As an Elden Ring gamer who has spent countless hours dodging, parrying, and trying to figure out FromSoftware’s cryptic lore, one question constantly rattles in my mind as I sit by a Site of Grace: “What’s next for FromSoftware?”.
The studio has a legendary track record of creating punishing yet deeply rewarding games, from the Dark Souls trilogy to Bloodborne and Sekiro, each with its own unique flavor. And let’s not forget Elden Ring, which took the signature Soulsborne formula and injected it into a vast, open world, creating what many have argued is their magnum opus.
I have already released a post titled “Elden Ring 2: Will We Return to the Lands Between?” where I’ve tried to answer the question the title raises. So, naturally, the question is now: What could FromSoftware possibly do next? What direction could they take? Let’s speculate wildly on where Miyazaki and his team might journey next.
Setting: Post-Apocalyptic or Sci-Fi?
First, let’s talk setting. FromSoftware has proven they’re not afraid to branch out from medieval dark fantasy (Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls) into more unique worlds like Lovecraftian Victorian horror (Bloodborne) and Sengoku-era Japan (Sekiro). They’ve even dabbled in mechs with Armored Core VI. So, what’s next?
I think we’re ready for a post-apocalyptic FromSoftware game. Picture this: a world where humanity’s hubris has led to its collapse (classic FromSoft vibes), and now strange, mutated creatures roam the wastelands. Think of a dark, twisted take on something like Mad Max, but with the oppressive atmosphere only FromSoftware can deliver. You could have crumbling cities, deserts of ash, and eerie, abandoned megastructures. Maybe the remnants of humanity have retreated into domed cities, and your character, of course, is some mysterious wanderer with questionable motives.
Alternatively, a sci-fi setting could be just as intriguing. FromSoftware has barely scratched the surface of space, but they could take inspiration from cosmic horror (ala Bloodborne) and create a galaxy-spanning story that feels like Event Horizon meets Dark Souls. Imagine exploring derelict space stations, abandoned planets, and encountering eldritch horrors lurking in the void. The isolation of space could give FromSoftware’s signature lonely exploration mechanics a whole new level of tension.
Storytelling: Cryptic as Always or More Accessible?
One thing all Soulsborne fans know is that FromSoftware loves to make you work for the story. Item descriptions, vague NPC dialogue, and environmental storytelling are the norm. But with Elden Ring, they took a tiny step towards accessibility by bringing in George R. R. Martin to help craft the world’s lore and making the story slightly more upfront.
Could we see FromSoftware continue this trend? Maybe the next game will have a more direct narrative, where the player is still piecing things together but with more overt storytelling elements. Perhaps we get a more interactive dialogue system, or even branching narrative paths based on player choices (without losing the beloved ambiguity). Or maybe… maybe they do the opposite and double down on the cryptic nature of their lore, making it even more obscure for those of us who love scouring YouTube lore videos at 3 a.m.
Gameplay Mechanics: What Stays? What Evolves?
Elden Ring revolutionized FromSoftware’s formula by introducing an open-world format with horseback combat, crafting, and a more freeform approach to exploration. But what could they tweak or improve for the next game?
Traversal: I can’t imagine they’ll ditch the open-world structure after the success of Elden Ring. But they might evolve it by adding more verticality to the world – even more vertical than Shadow of the Erdtree. Imagine a game where you’re not just exploring horizontally but also climbing towers, delving into deep underground ruins, or even navigating between floating islands or space stations. Grappling hooks or jetpacks, anyone?
Combat: FromSoftware’s combat is iconic—tight, deliberate, and brutal. But they’ve been experimenting with faster, more fluid styles (Bloodborne, Sekiro) versus the more methodical combat of Dark Souls and Elden Ring. I’d love to see them take the best of both worlds—combining the precision of Sekiro’s swordplay with the variety and build diversity of Elden Ring. Perhaps they could introduce new weapon mechanics, like modular weapons in a sci-fi setting, where you can customize your arsenal on the go.
AI and Enemy Design: One area ripe for innovation is enemy AI. FromSoftware has always excelled in creating terrifying, memorable foes, but imagine if enemies were more adaptive. What if they learned from your actions and developed counter-strategies? Think about how terrifying it would be if you fought a boss, retreated, and came back later only to find that they’ve adapted to your tactics. Maybe they’re more aggressive, or they’ve learned to parry your attacks more effectively. This would add an extra layer of tension and unpredictability to the already nerve-wracking experience of fighting FromSoftware’s notoriously difficult enemies.
Also, we could see more environmental interaction with enemies. Imagine luring foes into traps, blowing up gas canisters in a sci-fi setting, or using the environment to your advantage in a post-apocalyptic world. The next game could focus more on situational awareness, where knowing your surroundings becomes just as important as your weapon choice.
Expanded Multiplayer & Co-op Features
FromSoftware’s multiplayer has always been unique, with its mix of co-op, invasions, and cryptic messaging systems. While Elden Ring made summoning friends and getting invaded easier and more integrated into the world, there’s still room for improvement and innovation.
Seamless Co-op: Imagine if the next game offered seamless, drop-in/drop-out co-op, where you and your friends could explore the world together without the need for summoning signs or restrictions on where you can go. It could be a more fluid, journey-focused multiplayer experience, where you and your party can tackle quests, fight bosses, and explore the world at your own pace while still retaining that signature dread that comes with knowing an invader could appear at any moment.
Dynamic Invasions: Speaking of invasions, they could expand on this system by making it more dynamic. What if invaders could mess with the world in more creative ways, not just by attacking you head-on? Imagine an invader sabotaging a critical resource or activating traps from a distance, forcing you to rethink your approach to every corner of the map. They could even introduce multiplayer objectives, where invaders and defenders have specific tasks to complete, adding a layer of strategy beyond just PvP combat.
Faction Wars: In a sci-fi or post-apocalyptic setting, we could see the introduction of faction-based multiplayer, where players align with different groups, each with its own unique perks, quests, and PvP incentives. Imagine a world where players are constantly vying for control of certain territories or resources, with the outcomes of battles having real consequences on the game world. Maybe one faction’s victory leads to certain areas becoming more dangerous or locked off to others.
Expanding on the World’s Mystique: Dynamic World States?
FromSoftware’s worlds are known for their bleakness and mystery, but there’s an opportunity to make the world feel even more alive (or, well, dead in the case of most of their games). Imagine a game where the world itself changes based on your actions.
Dynamic World States: What if certain areas of the map evolved as you progressed? Maybe a once-thriving hub area falls into ruin, or a shattered city is overtaken by new, more dangerous creatures as you delve deeper into the game. These changes could be tied to your choices, boss kills, or even how many times you’ve died—leading to a world that feels truly dynamic and responsive to your presence.
Day/Night Cycle with Gameplay Impact: Building on Elden Ring’s day/night cycle, imagine if time of day had even more significant gameplay implications. Maybe certain enemies only appear during the night (as we already have seen), or areas become more dangerous after dark. In a post-apocalyptic setting, perhaps radiation levels rise at night, forcing you to seek shelter or equip specific gear. Or in a sci-fi world, you might encounter different alien species depending on the planet’s solar cycle.
Narrative Themes: What Could They Explore?
FromSoftware games are famous for their deep, often dark, themes. Dark Souls explored the inevitability of decay and the cyclical nature of existence, while Bloodborne dealt with the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human comprehension. So, what philosophical or thematic ideas could they tackle next?
The Hubris of Technology: In a futuristic or sci-fi setting, FromSoftware could explore themes around the dangers of unchecked technological advancement—maybe humanity has reached too far into the cosmic unknown, and now they’re dealing with the fallout. This could tie into a narrative about the loss of humanity, as people become more reliant on machines or augmentations, blurring the line between man and machine.
Survival and Scarcity: In a post-apocalyptic world, the theme of survival could be front and center. Resources could be scarce, and every encounter might feel like a desperate struggle for survival. This could tie into gameplay mechanics as well—imagine having to scavenge for food, water, or even fuel for your equipment, adding another layer of tension to the experience. FromSoftware could emphasize resource management in a way that fits with the harsh, unforgiving worlds they’re known for. Imagine a world where every healing item, bullet, or piece of gear feels precious. Running low on resources before reaching a boss would add a new dimension of dread—and mastering the art of survival would be just as important as mastering combat.
The Nature of Power and Control: Another recurring theme in FromSoftware’s work is the seductive nature of power and its consequences. In a sci-fi setting, this could manifest as a cautionary tale about controlling forces we barely understand—whether that’s artificial intelligence, alien technology, or even time itself. The player might be tempted to use powerful but dangerous abilities or augmentations, but those choices could come with dark consequences. FromSoftware loves to make players question the morality of their actions, and in a world where technology and power are intertwined, they could really lean into this dilemma.
Boss Fights: Bigger, Weirder, and More Dynamic
Let’s be real—one of the biggest draws of any FromSoftware game is the boss fights. These encounters are legendary, not just for their difficulty but for their creativity. Elden Ring brought us massive, awe-inspiring battles in wide-open arenas, but where can they go from here?
Dynamic Boss Encounters: Imagine bosses that evolve dynamically during a fight, not just with predictable phase changes, but in response to how you fight them. Perhaps your tactics force a boss to flee, and the battle continues in a completely different environment. Or maybe the arena itself changes drastically mid-fight—like a crumbling city collapsing around you or a spaceship losing gravity. Bosses could also interact more with the environment, using it against you or even shifting the entire battlefield in the process.
Multiple Bosses at Once: FromSoftware has dabbled in multi-boss fights before, but what if the next game had more intricate tag-team boss battles where you have to manage multiple threats in creative ways? Maybe one boss is slow but powerful, and the other is fast but fragile, forcing you to constantly adapt your strategy. Or perhaps bosses could have symbiotic relationships, where damaging one affects the other in unexpected ways. These fights could be incredible tests of not just skill, but strategy and environmental awareness.
Cosmic or Otherworldly Designs: If the next game leans into a sci-fi or post-apocalyptic setting, imagine how FromSoftware’s boss designs could go even further off the rails. They could draw inspiration from cosmic horror, creating creatures that defy explanation—abominations that twist and warp reality itself. We’ve already seen hints of this in Bloodborne’s Great Ones, but a future game could take that to the next level. Bosses could be multi-dimensional entities, shifting between planes of existence or distorting time and space. The possibilities for weird, unsettling, and downright terrifying boss designs are endless.
Character Progression and Customization: More Depth?
One of the joys of FromSoftware games is experimenting with builds and finding the perfect combination of weapons, armor, and abilities to suit your playstyle. In Elden Ring, the introduction of Ashes of War added a new layer of customization, allowing players to tailor their weapon abilities. But where could FromSoftware take this next?
Modular Equipment: In a sci-fi or post-apocalyptic setting, they could introduce modular weapons and gear. Imagine being able to customize not just your weapon’s moveset, but also its elemental affinity, range, or even how it interacts with certain enemies. You could build a gun that shoots lightning, or a sword that siphons health with each hit. This could add an extra layer of strategy, where players would need to adapt their loadouts based on the specific challenges they face in certain areas or against certain bosses.
Deeper Skill Trees: FromSoftware has always kept its RPG elements relatively minimalist, but what if the next game leaned into deeper, more complex skill trees? Players could unlock new abilities, buffs, or even new combat styles as they progress, giving them more control over how their character evolves. A sci-fi setting could also introduce tech-based augmentations, where players can enhance their character’s physical or mental capabilities—at a cost, of course (this is FromSoftware, after all). These augmentations could come with trade-offs, like sacrificing your humanity in exchange for power, which ties into the game’s narrative themes.
Faction-Based Progression: In a world where factions are at war, your progression could be tied to your allegiance. Each faction might offer unique abilities, weapons, or upgrades that reflect their philosophy and approach to survival. Aligning with one faction could lock you out of certain upgrades from another, forcing players to make tough choices about how they want to build their character. Plus, this could tie into the world’s story and create a more personalized experience. Picture it: you join a group of tech-worshipping zealots in a sci-fi setting, gaining access to high-tech weaponry and augmentations, but in doing so, you alienate the more grounded human survivor factions. Or perhaps you align with a band of mutated outcasts in a post-apocalyptic setting, gaining strange, biological enhancements at the cost of your character’s humanity. These choices could drastically shape not just your playstyle but the world around you—changing NPC interactions, quest lines, and even which bosses you face.
Atmosphere: Maintaining the FromSoft “Feel”
No matter how different the setting or gameplay mechanics, one thing that will need to stay the same is FromSoftware’s unparalleled atmosphere. Whether it’s the quiet dread of Dark Souls’ ruined kingdoms, the oppressive streets of Yharnam in Bloodborne, or the somber beauty of Elden Ring’s open world, FromSoft games feel like FromSoft games, and that’s something we’ll always want to see carried forward.
Even in a radically different setting—like a post-apocalyptic wasteland or a derelict space colony—the next game will need to maintain that signature mix of isolation, melancholy, and awe. The world should feel both vast and claustrophobic, dangerous but inviting, and filled with secrets that beg to be unearthed. There’s a certain loneliness to FromSoftware worlds, where you are but a speck in a grander, decaying universe, and that feeling is something we all crave in their games. Whether you’re walking through crumbling skyscrapers or drifting through the void of space, the next FromSoftware game will surely capture that same haunting magic.
Final Thoughts: The Future of FromSoftware
So, what could the future hold for FromSoftware after Elden Ring? It’s exciting to imagine the possibilities. Whether they take us to the farthest reaches of space or a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the studio’s next game will inevitably push boundaries while staying true to their unique, punishing, and deeply rewarding formula.
A sci-fi or post-apocalyptic setting, with new ideas like dynamic world states, deeper character customization, and evolving boss encounters, could offer a fresh twist on the formula while maintaining the core elements that make their games so beloved. FromSoftware has proven time and time again that they can innovate while staying true to their roots. And no matter what direction they take next, one thing is certain: we’ll all be eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to die repeatedly and love every second of it.
What do you think? Would you be more excited for a space-faring epic, a post-apocalyptic nightmare, or maybe something even more out there? Let me know in the comments, if you like, and may we all Praise the Sun for whatever Miyazaki has cooking next!
TL;DR:
FromSoftware’s next game could explore new settings like sci-fi or post-apocalyptic worlds, with ideas like dynamic boss fights, modular weapons, faction-based progression, and seamless multiplayer. While pushing forward with new mechanics and environments, they’ll likely retain their signature cryptic storytelling, brutal combat, and haunting atmosphere. Whatever comes next, it’s bound to be a soul-crushing, awe-inspiring masterpiece!
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