FromSoftware’s Success Is Bad for the Soulslike Genre

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The “soulslike” style of game—known for its challenging difficulty and rewarding combat—has become incredibly popular, and FromSoftware is the studio largely responsible. They started with Demon’s Souls, but it was Dark Souls that truly defined the genre, and Elden Ring that took it to a massive audience. Even their other titles, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, demonstrated the studio’s creativity by offering unique takes on the core gameplay. Because of FromSoftware’s success, many other game developers are now making their own soulslike games.

FromSoftware’s success, while inspiring many ‘soulslike’ games, also presents a challenge. While titles like Lies of P have found success, most struggle to gain traction. This is because they’re constantly compared to FromSoftware’s incredibly high standards and the expectations set by their games. It’s become difficult for any new game to truly stand out in a genre so heavily defined by a single, legendary developer.

The Soulslike Standard Is Too High

FromSoftware essentially created the ‘soulslike’ genre, starting with Demon’s Souls and continually improving it with games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and finally Elden Ring. Each game built on the last, resulting in a collection of well-crafted and carefully designed experiences. This consistent quality is a major reason why players have so much faith in FromSoftware’s releases – they know they can expect a high standard with each new title.

Other game studios struggle because they lack the established reputation and extensive resources of FromSoftware. When a new soulslike game is released by a different developer, it’s instantly judged against the highest standards in the genre. Even minor flaws in areas like combat, level design, or how smoothly the game runs can prevent players from appreciating its strengths. I’ve experienced this firsthand with several promising games that were quickly overlooked simply because they didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by FromSoftware’s titles.

This situation creates genuine challenges for developers. Recent games like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Khazan: The Last Berserker demonstrate how tough it is to succeed in this crowded market. While both showed potential, their development was ultimately scaled back or shut down due to intense competition. This serves as a reminder that making a quality game isn’t enough – you also have to live up to incredibly high expectations set by established titles, which is a difficult feat.

Few Studios Innovate Enough To Stand Out

It’s really frustrating how many new ‘soulslike’ games feel exactly the same. Developers often just copy what’s already been done instead of trying new things. It makes sense – they want their games to be successful, so they play it safe by sticking close to the popular formula that FromSoftware established. When players are expecting a specific type of game, it’s tempting to give them exactly that instead of taking chances.

That method can make games feel stale and predictable, failing to capture the spirit of the original source material. The genre is exciting because of its suspense and the feeling of uncovering something new, but that impact is lessened when every game plays the same way. While it’s nice to be familiar with a game, that comfort can hold the genre back. That’s why discovering a game like Code Vein 2 that tries something different feels so much more satisfying.

FromSoftware, the creator of these games, has successfully changed its own established style. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice emphasized precise timing with parrying and moved away from typical RPG features. Elden Ring then took the core gameplay and created a vast, open world to explore. These innovations worked so well because the developers truly understood what made the genre special. Other game studios are often afraid to take risks, and that caution ultimately slows down the evolution of the genre.

Soulslike Fans Pay the Price

When one studio becomes the clear leader in a game genre, it can make things difficult for others. FromSoftware’s popularity has created high expectations for both gamers and companies making new games. Because of this, new “soulslike” games are often quickly compared to the best in the genre – and judged harshly – even before anyone has played them. This pressure can sometimes negatively impact the game’s development.

It’s tough for small development teams to succeed these days. They often have limited budgets and tight deadlines, leaving little margin for mistakes. A failed project can have serious consequences, as we’ve seen with recent difficulties in the soulslike genre – it’s a risky market. Now, it’s not just about making something creative, but about staying afloat, which explains why developers are hesitant to try new things.

Because studios often play it safe, players don’t get much variety in soulslike games. If developers are afraid to try new things, the genre becomes limited and feels too much like a copy of FromSoftware’s games. I’d like to see more unique takes on the soulslike formula – games that aren’t afraid to experiment and push boundaries, even if those experiments don’t always succeed. That’s how genres evolve and stay interesting over the long term.

FromSoftware has undeniably shaped the gaming landscape, creating some truly exceptional titles. However, its success has also made it difficult for other developers. While the ‘soulslike’ genre is built on a strong foundation, it can also feel constrained by expectations. For the genre to continue to grow, developers need the freedom to experiment and create new experiences without being held to unrealistic standards.

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2026-04-14 00:11