Summary
- FromSoftware is a game developer known for difficult boss fights and high-quality exploration in their action RPGs.
- Armored Core 6 surprised fans with expansive levels and optional mechs, reinvigorating interest in the series.
- Elden Ring offers one of the best open-world experiences, learning from past games and providing unique content for players.
FromSoftware is one of the greatest video game developers of all time, becoming a major player in the industry with the hit success of Dark Souls. The company and Hidetaka Miyazaki have never looked back since, creating some of the greatest action RPGs of all time.
FromSoftware: Hardest Beast Soulsborne Bosses, Ranked
FromSoftware's Soulsborne games are known for their difficult boss fights. The following eight animalistic beasts are among their toughest.
Nowadays, the report of a new FromSoftware game is enough to send fans into a frenzy, which shows just how high the quality of their games is. Along with the combat, the exploration in their titles is in a class of its own and compels players to scour every inch of the world to find hidden secrets, mysterious NPCs, and optional bosses, among many other things.
8 Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon
Exploration Is The Best It Has Ever Been In An Armored Core Game
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
- Released
- August 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action, Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The fact that a new Armored Core game was coming out shocked and pleased fans in equal measure. They had given up hope on the idea of FromSoftware revisiting this series, only for Fires of Rubicon to put all their worries to rest.
The massive and expansive levels of this game compel players to explore the world in their mech and figure out how to complete a mission without being destroyed. Players who love exploring may find this harder when they stumble upon the optional mechs who are a part of the LOGHUNT missions and bring some serious firepower into battle.
7 Demon's Souls
The Level-Based Structure Makes For Some Fun, Contained Exploration
Demon's Souls
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
Demon's Souls is the first game to establish the modern FromSoftware action RPG formula, and fans were surprised to see it nail so many things. Combat is tight and satisfying as players slowly level up their skills and acquire powerful weaponry.
Demon's Souls may lack the interconnected world of later Soulsborne games, but that should take nothing away from how much fun exploration can be. Players head from one zone to the next, and always have the opportunity to head back and try out a different area if they're struggling in a particular location.
6 Dark Souls 2
The World's Structure Is A Bit Odd But Still Has Its Highlights
Dark Souls 2
- Released
- March 11, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Dark Souls 2's world can be a bit too haphazard at times, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, players get to witness some truly imaginative and beautiful locations that don't necessarily need to be constrained by logical limits.
8 FromSoftware Games With The Best Introductions, Ranked
FromSoftware knew how to make an introduction in these games that had incredible opening scenes and moments.
This means that players can make progress and find certain areas in wild locations they didn't expect. If exploration is yielding unexpected results, then Dark Souls 2 is certainly doing the right thing.
5 Dark Souls 3
Both The New Locations And Older Throwbacks Are Great
Dark Souls 3
- Released
- March 24, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
With Miyazaki's return, fans had high hopes for Dark Souls 3. The combat was exceptional, the lore reveals were enlightening, bosses were a joy to fight, and the world was bound by the rules of logic once again (for the most part).
Players will love finding shortcuts and veering off the beaten path to stumble upon a secret or a hidden area. Suffice it to say, most fans feel that Dark Souls 3 ended the trilogy's run on a high note.
4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Verticality In This Game Enhances The Exploration Considerably
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
With the addition of a grappling hook, exploration in Sekiro is more vertical than ever before. This is further hammered in by the fact that fall damage is almost negligible in this game.
This encourages players to explore a level's verticality and discover things at their own pace. Sekiro's adventures place him in the path of powerful foes, and prioritizing exploration will ensure that players will be prepared for the many difficult fights that come their way.
3 Bloodborne
The Game's Gothic Horror Single-Handedly Elevates The Quality Of The Exploration
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
The gothic vibes of Bloodborne serve as a precursor to the cosmic horror that is lurking behind the scenes. This rich atmosphere ensures that every location in Bloodborne is a treat to explore.
Bloodborne: 8 Ways To Shake Up A Second Playthrough
For those who have already beaten Bloodborne, there's plenty more to do to shake up a second playthrough and fully explore Yharnam.
Exploring Yharnam in all its entirety and discovering the existence of Cainhurst Castle in Bloodborne are some of the many highlights fans can enjoy if they explore the world judiciously. Given how challenging this game is, most Hunters should make it a point to discover as many optional encounters as possible to get stronger.
2 Dark Souls
The Interconnected World Was Mind-Blowing And One Of The Game's Best Traits
Dark Souls
- Released
- September 22, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games ever made, that single-handedly turned FromSoftware into a household name. The tough yet fair combat and immersive storytelling definitely played a huge role here, but what fans loved about this game was the interconnected world.
Comparisons to metroidvania games aren't outlandish at all, with players unlocking shortcuts and seeing for themselves just how impressive this interconnected and layered world is. This impressive level design went a long way in making Dark Souls palatable more than a decade after this game's release.
1 Elden Ring
Boasts One Of The Best Open Worlds In Gaming History
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Any fan worried about FromSoftware trying to break into the open-world market sang a different tune after Elden Ring. The game took some much-needed lessons from Breath of the Wild to let fans enjoy an amazing sandbox that was full of unique content.
The best part is that this open-world approach meant that players didn't need to bang their head against a wall over and over again as they tried to outclass a boss giving them a hard time. The world's massive scope meant that players could head to a different corner and get stronger before coming back and trying their hand at the boss fight again.
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Elden Ring Nightreign's release is imminent, and some recent information suggests that one Nightfarer will stand out from the crowd.