FromSoftware may have enjoyed a massive leap in popularity with the Dark Souls games, but the developer has certainly not played it safe following the release of these seminal games. This has proven to be the right move, as experimentation and innovation has led to critically acclaimed titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring. Still, as FromSoftware plans for the future, it may stick to its roots with Dark Souls 4, which would be a welcome return to form.

As something of a spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls made a splash in the world of gaming thanks to its uncompromising difficulty, interconnected map design, esoteric lore, and commitment to delivering on a unique vision. The Dark Souls games improved upon the foundations laid by Demon’s Souls, ultimately paving the way for Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, two games with wildly different settings, premises, and combat systems, but with a number of systems and features familiar to Dark Souls fans. Elden Ring had combat that was most similar to Dark Souls, but was still probably the greatest shift away from the traditional formula, expanding upon Dark Souls elements while adding an open world – a first for the developer.

How Dark Souls 4 Could Be a Much-Needed Return to FromSoftware’s Roots

The Dark Souls games, despite being somewhat open-ended via backtracking opportunities and side content, were decidedly linear in design. This linearity may seem quaint or restrictive now, especially to players who go back to Dark Souls after finishing Elden Ring, but it allows for several aspects that are arguably superior to Elden Ring. The dark fantasy setting of the series also opens the door to exciting and satisfying RPG systems, ones that were missing from Bloodborne and Sekiro.

The Benefits of the Dark Souls Structure

The semi-linear design of the Dark Souls games offers unique opportunities that aren’t compatible with Elden Ring‘s open-world design (or Armored Core 6‘s level-based structure, for that matter). While going back to the more contained approach of Dark Souls may seem like a step down from Elden Ring‘s sprawling map, the smaller scope allows for a number of more detailed and concise environments. Most of Elden Ring‘s most memorable locations are, in many ways, closer to the areas in Dark Souls than the huge landscapes that characterize most open world games, which proves how effective bespoke, small-scope areas can be.

Essentially, a new Dark Souls would be leaner than Elden Ring, though with a higher concentration of tailored, memorable locations. This approach to game design also helps with pacing, as the game is constantly evoking a sense of progression as players cut through each area.

Essentially, a new Dark Souls would be leaner than Elden Ring , though with a higher concentration of tailored, memorable locations.

Dark Souls 4 Could Further Polish Soulslike Combat

While games like Sekiro and Bloodborne fit the description of linear Soulslikes, they stand apart from Dark Souls in how they handle combat. Both games encourage aggressive play and de-emphasize varied classes, with Sekiro being much more like a traditional action game than an action-RPG. In some ways, these combat systems can be seen as even better than typical Soulslike combat, as they enhance and remix the basics of the genre. By returning to the linear, dark fantasy basics of the Dark Souls franchise, FromSoftware could continue to flesh out the classic combat mechanics of slow-deliberate movement, while allowing for even further build diversity.

Although games like Elden Ring are similar to Dark Souls, the latter is still a distinct and crucial part of gaming history. FromSoftware’s Dark Souls inheritors all have plenty going for them, but there are no doubt countless fans who are ready for a return to the more straightforward, classic fantasy setting of Lordran.