5 FromSoftware Games That You Forgot Were Awesome

by

FromSoftware has become one of the most successful video game developers in the industry. Building on a history of well-received games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Armored Core, and Sekiro, they released Elden Ring, which is now considered a masterpiece. For the past fifteen years, FromSoftware has consistently delivered high-quality games to fans. However, the company didn’t always have such a strong track record. While they had some unsuccessful titles early on, this period also produced a few lesser-known games that are worth rediscovering.

Here are five great FromSoft games you’ve probably never played.

5) The Adventures of Cookie & Cream

It’s surprising to learn that FromSoftware, known for challenging games, also created a charming action-adventure title for the PlayStation 2 called The Adventure of Cookie & Cream. It’s largely forgotten now, which is a shame, because the game introduced a really interesting feature in its multiplayer modes.

You can enjoy Cookie & Cream as a standard action-adventure game, and it’s generally pretty good. It features unique visuals, fun action sequences, and a relaxed atmosphere. While it’s playable with two players in the usual way, the game is especially interesting when you both share a single controller.

With Cookie & Cream, two players can share a single controller. Each person controls one character – either Cookie or Cream – using their side of the controller. This setup is similar to what you often see in speedrunning, where one player handles movement and the other handles jumping. But Cookie & Cream lets each player have complete control over their own character, even with just half of the controller. It’s a really fun way to play that also brings you and your friends closer together – literally!

4) Ninja Blade

Released in the same year as Demon’s Souls, Ninja Blade shows FromSoftware beginning to explore the kind of gameplay that would later define their success. However, Ninja Blade takes a very different approach.

Unlike the slower, more methodical combat in Demon’s Souls, Ninja Blade takes after faster-paced games like Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry. This results in incredibly quick and flashy action. The game emphasizes a “cinematic” feel so much that many fights are handled through quick-time events.

Some players might be put off by certain aspects of the game, but the over-the-top action – like riding a missile – makes it worthwhile. Honestly, Ninja Blade has some incredibly wild and over-the-top moments. If you don’t enjoy the quick-time event-focused combat, at least check out a video online to see just how crazy it gets.

3) King’s Field IV

The King’s Field series was FromSoftware’s first major success, and it laid the groundwork for the Souls games we know today. These early titles are challenging, slow-paced action RPGs famous for their intricate levels and expansive worlds.

Feel free to share your favorite King’s Field game here – I personally still enjoy the fourth one the most. It’s the only title on PlayStation 2, which makes it a bit more accessible, though it can still be challenging to learn at first.

It’s worth checking out any of the King’s Field games. They can be tough, but they offer a fascinating look at the origins of the Souls series, making them a nostalgic experience. Hopefully, they’ll receive a detailed historical look like those featured in Digital Eclipse documentaries someday.

2) Lost Kingdoms

One Christmas, my cousin and I rented a strange role-playing game that used monster cards during battles. We spent the whole weekend fueled by tons of Mountain Dew, barely sleeping, because he was leaving our grandparents’ house soon and we wanted to finish the game before he did.

I often thought about that strange, little game we’d rented from Movie Gallery years ago, but I could never recall its name. It finally came to me around 2014 when I looked it up online. I was shocked to discover that the quirky card game I enjoyed in middle school was created by the same studio that made Dark Souls.

I could rave about how fun the deck building and card battles are in Lost Kingdoms, but the game speaks for itself. It’s incredibly memorable – I couldn’t forget it even after years of not knowing the title, despite only playing it briefly. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but revisiting it confirmed it’s still fantastic, and you really should check out Lost Kingdoms and its sequel.

1) Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors

If you loved the challenging combat of Sekiro, you’ll likely enjoy Otogi 2. It’s another fast-paced action game where skillful play is essential. You’ll choose from a variety of characters, and mastering each one’s unique abilities is difficult, but incredibly rewarding.

Luckily, both Otogi 2 and the original Otogi work on the Xbox Series X/S, so they’re readily available to play. Similar to King’s Field, it might take some getting used to the gameplay from the early 2000s, mostly because the camera controls can be tricky. However, it’s interesting to see how FromSoftware’s game design has changed and improved over time.

Although both Otogi games received good reviews, they didn’t attract a large player base. The editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly even explained why Otogi 2 wasn’t heavily featured in the magazine, stating that despite its quality, not enough people were interested in reading about it. It’s unfortunate that such a good game didn’t get the attention it deserved.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fromsoftware-soulslike-games-best-worst-dark-souls-elden-ring/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-26 23:11