in FromSoftwareOne of the most unique and valuable aspects of the unique portfolio of dark fantasy games were secret areas, cleverly hidden behind emote triggers or hidden paths. This design element is particularly emblematic of games such as: dark soul and Elden RingFromSoftware has set itself apart from many other game developers. The goal of this particular mechanic is to reward players who explore and enjoy all parts of the game.
Secret areas have helped create a community of players dedicated to the thrill of discovery and add a very unique aspect to FromSoftware games. However, recent feedback and criticism from fans and FromSoftware creative lead Hidetaka Miyazaki may indicate a change in how these secrets will be handled in future titles.
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Will a very hidden area be erased from the FromSoftware title?
One of the key moments that got the community thinking about potential design changes was: Elden RingRelease of . Players came across the Finger of Shadows ruins in Erdtree, a notoriously hard-to-find secret area, but the location was so obscure that most players had trouble excavating the ruins without guidance. Some players may have completed the DLC without finding the ruins. You might have missed out on an epic boss encounter purely because you didn't perform a specific emote on what appeared to be a solid wall. Elden Ring It pushed the boundaries of FromSoftware's secret-seeking tradition, but perhaps too much.
Elden Ring
Archdragon Peak isn't the only FromSoftware game to hide important content behind emotes.
dark souls 3
It was handled in a similar way.
In an interview with PCGamer, Miyazaki himself acknowledged that if players cannot discover hidden areas or paths through reasonable exploration, then the design has, in a sense, failed. Players should be rewarded for exploring and uncovering secrets without having to do anything overly ambiguous or secretive. So FromSoftware will soon be faced with the difficult task of making these secret locations more accessible without compromising their unique exploration mechanisms, or even breaking away from their inherent ambiguous trigger secrets.
From a design perspective, studios can move towards a balanced approach.
A more balanced approach to hidden content might be one that doesn't rely as heavily on random, ambiguous triggers. Instead of expecting players to unlock entire areas through rare or cryptic gestures, games could encourage players to interact with environmental clues or knowledge-based hints that clearly indicate the secret's existence without revealing it outright. there is. This approach still makes navigation difficult, but it reduces the frustration of potentially missing important parts of the game or having to search for a guide. It is also a direction that reflects Hidetaka Miyazaki's intention to promote discovery while valuing the player's time and effort.
Elden Ring is expanding its player base.
Another factor is the expansion of the player base itself. with Elden RingFromSoftware has reached a wider audience than ever before. Wider audiences bring different expectations about accessibility, both in gameplay and game structure. Many of these new players will be attracted to FromSoftware's world-building and open-world mechanics, but may not be comfortable with how the company's hidden realms can sometimes be extremely vague from the start.
To keep players engaged and ensure new players aren't alienated, FromSoftware may need to make adaptations that make it difficult to reveal secrets while providing rewards. This could lead to a future where these hidden spaces are more explicitly hinted at through lore-based clues, visual indicators, or even NPC guidance, which would still be challenging for veteran players but not overwhelming for new players. NPC guidance may be a standout option. This is a non-intrusive way to help players find these locations, while also making it seem like they were able to uncover their secrets.
in software
Japan-based FromSoftware is a development company best known for the Souls series and the Armored Core franchise. From Software's other popular games include the Elden Ring, Sekiro, Bloodborne, and King's Field series.
- Establishment date
- November 1, 1986
- headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- CEO
- Hidetaka Miyazaki
- parent company
- Kadokawa
- known
- Dark Souls, Armored Core
