Highlights

  • FromSoftware continues to push the envelope with each new title, culminating in the massive open-world RPG Elden Ring.
  • PvP has been a consistent element in FromSoftware's games, with dedicated efforts to enhance the competitive multiplayer experience.
  • It may be time for FromSoftware to revamp its PvP approach to attract new players and balance resources for future success.

Over the past decade, FromSoftware has evolved into one of the most highly-rated developers in the industry. The team behind the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has consistently found ways to iterate on its own formula, pushing the envelope further with each new title. This culminated with 2022's massive open-world RPG Elden Ring, a title that managed to shatter all expectations, elevating FromSoftware to a whole new level in the process. While each title has its own merits, almost all of them share certain traits, and it feels like one trait in particular has reached a crossroads: PvP.

FromSoftware's modus operandi is to create particularly challenging games that push the player to their limits. While (almost) always remaining fair, they nevertheless force players to find creative ways to overcome some of the most well-designed levels and boss encounters in video game history. Outside the often lengthy single-player campaigns, the bulk of FromSoftware's games also offer deep, if somewhat complex, PvP options, for those who would rather pit their wits against fellow players than the game's enemies. In order to activate PvP, players usually have to follow a convoluted set of instructions, including using specific items at the right time. This caters to a very specific set of FromSoftware's loyal fan base, but it might be time to revamp this thought process entirely.

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FromSoftware's Dedication to PvP Has Been Consistent

Ever since Demon's Souls was released for the PS3 in 2009, FromSoftware has attempted to incorporate PvP into its projects. Players are able to invade each others' worlds in order to either fight each other, or in some cases join forces and fight bosses together, which would usually result in the boss having extra health and being generally tougher in order to compensate. Scattered throughout many of the Souls games are also bosses which directly incorporate PvP. The Old Monk, Looking Glass Knight, and Halflight, Spear of the Church are all examples of bosses which, if playing online, will try to either summon or become human invaders to fight the player during the battle.

Generally speaking though, these bosses don't tend to strike the right note among fans. PvP and the single-player campaign are better kept separate, allowing for those who prefer one over the other to experience it without anything getting in the way. As recently as Elden Ring, FromSoftware has shown its dedication to PvP, even releasing a huge update solely focused on fleshing out the 2022 Game of the Year's competitive multiplayer offering. The free DLC opened up three previously inaccessible colosseums for players to participate in various modes including team battles and duels.

It Could Be Time for FromSoftware to Switch Up its PvP

Whatever FromSoftware's next Souls game is, it is clear that its PvP offering needs a revamp. Changing the way it works, however that may look, could see it reach new heights, and perhaps begin to appeal to the many players who have previously found it too convoluted and complex to bother with. Simplifying the way it works, or offering rewards that are carried across to the single-player campaign, could be a great way of attracting new players.

That being said, a perfectly valid argument could be made for FromSoftware not to waste resources on upgrading its PvP, when such a large portion of its fans are far more interested in the single-player content. Should the Japanese developer instead devote those same resources to further enhancing its formula, making tweaks in order to keep it fresh and exciting, it's a safe bet to assume that the next Souls project from Hidetaka Miyazaki's team will be just as successful as Elden Ring has been.