How FromSoftware’s Next Game Can Make Starting Classes a Bigger Feature

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How FromSoftware's Next Game Can Make Starting Classes a Bigger Feature

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating the treacherous landscapes of FromSoftware games, I can confidently say that each new release from this esteemed studio feels like a homecoming of sorts. The Soulsborne subgenre is one I hold dear, and Elden Ring, being the latest addition to their illustrious lineup, did not disappoint.

In their unique niche, FromSoftware’s Souls series often leads the way, with games such as Elden Ring shaping the industry and frequently acting as models for other developers to follow. Essentially, Elden Ring brought a host of innovations to the traditional FromSoftware recipe, making the subgenre more inviting than ever while still maintaining a balance between approachability and challenge.

Yet, one aspect that Elden Ring seems to have carried over from FromSoftware’s previous games, but hasn’t yet fully realized its potential, is the character classes for players. If optimized, this feature could significantly enhance the RPG elements of the subgenre, given its current state offers minimal long-term impact.

Future FromSoftware Games Can Take Their RPG Elements to the Next Level

As an ardent Elden Ring enthusiast, I’ve noticed that while the character classes initially seem to offer unique starting points or aesthetics, they often become inconsequential during gameplay. Many players, including myself, tend to obscure their characters under layers of armor. Moreover, most items, weapons, and armor gained through class selection can be discovered organically within the game world. Consequently, the initial choice of character class in Elden Ring appears to have minimal impact on the overall gaming experience.

Despite players frequently concealing their character’s personality beneath multiple layers of armor, the roleplaying opportunities embedded within the character classes persist, provided players continue to embody their characters. For example, proficient players in the game’s lore might rigidly adhere to weapon types and magic schools within Elden Ring that align with their class, such as a Raya Lucarian scholar who exclusively wields Glintstone Sorceries.

Instead of just role-playing, it’s also beneficial to select a character class because you acquire an item, weapon, or armor set right at the beginning of the game. This is advantageous for Elden Ring’s speedrunning community, but keep in mind that most of the gear these starting classes can access can be discovered early during gameplay and tends to be outclassed by late-game equipment. Therefore, the time it takes to obtain these items is relatively inconsequential compared to the overall gameplay.

Beyond ordinary gameplay in Elden Ring and other titles from FromSoftware like the Souls series, not giving character classes any meaningful impact could be seen as a missed opportunity. Reflecting on this, future games might strive to delve deeper into the possibilities that character classes offer.

While the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC might mark the end of Elden Ring’s significant content updates, this type of change could nevertheless be a delightful extension to the game.

How FromSoftware Can Make Future Souls Games’ Character Classes More Meaningful

In future FromSoftware games after Elden Ring, enhancing starting character classes by specializing them in specific weapon types or magical schools could provide deeper meaning, as most players tend to use these features extensively. However, restricting build possibilities might be seen as a step back compared to the diverse build crafting options in Elden Ring. A more balanced approach might involve offering unique gameplay interactions based on character class without limiting build flexibility.

This approach might involve varying dialogue options and enemy behaviors, with some being naturally aggressive while others remain neutral. On an intensified scale, it could also signify diverse methods for players to advance questlines, possibly resulting in distinct conclusions or entirely novel endings. Such a feature could propel FromSoftware’s RPG aspects to greater heights, adding an additional depth of replayability to their games.

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2024-09-13 21:03