A list of the best FromSoftware video games must exist because this developer makes some of the most gripping games out there.
Whether you’re a recent FromSoftware convert due to the sensational 2022 hit Elden Ring, or you’ve followed the company from the beginning, FromSoftware is known among gamers for creating absorbing, complex games with huge learning curves. They are not afraid to create a difficult video game, let’s put it that way.
The worlds created by FromSoftware are so absorbing that even those (like me) who have no patience to play them can still enjoy the lore, setting, and characters, thanks in part to the huge fanbase creating Let’s Plays and other content.
10 of the Best FromSoftware Games
Japanese developer FromSoftware are best known for creating the punishingly difficult (but incredibly absorbing) Dark Souls games. However, they were founded way back in 1986, and pivoted from business application software to video games in 1994 with the release of King’s Field.
As well as Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls, and Elden Ring (Shown in the image above. Image source), they’re also well-known for the development of the Armored Core games, a series with over a dozen main entries to delve into.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best FromSoftware video games, in no particular order:
Armored Core
Armored Core was released on the PlayStation in 1997, with later releases on the PSP, PS3, and PS Vita. It’s a third-person shooter, which sees you stepping into the role of a mercenary pilot, working from inside a robot combat unit.
Developed and published by FromSoftware, it had a good response from critics, who praised the graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay mechanics. You can upgrade your starting rig, boost your weapons, generators, and more. This is a fun part of the game, and you can spend hours tweaking your mech setup in Armored Core.
There are many titles in the Armored Core series, all of which expand the story. With 13 main Armored Core games, there are a lot in the back catalogue to get through, but it’s worth checking out the original for a little slice of gaming nostalgia.
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Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
Released on the Xbox in 2004, Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors follows the events of the first game. A hack-and-slash adventure game, it provides an interesting look at the history of FromSoftware, and the story is compelling.
Weaving the classic light vs dark theme (which we’ll see more of later, particularly in the Souls series) into fun, entertaining gameplay, it offers around 12 hours of enjoyment if you want to complete everything.
Critics praised Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors for the action-packed gameplay and the way it improved upon the already popular mechanics of the original game. FromSoftware are particularly good at making attacks feel powerful, which they nail in the Immortal Warriors series.
Lost Kingdoms
Lost Kingdoms (released on the GameCube in 2002) does not represent a standout moment in gaming history, unlike some of FromSoftware’s other games. However, I still feel it’s worth a mention, especially if you’re embarking on a search through the company’s previous titles. Known as Rune in Japan, it’s a card-based action role-playing game.
It lacks the kind of deep storyline most players crave in a role-playing game, and the framerate can be an issue from time to time. It does, however, feature a catalogue of inventive creatures and a dark theme, which should sound familiar to fans of the best FromSoftware video games.
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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Considered by some to be one of the prettiest FromSoftware games, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes place in gorgeously rendered historical Japan. An action-adventure game, it shares the brutality of the Souls games, with fast, frantic combat. It has a tough learning curve (which is to be expected really) and requires precise timing and plenty of practice.
Unfortunately, if you keep dying (which you probably will), it starts to impact other characters in the game. This raises the stakes of each battle considerably, but it doesn’t make the gameplay any easier for the player.
Sekiro had some excellent critical reviews and is well known for being a beautiful, interesting twist on FromSoftware’s other games.
Demon's Souls
Next up, a cult classic. We can’t really talk about the best FromSoftware games without mentioning Demon’s Souls. A much-loved game, it was released originally in 2009 on the PS3, and remastered by Bluehole studio as a PS5 launch title.
Demon’s Souls is, of course, a punishingly hard game. An action RPG, it’s beloved by players despite being incredibly tough to beat, and it’s still considered one of the best FromSoftware video games. It’s less polished than later games, but has all the intrigue and deep lore you would expect from later Souls games.
It also represented a turning point for director Hidetaka Miyazaki, whose input changed the future of the company, and it’s worth playing despite the frustration in order to enjoy a little slice of videogame history. He later went onto become the president of FromSoftware, so you can call Demon’s Souls a success story in more ways than one.
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King's Field
Even before Armored Core, there was King’s Field. Released in 1994 on the PlayStation (just days after the console’s Japanese launch), it’s a first-person RPG with a touch of Doom. While it seems worlds apart from the likes of Elden Ring, it’s a solid PS1 title with an absorbing 3D world that was great for the time.
Although it’s not perfect by any means (the framerate can be an issue and it feels sluggish at times), without King’s Field, we probably wouldn’t have Demon’s Souls years later, making it a worthy contender for a spot on this list of the best FromSoftware video games, and a vital game in the history of the company.
Dark Souls III
A strong contender in the Souls series, Dark Souls III is a favourite sequel for many fans, thanks to the incredible fantasy world-building. It had an incredibly successful launch and remains one of the best-selling titles from the studio at 10 million copies at the time of writing.
Again, it’s a typically punishing game, with difficult combat, and it requires a lot of patience. Players are rewarded by the gradual exploration of the world, which is well worth it. The thrill of stumbling upon new discoveries never gets old. The lore is very well-developed, and it’s a much-loved sequel that links together events from previous games.
Bloodborne
Darker and more twisted than the Souls series, Bloodborne shares similar gameplay and themes, but according to director Hidetaka Miyazaki, it’s set in a separate universe, so it doesn’t count as a sequel. Beloved by fans, Bloodborne is a staple FromSoftware game, and has some breathtakingly intimidating bosses. Beating a Bloodborne boss feels rewarding on another level.
Bloodborne has a gothic kind of feel, and exploring the world is both daunting and brilliant. Fans of Call of Cthulhu will enjoy the Lovecraftian references, as well as the general Victorian-era-vibe. It got overwhelmingly glowing reviews for good reason.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls built upon what Demon’s Souls began, bringing back that infuriating difficulty that gamers both love and hate. It is the original installment of a trilogy, and while it lacks the polish of the later two entries, it shows off FromSoftware’s unique ability to push players to their limit (and their willingness to turn some players away if necessary).
The game Dark Souls introduces the world of Lordran, a land of ancient lords. Intricately designed levels are elevated by the slow unveiling of the lore, mostly via flavour text. This ability to slowly unveil the story, as opposed to having the story handed to the player directly, is a signature component of the Dark Souls series (and you can find many detailed explanations of this online from dedicated fans).
Reaction to the first Dark Souls game was pretty positive at launch, although it wasn’t until years later that critics were able to fully understand how much an important landmark the Souls games would come to be.
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Elden Ring
Elden Ring was phenomenally popular when it was released earlier this year (2022). Created in collaboration with Game of Thrones author George R.R Martin, it was a huge success, with articles and reviews heaping praise on Elden Ring for the gameplay, storyline, and the beautiful setting.
It received perfect scores from some major gaming outlets, considered by many to be the best game in the genre so far. Elden Ring takes place in the open world of Lands Between, a massive land split into six areas controlled by demigods. The world is huge, and stunning to look at. It’s a little brighter and more colourful than other games by FromSoftware, but shares the hard-as-nails gameplay with the Souls games.
It’s also predicted to be the best-selling game of 2022, with sales reaching a whopping 13.4 million copies (as of May 2022). The new build mechanics are more complex, making it a possibility for more players to enjoy the game if they play their cards right. It’s also packed with content, with around 80-90 hours of gameplay (depending on how much you want to explore). If you want to go for everything, you could easily sink over 100 hours into it.
Final Thoughts
While FromSoftware could be considered to have created the toughest games out there, their games are complex, rich in lore, and deeply rewarding. Who knows what future titles await us, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the meantime. If you’re a seasoned fan of the Souls games, it’s worth going back to check out some of the best FromSoftware video games, like the Armored Core series.
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Megan Bidmead
Megan is a freelance writer based in Somerset, England. She writes about videogames, books, and pop culture.
