The Best FromSoftware Tropes – Investment Policy

Summary

FromSoftware games feature key recurring elements like peaceful home bases and cursed immortality.
Endings are morally ambiguous, emphasizing complex emotions of melancholy and new reality.
Corrupt monarchs and inescapable cycles are woven into the game narratives.

Enthusiasts of FromSoftware games are well-aware that despite the distinctiveness of each title, they often revisit appealing concepts in a unique way. This repetition is part of what sets their games apart and it seems unusual to imagine any future FromSoftware game without these delightful quirks.

FromSoftware doesn’t shy away from embracing their recurring themes, whether it’s the popular “level-up character” or the intriguing interplay between sorrow and insanity. This ranking is based solely on how deeply each theme resonates and contributes to the distinctive experience offered by FromSoftware games.

The Peaceful Home Base

A Moment’s Respite

Firelink Shrine, Roundtable Hold, and The Master’s Workshop from Sekiro.

In FromSoftware’s games, the worlds are often on the brink of apocalypse or total ruin, creating quite somber environments. Yet, in every game, players find a tranquil sanctuary where they can momentarily escape the harsh realities when they need a break.

These spots are known for their distinctive music, intriguing characters who move plots forward, and essential merchants to foster ongoing development. They are the sort of places that make you feel at home, and they frequently become the most memorable locations within each game. It’s challenging to envision _Dark Souls_ without Firelink Shrine, as it serves as a vital link connecting the series as a whole.

No “Good” Ending

Moral Ambiguity

Multiple endings per game, few of them straightforwardly good.

In most conventional role-playing games (RPGs), there is a clear, morally just conclusion where players can confidently claim they made the right choices. On the other hand, games developed by FromSoftware seldom provide such comfort, even though their endings, no matter how challenging to reach, don’t typically offer an unambiguous sense of moral satisfaction.

In contrast, even though each game by FromSoftware offers several conclusions, their endings often carry a touch of melancholy or peculiarity rather than being straightforwardly positive or negative. They usually represent a complex blend that hints at reluctance to let go of the past or stepping into an unfamiliar and daunting new world.

The Dying Stagnant World

Putrification

Players rarely find somewhere nice to visit.

For those new to FromSoftware games, it’s worth noting that while each title boasts an intricate narrative, the worlds within these games are often desolate, near-dead, and teetering on the brink of utter ruin. There are typically no surviving civilizations left in these worlds.

One key element in the storytelling of FromSoftware is their recurring theme: the acceptance of an old world passing away and giving birth to a new one, often at the cost of more pain and devastation. The landscapes they create are bleak yet retain a striking, desolate beauty, making it understandable why players yearn to revisit them again.

The Friendly Doomed Blacksmith

A Rare Friendly Face

Hewg, The Giant Blacksmith, and Blacksmith Andre are prime examples.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to admit, FromSoftware games have this tough-as-nails reputation that can be a bit intimidating at first. But once you dive in, it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, in the realms of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, the game developers have been super generous with a plethora of customization options for our gear. That means every battle can be tailored to make it less of a struggle and more of a strategic dance.

The amiable blacksmith character plays a crucial role in this process. Although they vary in each game, this individual upgrades the player’s weapons with wise advice, often portraying the saddest characters within their respective games. They serve as a beacon of light amidst the grim world and are cherished by fans.

Inescapable Cycles

Cosmological Doom Spiral

All worlds are designed to spiral inwards.

For a while now, it’s been noted that FromSoftware games excel at merging Western fantasy aesthetics with Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Shinto in a way no one else does. These games focus on relinquishing power and ties to the physical world, aiming for spiritual growth or advancement instead.

Typically, the world is falling apart due to an unwillingness among people to pass away. An undeath curse taints these realms irreversibly, causing them to crumble beyond recognition. In the game Dark Souls 3, the catastrophic effects of this metaphysical decay are evident in a world where time and space have ceased to exist. The only method to break free from recurring cycles of destruction is to accept a future unlike anything that has gone before, which involves defeating a formidable final opponent.

The Corrupt Monarch

Heavy Lies The Head

Corrupt monarchs are featured in every Dark Souls games and Elden Ring.

In FromSoftware games, players seldom encounter common warriors as final battles. Instead, the rulers of each realm are frequently depicted as corrupted, malevolent, or significantly flawed characters who grapple with their metaphysical existence.

FromSoftware seems to express a degree of skepticism towards the moral integrity of rulers, as depicted by characters such as Gwyn, who eternally protects the Age of Fire; Vendrick, reduced by his own ambition; and Marika, whose sins are countless.

Undeath

Cursed Immortality

Most characters in the Dark Souls games are undead, and it’s a big part of Sekiro as well.

In nearly every game developed by FromSoftware, the theme of being brought back from the dead resurfaces frequently. The Dark Souls series revolves heavily around an undead curse, undeath is integral to Sekiro’s storyline, and Bloodborne delves deeply into the blurred lines between death and dreams.

In a more conversational tone, one could say: Unlike the common belief of eternal life being desirable, FromSoftware games portray the pursuit of immortality as one of humanity’s worst ambitions. Instead, they suggest that undeath results in ruin, stagnation, and decay. Yet, these games have a peculiar way of making death and dying nobly an integral part of their design, which may seem grim but is surprisingly uplifting given the themes of overcoming tough obstacles and seemingly impossible situations.

The Level-Up Lady

A Nurturing Touch

Melina, Shanalotte, Lady Emma (sort of), The Fire Keeper, The Doll, and more.

In games developed by FromSoftware, it’s rare to find locations that feel cozy or safe. Instead, many characters are odd or harbor sinister intentions towards the player. However, there’s always an exception, and in these games, that exception is usually the ‘Level-Up Lady’. This woman, with a hint of mystical aura, is often the provider of the player’s power, allowing them to become stronger as they progress through the game.

Since the introduction of Demon’s Souls, these female characters have been a constant presence in Soulslike games. While their central roles in each game’s story may vary, they are consistently among the most cherished characters within their respective titles. It’s challenging to envision a contemporary FromSoftware Soulslike game without a notable female protagonist.

2025-08-08 10:35