Dark Souls 2: How It Influenced Elden Ring's Development

Was Dark Souls 2 really a stepping stone to the critically acclaimed Elden Ring? Hidetaka Miyazaki, president of FromSoftware, believes so, considering the controversial title a crucial project in the studio's journey. This article explores how this divisive game paved the way for future successes, including the revolutionary open-world design of Elden Ring.

FromSoftware has enjoyed a remarkable run of successful releases. The 2022 launch of Elden Ring redefined the soulslike genre with its sprawling open-world map, a departure from the linear progression seen in earlier titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. The subsequent Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC further solidified the game's popularity.

But how did FromSoftware arrive at this point? What were the key moments that shaped their development philosophy? Miyazaki himself credits Dark Souls 2 as a vital piece of the puzzle.

Miyazaki's Perspective on Dark Souls 2's Impact

In an interview, Miyazaki discussed the significance of Dark Souls 2 in FromSoftware's evolution. While acknowledging the game's controversial status due to its enhanced difficulty and combat changes, he emphasized its positive contributions. Directed by Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura, with Miyazaki supervising, Dark Souls 2 faced both critical acclaim and considerable criticism.

“In regards to Dark Souls 2, I actually personally think this was a really great project for us, and I think without it, we wouldn’t have had a lot of the connections and a lot of the ideas that went forward and carried the rest of the series,” Miyazaki explained. Was this controversial game really that important?

Despite its mixed reception compared to other FromSoftware titles, Dark Souls 2 maintains a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its challenging gameplay and unique design choices. Similar to Elden Ring, it deviates from the series' traditional linear structure, offering players a more open and exploratory experience.

Miyazaki also expressed regret about his supervisory role during the development of Dark Souls 2, stating, “I think a supervisor role for me is just something I’m not used to and just is maybe not quite a good fit.”

How Dark Souls 2 Laid the Groundwork

Beyond Miyazaki's personal feelings, Dark Souls 2 played a crucial role in FromSoftware's evolution, ultimately contributing to the creation of Elden Ring. According to Miyazaki, the experience allowed for "different [director] impetus and have those different ideas and make those different connections that we otherwise might not have had."

Given the similarities between the two games, it appears FromSoftware expanded upon ideas first explored in Dark Souls 2 to bring Elden Ring to fruition. It's impossible to know definitively whether the series would have evolved as it did without the development of Dark Souls 2.

While Miyazaki continues to enjoy directing most of FromSoftware's titles, his experience stepping back from Dark Souls 2 has made him more comfortable with allowing other directors to lead future projects. He told interviewers, "it’s very likely that we’ll see new directors going forward."

Future Directions and New Leadership

Elden Ring Nightreign, while not a traditional soulslike game, is being directed by Junya Ishizaki, who previously served as a battle director on Elden Ring and a lead game designer on Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne. This demonstrates FromSoftware's commitment to fostering new talent.

• Junya Ishizaki is directing Elden Ring Nightreign.
• Miyazaki wants to give new directors full control over their projects.
• The Duskbloods will be directed by Miyazaki.

"If we do that, I’d like to step away from that supervisory role and give them full direction and full control over those projects. I think really this is the best way and the easiest way for them to flourish within that environment and with those new projects," Miyazaki explained.

Miyazaki will direct the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title, The Duskbloods. This PvPvE game will offer a fresh take on the soulslike formula, something Miyazaki has repeatedly shown enthusiasm for. While The Duskbloods shares similarities with Bloodborne, it is a distinct project.

Ultimately, FromSoftware's current trajectory and future plans following Nightreign and The Duskbloods are a direct result of the diverse creative input made possible by the development of Dark Souls 2. It was a controversial project, but its impact on the studio's evolution is undeniable, shaping their path toward creating the groundbreaking Elden Ring and beyond.