FromSoftware is a household name that essentially holds the crown for being an undisputed catalyst behind the immense success and global acclaim of Soulslike games. They’re also known for not holding back on the difficulty and intricacy of their games' mechanics. Renowned for titles such asSekiro,Dark Souls, andElden Ring, FromSoftware has redefined the industry’s progression systems and madegameplay mechanics of action RPGs so much more complex and multifaceted.
With that said, FromSoftware, just like any other development company, has its good days and its bad days. Their games are honestly very rarely lacking, but because of the success of certain very prominent titles, some of their other (especially older) non-soulslike installments get overlooked. Many of their other games aren’t even given a chance because of their tough reputation, causing them to eventually get lost in the mix.
6Evergrace
A Flawed Gem Foreshadowing the Souls Game Legacy
Evergrace(and its later released prequel,Forever Kingdom) was another one of the older FromSoft games that sort of became a prototype for the newer Souls titles. It wasn’t exactly their best work, nor was it very refined in terms of graphics and smoothness, yet it still had certain revolutionary elements in it that were the first of its kind.
Thegame features an intelligent customization systemthat lets players see the clothing items they equip on their characters—a groundbreaking feature for a game released in 2000. Its combat mechanics are also notably innovative and challenging, hinting at the remarkable developments the studio would later achieve. The game primarily revolves around two characters, each with a different storyline and completely distinct progression paths, as they attempt to learn how to navigate the world after losing people important to them
Shadow Tower’s first installment was released in 1998, right afterKing’s FieldandArmored Core. It wasn’t the highest-rated game in the pre-Souls era, nor was it particularly liked in comparison with its predecessors. However, with its gloomy atmosphere, weird mechanics, and a solid interpretation of the sense of impending doom, it emerges as a true gem that deserves a playthrough, simply for the sake of it.
Consequently, its sequel,Shadow Tower Abyss, takes a step further and plunges into uncanny valley. What sets this game apart is its sheer absurdity; despite being a fantasy action RPG dungeon crawler, it incorporates weapons straight out of modern warfare and features firearms like guns and grenade launchers. The gameplay in bothAbyssand its prequel is considerably straightforward, but also a bit wonky, and the mechanics are even wonkier—which honestly adds to its charm. These games aren’t for everyone, but for those who enjoy games with bizarre settings, this one is an absolute catch.
Japanese Horror games are known for their unsettling atmospheres and eerily psychological elements. They’re definitely not everyone’s cup of tea and are particularly tough to swallow with their mind-bending plot twists. Naturally, FromSoftware has its own version of this genre: a 2004 survival horror game calledKuon.
Kuon, set in Japan’s Heian period, is a rare masterpiece that definitely does not get the love it deserves. It has phenomenal graphics (for a game made in 2004),rare ‘well-made’ horror-game combat sequences, and an absolutely all-rounded ambiance that elevates the game far more than it is given credit for. Certain aspects of the game may fall a bit short, but that isn’t uncommon in a lot of the older FromSoftware games. The story takes place in an ancient haunted mansion and is divided into three chapters with three different female characters. All three have unique circumstances consisting of demons, rituals, sacrifices, and death, leading them to set out in hopes of fighting off the evil that’s surrounding them.
King’s Fieldfranchise is what gave the world the absolute force that is FromSoftware today. Its first installment was the company’s debut game, which prompted the developers to release three more games afterward. The reasonKing’s Field(and its subsequent entries) isn’t as appreciated or sought after as other FromSoftware games is simply that it’s too old. The first game was released in 1994, and even the latest installment,King’s Field IV, came out way back in 2001.
With that said, the entire franchise is heavily based on exploration rather than combat—which makes it relatively less intense. The progression system is fully utilized through theexperience gained through exploringand solving various events, ultimately rendering it so much easier to play. It doesn’t quite match the complexity of the modern Souls games, but it is the one that kickstarted what the company is today and deserves full credit for it.
Demon’s Soulsmight just be the most controversial entry on this list, simply because a lot of people might not agree with considering itunderrated or underappreciated.However, with the steady influx of many of its highly celebrated ‘spiritual successors,’ likeBloodborneandDark Souls, this particular title eventually lost the enthusiasm it received in the early days. The 2020 remake did bring a lot of the hype surrounding it, back, but ultimately, despite its raving reviews, and the love it received from the community, it isn’t as widely talked about as some of the other FromSoft games—and that’s a shame.
Because it’s the least discussed among the mega-hits, fans often discoverDemon Soul’slast. By then, their skills have already been honed by the newer, more challenging versions, leading to some players considering this particular title easy and cheesy. Regardless, everything about this game is almost near perfect: the bosses, the characters, the intricate level designs, and, of course,the obviously superior mechanics.
Setting aside all the other entries, the one FromSoftware franchise universally recognized as the most underrated, underappreciated, and deserving of more love is its third-person shooter known asArmored Core. Beginning with its first installment in 1997, this franchise marked FromSoft’s venture into mecha games, featuring non-human protagonists and a very techy setting—completely different from what the studio would later become famous for.
Armored Coreis generally tougher than a Souls game.Its mecha setting is accompaniedby unique—and frankly, very difficult to master—mechanics, a very intense (almost daunting) customization system, a considerably well-rounded story, and, unfortunately, a very steep learning curve. The franchise saw a new installment in 2023,Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, which garnered positive reviews but still lagged behind the latest Souls games in terms of popularity.
