Elden Ring’s Weapon Approach May Rain on the Next FromSoft Game’s Parade

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Elden Ring's Weapon Approach May Rain on the Next FromSoft Game's Parade

Highlights

  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expands Elden Ring’s arsenal with new weapons and categories.
  • The future of FromSoftware titles may benefit from a more focused approach to weapon design.
  • Bloodborne’s smaller weapon selection and Sekiro’s one-weapon focus may serve as a model for the next FromSoftware game.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that FromSoftware has consistently delivered masterpieces that push the boundaries of what is possible in video games. The latest expansion for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, has once again proven their exceptional skill in weapon design and gameplay mechanics. However, as a long-time fan, I can’t help but feel that it might be time for FromSoftware to shake things up a bit.

Prior to the launch of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring, fans had high expectations, hoping for significant enhancements to the diverse and powerful weapon collection in the original game. Not only does the expansion offer a host of new favorite weapons within their respective categories, but it also introduces entirely new weapon categories that were previously unknown in either Elden Ring or any other FromSoftware game. The expanded arsenal in Elden Ring following the DLC is so extensive and impressive that it leaves one wondering about the possibilities for future development.

The DLC for “Elden Ring,” titled “The Shadow of the Erdtree,” introduces significant expansions to the game’s weapon collection, further dividing existing types into sub-categories. For instance, there are now standard and light greatswords, thrusting shields, great katanas, along with entirely new weapons, enlarging the game’s already extensive armory in both quantity and variety. However, this growth in “Elden Ring”‘s weapon collection might limit the potential for future expansion in FromSoftware games. Instead, perhaps the next title from FromSoftware could adopt a more compact approach similar to “Bloodborne” or “Sekiro.”

A Bloodborne-Style Approach Could Emphasize Quality Over Quantity

It’s unclear what FromSoftware’s next venture will be, but hints from Hidetaka Miyazaki indicate that he may still be working on his dream RPG. This could mean a project even more ambitious than Elden Ring is on the horizon. While we wait, there are numerous other FromSoftware titles that can serve as inspiration for new experiences, such as how their next game might tackle key elements of their games like buildcraft and character development. Among these titles, Bloodborne stands out for offering players a good balance of agency and manageable content in terms of expressing themselves and wielding weapons.

Bloodborne Trick Weapons are a Great Formula to Build On

In Bloodborne, the combination of Trick Weapons and secondary armaments offers players numerous opportunities to showcase their creativity in character development and gameplay, albeit on a smaller scale compared to Elden Ring. Bloodborne features fewer than 50 weapons (excluding Hunter Tools), far less than the hundreds of potential weapons available in Elden Ring. However, where Bloodborne excels is that each of its weapons can be effective with various playstyles and character builds. In contrast, while Elden Ring boasts an extensive collection of weapons and equipment, surpassing any other FromSoftware game, many of these remain unused by players once they’ve found their preferred options.

FromSoftware’s Next Title Could Take a Cue From Sekiro and Focus on a Singular Weapon

Prior to the release of Elden Ring, offering an extensive open world and an extensive array of customizable equipment for players to explore and conquer encounters in The Lands Between, FromSoftware had already gained acclaim with a game that remains a favorite among many fans: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This title demonstrated that FromSoftware was capable of crafting a game with demanding yet captivating combat mechanics that did not strictly follow the pattern set by Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. It is possible that the next project from FromSoftware may intentionally simplify its scope to concentrate on a solitary weapon or martial art style, rather than aiming for more scale after Elden Ring.

Why Elden Ring’s Successor May Be Another Creative Leap

Following Miyazaki’s interview after the launch of Bloodborne (as mentioned in Future Press’ Bloodborne guide), it was revealed that FromSoftware’s president often adopts a “virtual pendulum” mindset when creating games, meaning each new title typically swings to an opposite approach compared to his previous work. Given this, it seems reasonable to anticipate that FromSoftware’s next game might not focus on surpassing Elden Ring in terms of weapon variety but rather choose a different direction while leveraging the studio’s unique strengths instead.

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2024-08-05 13:33