Thanking the Soulsborne Series
Nov. 26, 2015Thanking the Soulsborne Series
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday in the states, I wanted to take the time to reflect on the incredible fortune we have in enjoying the Soulsborne series of games given to us by the folks at From Software. What follows is a title by title look at the series and some of the indelible moments that has made them such unforgettable experiences.
The alpha game of the series, when released Hidetaka Miyazaki’s brainchild Demon’s Souls was unlike any game any of us had ever experienced. I myself pre-ordered it on a whim, based off a small blurb I read in a game magazine. When I took it home and booted it up, I instantly felt the magic of stepping into a world so different, and so difficult for the first time. When I had finally beaten the Tower Knight a week later, I experienced my first “aha!” moment, and understood that the game was about learning. It was a concept I had never explored while playing a game before. Frankly, few things had ever impressed upon me in that way. What followed were a series of thrills and highs: that first adrenaline pumping invasion experience, the development of the first pvp meta, running an entire playthrough with friends just so they could get one item for a new build. Hours upon hours invested and not once did it ever feel wasted. And finally, who could ever forget finally getting the pure bladestone to drop? Most satisfying trophy ding I’ve ever heard (followed by the Platinum, which I hilariously had to farm cloudstone chunks for since I had neglected to pick up all their static loots in prior cycles, and let me tell you that was a new kind of tedium).
The anticipation we felt for this game was through the roof, and it delivered. Building on the past foundation of Demon’s Souls,Dark Soulsexpanded upon the concept of a persistent connected world in a way that had never been done before. A staggering variety of areas and terrain, with nooks, crannies and details that made the world of Lordran feel completely real. Then there was the pacing and balance which rewarded the players for pressing on. Are there many more memorable experiences than the first time we laid our eyes uponAnor Londo? The lore of the game was pervasive, hidden and delectable to attempt to decipher and spawned more than a few conspiracy theories (see: The Pendant, the God of War). It also took the dynamic pvp to a new level, and fight clubs spawned anywhere there was more than a sliver of open space. Events were the norm, and we all played until the wee hours of the morning. One more boss, one more fight.
Following in the footsteps of Dark Souls was not going to be an easy task, regardless of who was at the helm, but whenDark Souls 2released we saw that it was possible to not play it safe and cash in by releasing the same game. Changes were made to the formula, some more well received than others, however the game retained it’s similar insular feel. Returning to the comfort ofMajulaand watching it grow as you populated it gave a warm solace against the harsh climate of Drangleic. We were treated to some of the most majestic boss fights to date, and could feel the history of the series beneath our feet as we climbed every tower and castle step.
Lovecraft is a name that gets thrown around a lot in pop culture and horror and for obvious reasons. But often derivative works based on the author’s eldritch mental workings fell short of capturing the haunting essence of his best stories, untilBloodbornecame along and brought the horror fantasy genre into digital being. An amalgam of Lovecraft’s Cthulu mythos and the Famous Monsters of lore, the game captured an atmosphere that gave us genuine chills on more than one occasion and breathed fresh air into a formula that had only been used in medieval fantasy. With it came refreshing changes to the combat we had all internalized so thoroughly, which forced us all to become learners again. I remember the distinct feeling of appreciation I had at having myself thoroughly beaten by theCleric Beastin my first go. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to coast this time around. The spirit of the Souls series came back, as we were all babes again (with top hats of course). Harnessing the power of the next gen, the game also was a graphical landmark for the series featuring an impeccable level of detail, all the way down to the threads of the fabric and the dynamic changes of thetrick weaponsbrought a deep attachment to your implement of choice.
If there is one thing that has sprung organically from this series, it is the community that has come together around it. For most of us, this started because of the sheer difficulty of navigating a brutal system we were mostly unfamiliar with. We turned to the web for support on chatrooms and forums and we made connections with other people. We stayed awhile, asking for more help. We admired those who were helping. Eventually, we realized we could help others and began answering questions and escorting rookies through early areas. We added what we knew to the wiki, adding to the body of knowledge. We wrote guides, filmed walkthroughs, hosted fight clubs, shared our thoughts and ultimately left behind something of value for those future travelers who would surely need our help. We gave our time. Through it all we transcended the limitations of what a game could be, and for that I am most thankful of all.
What are you thankful for? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Emergence
Editor at Fextralife. I look for the substantial in gaming and I try to connect video games to the emotions and stories they elicit. I love all things culture and history and have an odd fondness for the planet Jupiter. I think my dogs are pretty awesome too.
I am thankful to live in a country peaceful enough to be able to enjoy games. I think often about the recent, violent events around the world.
I am truly thankful for this series. Happy Thanksgiving everyone who celebrates it!
