Lords of the Fallen 2 Will Support More Build Diversity Than FromSoftware Games, Says Director

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CI Games and Hexworks recently shared a detailed update about the upcoming Lords of the Fallen 2, highlighting the wide range of character builds players will be able to create. Game director James Lowe explained that the game aims to offer build variety similar to that found in popular Soulslike titles like Elden Ring, which is often considered a leading example of the genre.

In a recent video, Lowe explained that once he settles on a character build in a FromSoftware game, he usually sticks with it for the rest of the playthrough. He doesn’t like to switch things up once he’s found something that works. He clarified he wasn’t criticizing FromSoftware, just describing his personal playstyle.

In Lords of the Fallen, I have the freedom to try out different combat styles and builds. I can easily switch to dual-wielding just to see how it feels, without worrying too much about sticking to my main build. I’m confident enough as a player to experiment for a few hours or change things up if I’m having trouble with a particular enemy. It’s all about finding what works best and having fun with it.

FromSoftware games usually let players change their character builds, particularly in newer titles like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring. However, it’s not always a simple process. For example, in Elden Ring, you need to find and use a specific item to completely reset your character’s stats and abilities.

Giving players the ability to easily change their character builds is a core design choice for any game. Developers can either prioritize letting players experiment freely, or they can limit options. FromSoftware games strike a balance: they want players to feel the weight of their decisions, but they also include a way to reset builds, offering some flexibility.

In June, Brandon Adler, the game director for The Outer Worlds 2, explained that his team decided to let players reset their character builds. He said this choice supported the game’s focus on immersive roleplaying.

I want to ensure that if we make The Outer Worlds 2, the role-playing aspects are truly excellent. That means letting players deeply develop their characters and making sure role-playing is central to everything they do in the game.

Even though they made that decision, Adler also said he doesn’t necessarily disagree with letting players change their character builds later on.

Adler explained that when games let you completely reset your character’s skills and abilities as often as you want, it can make it harder to feel immersed in the role-playing experience. He used the example of quickly switching between being a long-range sniper and a character focused on conversation, saying that while he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying games that way, it personally breaks his feeling of playing a consistent character.

Lords of the Fallen 2 is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S later this year. You can watch the gameplay trailer from December and see the PC system requirements now.

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2026-02-12 15:11