31 Years Later, This PS1 Hidden Gem Is More Important Than Ever

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FromSoftware is now widely known for its challenging “Soulsborne” games, which have influenced a whole new style of gaming. But before the popular Dark Souls series, FromSoftware created King’s Field for the PlayStation 1. This earlier game actually established many of the core ideas and gameplay elements that would later define the Souls genre.

FromSoftware first gained recognition with King’s Field, a game released alongside the original PlayStation. Though opinions were divided at first, it’s now considered a landmark title. With its unique and immersive atmosphere, King’s Field laid the groundwork for the Souls series and remains a fan favorite among FromSoftware’s impressive catalog.

King’s Field Feels Like A PS1-Era Souls Game

First released in 1994, King’s Field laid the groundwork for the Souls series. Though it’s an action RPG played from a first-person perspective, the game emphasizes exploring the world and fighting enemies. Players use swords and magic, both of which require stamina, and need to carefully time their attacks by dodging side-to-side.

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Being one of the first games on the PlayStation, the original King’s Field is quite short and focused. Most players can finish it in around three hours, as it only has five floors to explore. The environments aren’t very interactive, and the graphics aren’t particularly impressive by today’s standards.

It takes some effort to get into, but King’s Field remains surprisingly enjoyable even today. It’s a traditional dungeon crawler with a uniquely immersive atmosphere created by its music. Despite the limitations of the original PlayStation, it clearly showcases the design style that would come to define FromSoftware games.

The King’s Field Sequels Were Bigger And Better

The first King’s Field was a great game, but King’s Field II, released in 1995, was a huge improvement. Instead of being limited to one dungeon, players could explore a whole island, complete with a wide variety of enemies and items to find.

Like other games made by FromSoftware, King’s Field II is quite challenging, but overcoming those difficulties is rewarding. The game is impressively large in scope, and although it starts a bit slowly, it holds up remarkably well even today.

Following that game came King’s Field III, a truly unforgettable and atmospheric action RPG. It’s a prime example of dark fantasy, creating an atmosphere unlike any other. The game paints a grim picture with a blood-red sky, dark clouds, and landscapes strewn with bones and decaying creatures, all while being overrun by monsters.

The game plays a lot like its predecessors, but feels quicker and smoother, offering more options with weapons and magic. However, danger is still everywhere – a single hit from things like poisonous mushrooms or hidden traps can instantly defeat you.

Although King’s Field I-III form a trilogy, FromSoftware released one additional main game: King’s Field IV. This game is unique in the series as it’s the only one available on the PlayStation 2, and it utilizes the console’s enhanced capabilities. The improved graphics create a more immersive experience, and players can explore significantly larger levels.

The King’s Field Series Set The Stage For The Soulsborne Games

The King’s Field series hasn’t had many new releases since King’s Field IV, with only a few ports and remasters for the PSP. However, its influence can still be felt in the popular Soulsborne games. Demon’s Souls, released on the PS3 in 2009, was specifically designed to capture the spirit of King’s Field, and the two series share a lot of common ground.

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Similar to the game King’s Field, Demon’s Souls drops players into a dark and challenging fantasy world. Rather than a straightforward story, the game’s background and history are revealed through gameplay. It’s notoriously difficult, and you’ll only succeed if you master the combat system.

The Souls games borrowed heavily from the earlier King’s Field series, including iconic items like the Moonlight Sword, characters such as the white dragon Seath, and the black dragon Guyra (who later appears as Kalameet). In many ways, the Souls games would feel very similar to King’s Field if played from a first-person perspective.

The King’s Field games aren’t for everyone, particularly today, but they were a key influence on the hugely popular Soulsborne series. While many players never tried King’s Field on the original PlayStation, it laid the groundwork for one of gaming’s biggest franchises.

There are many games available now, but if you enjoy games like Souls and Elden Ring, it’s worth checking out where FromSoftware first made its name. While the studio is now known for its dark fantasy worlds, they’ve been creating games for a long time, and titles like Demon’s Souls and King’s Field were crucial in shaping their signature style.

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2025-12-21 21:40