Summary
FromSoftware’s games, such as theDark Soulsseries, are known and loved by fans due to their well-crafted challenges and intriguing lore.The massive success ofElden Ring’sShadow of the ErdtreeDLCshows that many are undoubtedly looking forward to the developer’s next title and eagerly anticipating any news about what it may be. While people can and likely will speculate what the developer’s next Soulslike will be, it can be expected that several established features and mechanics will be reused and ideally improved. With that said, FromSoftware has the opportunity to bring back one concept that, if modified and properly executed, could be better appreciated by fans and propel the developer’s next game to new heights.
The worlds of Soulslike games such asElden RingandDark Soulstend to encourage players to explore and inspect every area, as doing so often means obtaining great rewards. This will likely be the case for the environments of the next FromSoftware title, but the studio should jump on the chance to to reuse a mechanic its older games helped popularize. Those who have played the developer’s classics will know that certain areas of its games contain illusory walls that contain amazing items or hidden passageways once discovered. These walls add an extra layer to exploration in FromSoftware games, but the next game the company releases should put a few twists on these walls.
How the Next Fromsofware Game Could Take Its Own Spin on Illusory Walls
If there’s one thingthe next FromSoftware game should study fromElden Ringand theDark Soulsseries, it’s illusory walls and what does and does not work with the existing system. Finding them in these titles does often provide a feeling of gratification, as they are cleverly hidden throughout areas. However, while FromSoftware’s next Souslike game should emulate that felling if it decides to reuse the mechanic, it should shake things up by doing some or all of the following:
Such changes could help makethe next FromSoftware game more exciting and accessible,as the changes could give players more direction and let them strike more than just walls. So long as they are properly implemented, these potential adjustments to this classic mechanic would allow Soulslike games to evolve and become even greater than they already are.
Bloodborne’s Insight Mechanic Can Help Improve How Illusory Walls Are Handled
InBloodborne, high levels of the insight attribute trigger interesting effectsthat change the world. Things like enemies spawning in areas where there were originally none or voices suddenly being heard can happen, pushing gamers to become more observant of their surroundings. The next FromSoftware could have a stat that does something similar, allowing for another method of discovering illusory walls. Following in the footsteps of Bloodborne’s insight, the new attribute could have level-up thresholds, visibly affecting the details of illusory walls upon reaching each one. Things like having certain animals crawl on them or their art changing would make players notice them more easily, improving their ability to perceive while also making their playthroughs more enjoyable, as they would be less likely to search online for wall locations.
Whenfans think they know what the next FromSoftware game isand what it will entail, the developer tends to do something that subverts their expectations. Reusing and improving the illusory wall mechanic popularized by games likeDark Soulsis one of the ways it can do that again, so hopefully FromSoftware gives its sneaky barriers a touch-up.
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.
