareSoulsgames set a strong example that imitators rarely deviate from. Off-kilter dark fantasy is the norm in Soulslikes, with that description being equally appropriate acrossNioh,Remnant, andLies of P. Deck13 Interactive’sThe Surgeseries may be the furthest any Soulslike has strayed from the fantasy core ofDemon’s Souls, taking place in a far-flung future where rampant mechanization and AI have produced the same scenarios as any other Soulslike game.The Surgehas its merits, but FromSoftware needs to take a crack at the same concept.
Stepping Into Sci-Fi Would Be A Big Soulslike Shake-Up
Not enough futuristic or cyberpunk Soulslikes are being made, and it falls to FromSoftware once again to set the trend for them. It doesn’t need to focus on mecha or their pilots likeArmored Coredoes, and the two IPs should be able to coexist without their identities overlapping.A sci-fi Soulslike from FromSoftwarewould also be a breath of fresh air after prior Souls games have exhaustively covered fantasy themes and iconography. WithArmored Corehopefully continuing pastArmored Core 6, FromSoftware should take a chance at sending the Souls genre to times and places still ripe for exploration.
