Controlling the lion's share of the gaming conversation in 2022, Elden Ring is FromSoftware's greatest success to date. Not only is it the company's fastest-selling game, but its popularity clearly speaks for itself. Given the game's runaway success as well as FromSoftware's tradition of developing and releasing sizable DLC expansions for its games, it was almost a foregone conclusion that fans would be getting more Elden Ring at some point. Aside from the announced Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, however, FromSoftware should take the leap and deliver even more to fans in a direct sequel or prequel to Elden Ring.
Soulsborne titles such as Bloodborne and Sekiro have yet to receive proper sequels despite immense critical acclaim and fan reception. With Elden Ring being FromSoftware's breakthrough success, it may be time for the company to buck a longstanding tradition and develop a full sequel or prequel game that takes place in the Lands Between. Whether a prequel game placing players before the events of the first game or a sequel continuing the events of Elden Ring, there are plenty of reasons for FromSoftware to continue utilizing the excellent open world it has created.
Miyazaki Was Originally Against the Idea of Dark Souls Sequels
Part of the reason for the approach taken for Dark Souls' numbered sequels may rest on creator Hidetaka Miyazaki's known stance against making sequels to games. Miyazaki has previously stated that the development of sequels was less exciting to him than the forging of new creative territory through new IP. Despite this apprehension about creating sequels to his games, Miyazaki approved of Dark Souls 2 based on the fact that it took place in a slightly different setting and that development was overseen by a new team, instead of Miyazaki himself taking over directorial duties.
With Elden Ring somewhat of a spiritual successor to Dark Souls as well as an evolution of the Soulsborne formula into an open-world setting, a potential sequel or prequel might need to meet either of the conditions of the Dark Souls sequels in order for Miyazaki to deem it a worthy project. The first possibility is that Miyazaki may pass the torch to a new director to envision the sequel to Elden Ring taking place in a different area of the Lands Between. The other potential outcome is that the game takes place on the same map as Elden Ring but in a different time period, creating an entirely new set of challenges and bosses to overcome with loosely connected lore to the original game similar to Dark Souls 3.
It does seem unlikely, but if there were ever a time or game to buck tradition for, it's Elden Ring. There is so much sheer potential in a full-blown prequel or sequel to the game.
What a Prequel to Elden Ring Set in the Lands Between Could Include
The possibility of the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC to explore the Greater Will in more depth and delve into the Golden Order, Malenia's brother Miquella, and so on sets up the perfect opportunity for a full-game prequel to Elden Ring rather than a sequel, going even further back than this. The complicated and rich lore of Elden Ring provides players with plenty of clues as to how the Lands Between came to be and provides insight into the conflict that arose between the different factions in service of the Greater Will and those before its ascension. Most of what players learn about in Elden Ring has already taken place, making a prequel game the perfect option to place players directly into battles they've only read about.
Giving fans the opportunity to play a direct role in the conflict between the children in the line of Marika could create a compelling conflict for the prequel game while also having implications regarding how players come to view the events that take place in Elden Ring. Additionally, by having the game take place on the same map but hundreds or thousands of years before the series of events in Elden Ring, there's a possibility for FromSoftware to reuse the existing open world they've created but shake up the appearance of locations and enemy or dungeon placements. After all, there's more history in its lore than just Marika's line. What may have been ruined in the original game could become flourishing fortresses or cities in a prequel to Elden Ring.
How Elden Ring Could Depart from FromSoftware Tradition in a Sequel
Part of the reason behind players not receiving second entries to the Bloodborne or Sekiro series rests on the aforementioned apprehension of sequels held by Miyazaki. Since the Dark Souls series is the only FromSoftware property to exist as part of a trilogy and receive loosely-connected sequels, a direct follow-up to Elden Ring would see the developer breaking its previous stance on sequels to its games. Along with this breaking of tradition regarding sequels, FromSoftware could greatly surprise fans regarding what this potential game might include.
An Elden Ring sequel could still take place in the Lands Between but transport players to an entirely different section of the map. Alternatively, the game could take place thousands of years after the events of Elden Ring and see a new tarnished rise (or whatever they would be called) for a new task. Both through shaking up the established gameplay and narrative, a potential sequel to Elden Ring could pull the rug out from players by disrupting what fans have come to expect regarding a FromSoftware sequel.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.