FromSoftware’s legacy of Soulsborne games began withDemon’s Souls, and many elements of that original experience live on in the titles that the studio has released since.Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreehas recently set a high bar for future releases, but revisiting some of the more forgotten elements of its earlier game could enrich the next. While engaging combat has characterized the most thrilling boss encounters ofElden Ring, the unique mechanics of what can be one of the moretechnical battles inDemon’s Soulsshow what FromSoft is capable of beyond just raw action.
Epic battles with formidable knights and monstrous creatures make up much of what Soulsborne has become known for, however, an encounter like the Phalanx stands out among these with a distinct design that can prove frustrating if approached like a typical fight. It might diverge from the climactic bosses of the current era, but this is an instance of FromSoft’s creativity which could help to form a fresh perspective of whatever it has in store for the next game afterElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
Demon’s Souls Phalanx Set the Tone for Unique FromSoft Boss Design
Among theroster ofDemon’s Soulsbosses, the Phalanx fits in as a well-executed concept with strategic depth outside traditional combat. It appears as a mass of dark blobs with shields and spears, but these are actually smaller enemies with their own health bar clinging to the body of the main boss. In order to actually harm the Phalanx, these Hoplite blob enemies need to be cleared out to damage the harmless core, potentially confusing players on early attempts. It has a massive weakness to fire, but the Hoplites can also be regenerated after dying and the boss itself can heal if it isn’t damaged quickly enough.
Through functioning as much as a puzzle as a battle, the Phalanx can be rewarding in a more intriguing manner than aconventional Soulsborne boss. It might become easier on subsequent playthroughs once players understand its tricks, but it’s still likely to be a memorable experience due to testing more than just combat prowess. There have always been straight-up gimmick bosses in every one of these titles, but the Phalanx rode a line between these classifications that makes it a good example of innovation.
FromSoftware’s Next Game Could Balance Its Boss Line-up By Taking Influences From Encounters like Phalanx
Varying gameplay through nuanced boss design could provide a refreshing balance to titles thatcome afterElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. AsElden Ringhas primarily focused on the intensity of challenging combat encounters in its open world and dungeons alike, integrating more mechanics like the dynamic between the Phalanx and its Hoplites could help elevate the experimental potential of the game that follows.
The likes of the Dragon God and the Storm King delve directly into gimmick territory that has translated into encounters like Rykard, but the Phalanx strikes a balance between these by allowing for more direct intervention in the battle on top of its strategic elements.
Despite the seemingly impenetrable nature of the boss at first glance, the Phalanx demonstrates the strengths ofFromSoftware’s gameplay designthrough its elemental vulnerability to fire which can trivialize it. If the player experiments and investigates their full set of tools in earlyDemon’s Souls, it can become a far more manageable fight. If future games can utilize similar mechanics as the Hoplites to embellish certain battles and diversify bosses beyond just enhancing their strength in battle, FromSoft’s next endeavor will be poised to tackle some of the main criticisms its highly acclaimedElden RingDLC has received.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
