FromSoftware’s next moves remain unpredictable, but a balanced approach between open-world and linear Soulslike games could keep fans engaged.
The Elden Ring community eagerly awaits the release of the upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, though its launch date remains uncertain. As an expansion, it’s unlikely to match the sprawling open-world scale of Elden Ring’s base game, and whether it will be set within this vast world or in a different setting is still unconfirmed. The potential for another immersive experience exists within its depths, offering opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Since the release of Elden Ring, fans of FromSoftware have expressed their desire for the studio to revisit the development of linear, tightly-focused Soulslike games.
FromSoftware’s legacy of Soulslike titles prior to Elden Ring thrived within confined yet captivating environments, inviting players to lose themselves within. Elden Ring’s “Lands Between,” on the other hand, offers an expansive landscape. Balancing the interests of fans longing for either an open-world or linear experience presents a challenge. A strategic approach that bridges both genres could be the key to satisfying both camps.
FromSoftware Should Return to a Linear Soulslike After Elden Ring
Following Elden Ring with a linear Soulslike game, reminiscent of Bloodborne, would provide a refreshing change and help differentiate it from the Elden Ring experience. This approach aligns with practical considerations, allowing time to elapse between the development of expansive open-world games, as crafting such vast worlds requires substantial effort. Developing FromSoftware’s next open-world game, unless set in Elden Ring’s Lands Between, will require significant development time.
A linear Soulslike may be shorter in comparison, but it would offer a more condensed and convenient experience. While Elden Ring’s open-endedness captivates players with new quests, endings, and interactions after hundreds of hours, this novelty may lose some of its appeal over time. FromSoftware has demonstrated its mastery in creating open-world Soulslike experiences, but returning to the genre too quickly might risk diminishing its allure.
A Staggered Approach: Balancing Open-World and Linear Soulslikes
FromSoftware could consider a staggered release strategy alternating between open-world and linear Soulslike games. This approach would ensure a refreshing change of pace and maintain interest among fans. For instance, a linear title could succeed Elden Ring, followed by an open-world game, and so on.
Such a rhythm could introduce diversity and mitigate the risk of becoming formulaic. While it might not be the developer’s nature to adhere strictly to established patterns, a balanced approach could serve well for the foreseeable future. It would also accommodate the revival of other projects, like the revamped Armored Core IP.
FromSoftware’s direction remains unpredictable, and its next steps are shrouded in mystery until the launch of Shadow of the Erdtree. In the meantime, other Soulslike titles aim to secure their place in the subgenre, further shaping its evolution.
