FromSoftware Should Exhume a Demon’s Souls Boss Design

FromSoftware Should Exhume a Demon's Souls Boss Design

As a seasoned Soulsborne veteran who’s traversed the treacherous landscapes of Boletaria, Lordran, Yharnam, and now the Elden Ring’s Erdtree, I can’t help but reminisce about the enigmatic Phalanx from Demon’s Souls. While the epic battles against knights and beasts have become the hallmark of this series, the Phalanx stands out as a testament to FromSoft’s creative prowess.


As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been captivated by FromSoftware’s Soulsborne series ever since I first delved into the dark, enigmatic world of Demon’s Souls. The foundations laid in that original game continue to echo throughout their subsequent releases. Recently, the bar-raising experience of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has left me in awe, but revisiting some of the lesser-explored aspects from its predecessor could breathe new life into future installments. The exhilarating combat that defined the most epic boss battles within Elden Ring is undoubtedly impressive, yet the intricate mechanics of one of the more challenging duels in Demon’s Souls demonstrate FromSoftware’s prowess beyond mere action.

In Soulsborne games, legendary conflicts between powerful knights and fearsome beasts are common, but the Phalanx encounter is unique and may require a different strategy. Unlike the boss battles of today, the Phalanx is an example of FromSoft’s innovative design that could offer a new perspective for what awaits us in future games, such as Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Demon’s Souls Phalanx Set the Tone for Unique FromSoft Boss Design

In the lineup of Demon’s Souls bosses, the Phalanx stands out as an intricately designed concept offering strategic complexity beyond typical combat. It appears as a cluster of dark masses, each wielding shields and spears; however, these are individual enemies sharing the health bar of the main boss. To inflict damage on the Phalanx, it’s essential to eliminate the Hoplite-like blob enemies first, which can be confusing for players during initial attempts. The Phalanx has a significant vulnerability to fire, but the Hoplites may regenerate after death and the boss itself can heal if it isn’t damaged promptly enough.

The Phalanx fight can feel as much like solving a puzzle as it does a battle, offering a more captivating challenge than typical Soulsborne bosses. Initially, it might seem daunting and require multiple attempts, but as players learn its tricks, it becomes less challenging on subsequent playthroughs. However, even with repeated encounters, the Phalanx is likely to remain memorable due to testing skills beyond just combat abilities. Unlike other games in the series where bosses are often straightforward gimmicks, the Phalanx straddles these categories, making it a great example of innovation within this genre.

FromSoftware’s Next Game Could Balance Its Boss Line-up By Taking Influences From Encounters like Phalanx

In my gaming experience, I’ve found that a diverse boss design can bring a thrilling twist to games that follow the footsteps of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. You see, Elden Ring has been all about the adrenaline rush from the tough combat encounters scattered across its open world and dungeons. To add an exciting layer to the next title, introducing mechanics similar to the Phalanx with its Hoplites could unlock new dimensions of experimentation in gameplay design.

As a passionate fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Instead of diving headfirst into the realm of cheesy tropes, as seen in characters like Rykard, both the Dragon God and Storm King seem to tread that line. However, the Phalanx manages to strike a perfect balance, offering players not only strategic gameplay but also direct involvement in the combat, elevating the gaming experience.

Although the boss may appear invincible at first sight, the Phalanx showcases the effective gameplay design of FromSoftware by being susceptible to fire, making it easier to handle. If players explore and make use of all their available tools early in the Demon’s Souls game, the fight becomes less daunting. By incorporating similar mechanics as the Hoplites into future battles, FromSoft’s upcoming projects could improve on some of the criticisms faced by the DLC of its critically-acclaimed title, Elden Ring.

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2024-08-23 03:03