Dark Souls has had a huge influence on the industry and gaming culture. Although it’s been years since Dark Souls’ release, its popularity is still increasing. With all of these sequels, remakes and re-releases planned over the next few years, what will be left to look back on in terms of Dark Soul’s legacy?
The “dark souls game of the century” is a video game created by From Software. It was released in 2011, and is still being played today. The game has received critical acclaim from many sources, and has been praised for its challenging gameplay, engaging story, and dark atmosphere. The game also spawned a series of sequels.
Part 2 of Dark Souls’ Influence and Legacy
The Souls-Inspired Games
Computer and video games
A presentation of the various titles inspired by the rich Souls series, as well as a broad history of Souls-like games since 2009’s Demon’s Souls, continues our investigation into FromSoftware’s legacy. The number of games that share part of that Souls DNA is far more than I had anticipated before writing this, with several triple-A games including more Souls characteristics than first seems. Many of the games here are worth checking out if you’re even somewhat interested in Souls. They range from game-of-the-year award winners to undiscovered indie treasures. Even if you have no interest in the FromSoftware formula, there’s a good chance you’ve played or seen something that was influenced by it in some manner. It’s worth noting that games I haven’t played don’t have extensive commentary, but it doesn’t make them any less valuable!
Demon’s Souls was released on October 6, 2009.
Demon’s Souls was the first game in FromSoftware’s core series, and it was also the beginning of the sub-genre currently known as “Soulslikes.” Of course, FromSoft had previously built the groundwork for the concept with their King’s Field series, which began with the PS1’s debut. The Demon’s Souls Remake for PlayStation 5 is a fantastic modern remake of FromSoft’s original Souls game. However you want to play Demon’s Souls, you’ll have a fantastic time as well as an interesting insight into how it all began, and the original still stands up well today.
22nd of September, 2011 – Dark Souls
While Demon’s Souls was the first game in the series, Dark Souls was where it truly took off. Dark Souls evolved from the previous game’s more linear hub-based advancement into a fully fledged open world that cycles in on itself, and what a fantastically rich world it is. Dark Souls, widely regarded as one of the finest games ever produced, dramatically expanded the construction diversity from their prior release and allowed for a far more open-ended play style overall. Whether you’re throwing magical darts at gargoyles or fighting insane Cthulhu monsters with a sword and board, you’ll still be travelling through Lordran, a region with enough flavor to win any Lord of the Rings fan’s affection. The environmental evolution follows a vertical escalation pattern reminiscent of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.
The dark depths of Quelaag’s Domain and Demon Ruins, the perilous prison fortress of Sen’s Fortress, and the ascent upwards to the gorgeous Anor Londo all have references to hell, purgatory, and paradise. The Souls series’ visual style, in general, is startlingly reminiscent to Gustave Dore’s grim Divine Comedy paintings from the 1800s. Perhaps it’s because of this creative stylization that I enjoy the Dark Souls trilogy and Demon’s Souls so much. It exudes a rich, idealized medieval look that piques my interest.
Illustrations for Dante’s Divine Comedy by Gustave Doré (1832-1883).
If the insatiably complex worldbuilding conveyed via the surroundings and artifacts isn’t enough for the lore nerd, the evident literary themes will be. For good cause, Dark Souls is the poster child of the “Souls” sub-genre and FromSoft’s overall portfolio.
Dark Souls 2 will be released on March 11, 2014.
It was never going to be easy to live up to the high expectations set by the surprise smash Dark Souls, but the sequel struggled at launch owing to many bugs and server troubles, as well as a general decline in level design from Dark Souls’ complexity. One explanation for the drop in quality might be the absence of series director Hidetaka Miyazaki from the sequel; he’s become something of a creative visionary for FromSoft, and has been a driving force behind every Souls game save Dark Souls 2. There are many of complaints about the sequel online, but my main one is the adversary location. Whereas Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls were continuously inventive with their demanding level layouts, the sequel here just added more duplicate adversaries to overwhelm and stretch out the game’s length and complexity. Dark Souls, for example, offered unique situational “puzzles” like archer knights flinging arrows at the player while they climbed perilously thin flying buttresses high in the sky, as well as traversing toxic marshes with deadly mosquitos attacking from all sides. One of the first significant locales you see is Heide’s Tower of Flame, a massive cathedral courtyard filled with the same two or three tower knights per “chamber” obstructing the way ahead – and that’s pretty much the end of the environmental obstacle.
Yes, luckily, this kind of opponent spam isn’t all over the place in DS2, but it is more common than in previous games and adds to the other concerns players have seen. DS2 is still a core Souls game with a lot of originality in terms of opponent graphic design, bosses, mood, and adventure. Some reviewers even consider this game to be among FromSoftware’s greatest, so give it a go to see whether you’re among those who love it.
28th of October, 2014 – Lords of the Fallen
The long-awaited successor to Dark Souls was eventually published a few months ago. Many fans have already begun their second playthrough of Dark Souls 2, while others were unimpressed by what is often regarded as the series’ worst chapter. Despite the dissatisfaction with the overall journey, there was still a lot of excitement for FromSoft’s sequel, since co-op and PVP were more active than ever. Then, in October, a new Souls-like game, this time from a totally different developer, is released. Lords of the Fallen is the first significant interpretation of the Souls series from a new studio, and it’s unabashedly labeled as a “Soulslike.” The game is essentially a Souls clone, albeit the content quality fell short of FromSoftware’s offerings, including Dark Souls 2. Though Lords of the Fallen wasn’t a direct competition to FromSoft, the Polish indie developers City Interactive and Deck 13 should be commended for their efforts in creating such a complicated game using the still-fresh Souls model.
Bloodborne was released on March 24, 2015.
Here’s the big one – or, more accurately, the other big one. Bloodborne is perhaps the most well-known FromSoft title to date. I’ve never seen a game with a more fervent audience than this one. Bloodborne is a real masterpiece in every sense of the term, combining gothic horror with fantasy role-playing into a gorgeous and interesting creation. The linearity of the construction playstyle distinguishes this game from the previous Souls titles. You can no longer play as the magician, pyromancer, or big bruiser that you could in earlier games. In this hunt, you have a specific role to perform, and the game benefits greatly from such a simplified and concentrated approach. Because there are no shields to hide behind, the gameplay mechanics are streamlined to make Bloodborne’s fast-paced action the best it can be without sacrificing quality. Even for shield mains like myself, the gun parrying is quick and exciting, and the trading-hits-for-recovery feature makes the no-shield gameplay appealing. Furthermore, the nimble movement has never been more fluid or sensitive as it is now. The history and worldbuilding are second to none, borrowing influence from Bram Stoker and Lovecraft with a really amazing spin on the genre, keeping true to FromSoft’s strengths.
Titan Souls – 14th of April, 2015
Titan Souls is a fun top-down Zelda-style game with obvious influences from Shadow of the Colossus and Dark Souls. Bosses are the meat and potatoes of this game; no, seriously, bosses are the whole game. The bosses are so amazing and so challenging that the shortage of levels is more than compensated for. The sprite art and monster designs are also outstanding.
Reverie in the Moonlight – Momodora – March 4, 2016
2D sprite art that’s been lovingly produced, Metroidvania design, and a Bloodborne aesthetic? Check. Man, I’ve been meaning to play this game for a long time now.
15 March 2016 – Salt and Sanctuary
Except in side-scrolling 2D, this is perhaps the most directly influenced by Souls of the lot. The game’s finest feature is the game’s innovative and well-implemented co-op mode. It’s totally and smoothly co-op throughout, something no other Souls game has managed to do so far. The platforming is excellent, and the narrative is conveyed well via item descriptions and UI architecture. Great co-op Souls-style game with a sequel due out this year.
Dark Souls 3 will be released on April 12, 2016.
The sequel to Dark Souls 2 arrives barely a year after FromSoft’s stunning Bloodborne. Dark Souls 3 is a terrific conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy, combining parts of the visual and pace of Bloodborne with the narrative and philosophy of Dark Souls. Yes, this is the last game in the Dark Souls series, as you may have deduced from the term “Fire Fades” in the edition if you purchased the trilogy. Dark Souls 3 contains, hands down, the best bosses of any Souls-like game. It also includes my favorite Dark Souls DLC, Ashes of Ariandel, a winter wonderland.
Since Dark Souls 3 is mostly hub-based with ties to the other zones, the level design hasn’t returned to the more open-ended character of the first Dark Souls. On the bright side, unlike Dark Souls 2, which had a more fragmented structure, every place is interconnected to create a unified environment. Dark Souls 3’s blaze has died down, but FromSoft is only getting started.
3 December 2016 – Let it Die
Nioh, Japan – 7 February 2017
Nioh adds sword postures and a Diablo-style loot economy to the Souls model. Seriously, the sword combat in this game is razor-sharp, and there are some incredible one-on-one duels to be fought. Nioh is an excellent pick if you’re looking for a contemporary Ninja Gaiden game or a superb samurai game in general.
7 February 2017 – Hollow Knight
We knew it was going to happen; we simply didn’t expect it to be this amazing. The Souls concept has been turned into a true 2D Side-scrolling Metroidvania, and it’s fantastic. With an average playtime of 40 hours on Howlongtobeat, it’s also fairly long for a side-scrolling Metroidvania and an independent game. While this 2D game lacks the co-op aspect of Salt and Sanctuary, the landscape and content are large enough that you won’t mind. The gameplay is very exact; in the manner of Super Meat Boy and Mega Man, this is a genuine precision platformer. The platforming and boss battles are well-designed, imaginative, and enjoyable, and the Metroid-style regions have excellent interconnection. This is not to be missed if you like platforming, Metroid, or Souls. Oh, and the bug characters are lovely, and I’m not going to argue with that.
I’m going to have to acquire a Grub plush.
May 10, 2017 – Dead Cells
29 August 2017 – Absolver
Cuphead will be released on September 29, 2017.
The finest boss battles in any 2D sidescroller, the best jazz soundtrack in any game, and a beautiful 1930s cartoon look. That music, too! Cuphead has just elevated the standard for video game jazz music to an outrageous degree, it’s that excellent.
What is it, exactly? Cuphead isn’t influenced by Souls in any way. That isn’t always the case. It’s merely a simple platformer with a concentration on really tough boss battles, but those boss fights do have a Souls-like quality to them. They come in waves, strike like a truck, and offer nothing more than grit and resolve as a path out. This year, I’m looking forward to the long-awaited Cuphead DLC!
God of War 4 will be released on April 20, 2018.
This is Sony Santa Monica’s relaunch of the God of War franchise, which is officially named God of War. As we get a closer behind-the-shoulder view of Kratos’ destruction, the arcadey action of the original God of War trilogy has been slowed down a touch.
It’s still an action game, but the fighting is influenced by the Souls series, with invincibility frame rolling, parrying, and sword swinging. Many things inspired 2018’s game of the year, including puzzles inspired by The Legend of Zelda, character dynamics inspired by The Last of Us, and, well, Norse mythology weaved through the lens of Greece’s god of war. The game’s director is a huge admirer of FromSoft’s Miyazaki.
Miyazaki-work san’s has had such an impact on games that I feel myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him. I feel like we barely touched the surface of what I wanted to talk about, so perhaps we’ll have another opportunity to talk in the future. 🤞❤️ pic.twitter.com/vwST4Swhnr
December 4, 2018 — cory barlog (@corybarlog)
This game is fantastic on almost every level and should not be overlooked, whether or not you are a fan of Souls!
7 December 2018 – Ashen
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be released on March 22, 2019.
As of this writing, FromSoftware’s newest epic, Sekiro, has been released. Do you recall how Nioh was essentially “Samurai Souls”? So, here’s a game that’s basically a samurai Souls game, and it’s incredible. Sekiro is the most linear and streamlined FromSoft game yet, with a highly focused sword fighting system meticulously developed as the game’s primary method of progression. The battle has been fine-tuned to perfection, far beyond the studio’s prior efforts. The ambiance of feudal fantasy Japan is also unique in FromSoft’s output, taking us away from the gloomy and damp medieval settings of earlier games and into the lovely meadows and rice fields of the east.
If you like highly detailed Japanese pampas fields and well-executed stealth features, this year’s game of the year is a home run. This game is worth playing just for the grappling hook.
Code Vein will be released on May 19, 2019.
Code Vein was billed as the “Anime Souls” we’d always wanted, but after a slew of delays, the excitement for the game’s release waned. The game had mixed reviews, but after playing it, I’m left wondering why it didn’t get more attention. I stated it before in my in-depth evaluation of the game, but it bears repeating: Of all the Souls-likes, Code Vein offers the most detailed characterisation and party dynamics. Yes, the characters aren’t particularly distinctive or well-developed, but there is plenty of group banter and camaraderie, much like in a standard JRPG. And that’s exactly what this is: a Souls-style JRPG. Aside from the plot and characters, the fundamental combat and level design are also fantastic. With a fantastic torch-lighting dungeon and some of the game’s most spectacular moments, Code Vein boasts my favorite swamp level in any Souls-like to date. The picture mode is also much superior to what it should be, and it allows you to stop the game.
Take a look at this pixelated picture filter; it looks great, even with my obnoxious invented character in the frame. On my blog, you may read my Code Vein review.
From the Ashes – Remnant – August 16, 2019
The Surge 2 will be released on September 23, 2019.
Death Stranding will be released on November 8, 2019.
Okay, this is a bit of a hack, but let’s be honest: Kojima was undoubtedly inspired by Dark Souls’ assistance messages and cheerful collaboration… I’m not sure whether he was inspired by a Del Toro film and decided to integrate online player assistance in the creation of world components such as bridges.
The release date for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is November 10, 2019.
This isn’t a make-believe inclusion: Star Wars Souls is, in reality, Fallen Order. This is exactly what I’ve always wanted: to die in gruesome lightsaber battles and to tumble into holes and booby-trapped ruins all throughout the galaxy far, far away. In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the “bonfire” concept and overall harsh combat of Souls is incorporated in a really interesting manner. The interpersonal interactions are fantastic throughout the book, just as they are in Code Vein. For current Star Wars, the plot is rather nice, and this is EA stretching out and finally doing something new with the Star Wars IP after what feels like an eternity, so it’s the beginning of a new age in Star Wars gaming. It’s a fantastic Star Wars game, a fantastic Souls-like game, and an all-around fantastic game. This is a must-play game, particularly if you appreciate Star Wars and Souls as I do. Check out my review to learn more of my ideas.
Blasphemy – 10th of December, 2019
Mortal Shell will be released on August 18, 2020.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be released on September 21, 2021.
A new action-adventure game comes from the team behind the finest Majora’s Mask animation ever made. Kena is reminiscent of a classic Gamecube adventure game like Star Fox Adventure, but with a few contemporary tweaks. For example, I kept wanting to play Zelda: Breath of the Wild because of the exploration, treasures, puzzles, and atmosphere, yet the wonderful bugginess of the unseen walls and platforms reminded me of those early Gamecube games. Kena is a game that improves as you advance through it, since the actual highlight of the game is the fighting, which reaches its pinnacle at the conclusion. From the second mask onwards, every boss fight is incredible – Dark Souls incredible, in fact. The parrying timing, fluidity, and creative boss phases all filled that Souls hunger, and then there came the final fight, and… well, it was incredible. Kena begins slowly and picks up steam in the middle, keeping the ignition turned on until the very end, yet the nostalgia and charm remain continuous throughout.
Cogen: Sword of Rewind will be released on January 27, 2022.
Here’s one I recently did last month that’s still pretty undiscovered. Cogen is essentially a Mega Man “clone” with the difficulty ratcheted up owing to the one-hit death mechanism. This may deter some players, but the difficulty is always fair, not just because there are no gotcha traps like Quick Man’s tunnel memorization in Mega Man 2 or unexpected spike traps, but also because you may rewind up to three times depending on how full your ouroboros meter is. The limited rewinds behave like lives, thereby disproving the idea that you only receive one shot; you really get three “lives” depending on timing, the amount of rewinds in the meter, and where you trigger it. Rewind, on the other hand, is significantly better than just having lives since it allows you control over when and when you activate that life. The task in this game is formidable, but the game’s duration, sadly or not, is not. There are five levels in all, with five super versions of those stages that continue the tale in Nier Automata style. Though it has some ridiculous animation that I couldn’t entirely get, the plot and characters are well-written, and I like it for its charm and flair. Oh, and it does, whether it understands it or not, respect the Souls heritage in the same way I believe Cuphead does. Sure, it’s tough in the same sense as Souls is; every hit you take is a hair’s width away from a checkpoint reset. That isn’t new to Souls, but the way it makes the player feel is, that particular sense of success that comes from defeating a true task that was fair and hard-won and, in the end, a lot of fun. Many games in the NES period were very challenging, yet they were seldom fair. Demon’s Souls isn’t always fair, but with choices like over-leveling and build variation, you can get a little closer to a fair battle. Cogen lacks construction diversity and other features, yet it is designed fairly. It’s the difference between a well-designed challenge and one that just kicks your teeth in without providing anything in the way of protection; the latter isn’t enjoyable. Perhaps I’m mistaken; perhaps I’m simply trying to promote Cuphead and Cogen. You make the decision. 😛
PSX – January 31, 2022 – Bloodborne Demake
Yes, there is now a PS1-style version of Bloodborne that goes all the way up to Father Gascoigne, and it’s free.
Elden Ring will be born on February 25, 2022.
Hype! FromSoftware’s first genuinely open-world game is Elden Ring. Breath of the Wild promises to be open in a manner that rivals Dark Souls, with open boss order and route selection. The game’s premise and history have been influenced by George R. R. Martin, but what gets me most thrilled is the tangible steed whistle that comes with my pre-order.
2022 – Final Fantasy Stranger of Paradise
This game, dubbed “Final Fantasy Souls,” will have everything of the fat rolling, invincibility frames, parrying, and bonfire checkpoint system from Souls. Square Enix doesn’t hold back when it comes to paying respect to the Souls formula. I’m guessing the plot and character interactions will be similar to Code Vein, but with a lot more KILLING CHAOS!!!
Anyway, maybe that’s more of a list of Souls-likes throughout the years than a proper retrospective. I believe it’s important to consider the impact of the Souls formula on the gaming industry via the games that have come out since it started, and compiling this list was a lot of fun. These games have carried on the heritage of FromSoftware’s Souls series, with no fewer than three of them receiving game of the year awards from prominent magazines (Bloodborne, God of War 4, Sekiro). In games, we’ll definitely see more bonfire checkpoints, backstory revealed via things, atmospheric richness, show-don’t-tell, and so on as the years pass. Even a well-known series like Star Wars used some of FromSoftware’s formula in Fallen Order. With Elden Ring coming on Friday, February 25th, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that FromSoft offers fresh variants of their concept in the future to encourage even more creators. What games are you looking forward to playing? Let me know what you think in the comments! Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Dark Souls is a game that has been praised for its unique gameplay and dark atmosphere. The creator of the series, Hidetaka Miyazaki, continues to explore new ways to make Dark Souls more engaging. Reference: miyazaki dark souls.
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