Poll: Do you think From Software is a one trick pony?

[Lufia Erim]

From software, the developpers of the cult classic game Demons' souls and the critically acclaimed Dark souls. They released a new game today by the name of Bloodborn, which is being called the spiritual successor of demons souls. While these game are definatly not for everone, none can deny they haven't been the talk of the town for the last few years. Any thread about these games end up devolving into a debate about if it's difficult or not.

But that is not what i want to talk about today. Today i want to ask if you personally think the developpers are a one trick ponies? No one can deny the similarities in the games . The atmosphere, the challenge ( be it real or fake), the setting , the game play. What they do, they do very well. And in my opinion they improve with ever game ( dark souls 2 is debatable).

The question today is do you think they are one trick ponies? Is this all they are capable of? Will the studio die as soon as these kinds of games stop being novel? Can they branch out? What would you like them to try next? Or should they just stick with what they know ?

 

[hybridial]

I thoroughly enjoyed Kuon on the PS2.

I wouldn't mind if they had another attempt at making a traditional survival horror title at least.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Oh is THAT what Blood Born is? That makes so much sense now.

 

[josemlopes]

Not at all, they do a lot of weird games, most are ok, some are very good but almost all of them are very niche. Armored Core, Tenchu and Otogi were/are great games, if just not for everyone. The Souls series (and Bloodborne) are their big mainstream game now, and it is even older then Demons Souls as it started with Kings Field.

Then you still have the one-offs like Chromehounds, Metal Wolf Chaos and Ninja Blade.

Still, I would really like to see them make a new Tenchu or Otogi.

 

[DoPo]

Oh is THAT what Blood Born is? That makes so much sense now.

Yes, that is correct - all the souls games (and Bloodborne) are, exactly as suggested here: ponies.

Spoiler: Some relevant image I managed to find

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

They released a new game today by the name of Bloodborn

*Bloodborne.

My first experience with From Software was a PS2 third-person survival horror title called Kuon, about a trio of Japanese exorcists ousting demons in a mansion in the (historically sensitive) Heian Era.

My second experience was Echo Night, a PS1 first-person puzzle game set on an ocean cruiser in the early 20th century.

My third experience was Demon's Souls, a PS3 exclusive RPG in the third-person set in a decrepit fantasy land.

Now ask me again if I think From Software is a one-trick pony.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

If they're not, they're not really doing anything to show they can be more.

 

[Gengisgame]

Yes but I really like that pony so I don't mind for now but gameplay wise this is pretty much demon/dark souls,

I can see how people may not like the accusation because the idea of being a one trick pony is seen as a negative. As long as they update or alter things enough so it feels fresh I don't mind.

A more positive spin would be that they specialize, if you changed it to that more people would vote yes.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Most studios are, and if you got the tools/skills to do one type of game really well you stick to that shit until it's run out of steam.

But in this case you never checked out the other game. Their actual development list goes:
- King's Field
- Armored Core
- Tenchu
- Lost Kingdoms
- Otogi
- Chromehounds
- Metal Wolf Chaos
- Ninja Blade
- Demon's Souls
- Dark Souls
- Bloodborne

 

[Casual Shinji]

Do they make games recently that are very similar to oneanother? Yes. Whether this determines if they're a one-trick pony or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves.

Studios like Platinum, Naughty Dog, Bioware, Insomniac, Nintendo, and Sucker Punch make very similar games over and over as well.

 

[L. Declis]

Wait, THESE guys did Armoured Core? I've always loved those games.

I never put it together that From from Armoured Core and From from DS are the same. And they did Kuon as well? I'd love it if they had another attempt at it.

Oh, you got me excited now.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

They're not. In fact they have a history that shows they are pretty diverse.

But even if they are . So what? It's a trick they do well and people enjoy. What's wrong with that?

Studios like Platinum, Naughty Dog, Bioware, Insomniac, Nintendo, and Sucker Punch make very similar games over and over as well.

Exactly.

 

[Timeless Lavender]

Bloodborne is very different than Souls series, especially in terms of gameplay. But isn't it Sony who asked From Soft specifically to make a Souls successor, since they were the one who approached From Soft and brought up the idea. I cannot remember the article so I unable to source it for now.

Also, Bloodborne and darksouls2 were at development at the same time so that is why the games released a year apart.

Lastly, FromSoft are not the only ones that have a "one trick pony" technique because the whole gaming industry have their fair share just like Telltale, Bioware and Bethesda.

 

[Aeshi]

Less a one trick pony and more a four or five trick pony that's stumbled across one particular trick that's making it more money than the others.

Stuff like Armored Core may not have the mainstream popularity of the Souls stuff, but they still have their fanbases. If the Souls series were to disappear one day that'd hurt, but they probably wouldn't go bankrupt.

 

[GTMippey]

My girlfriend and I downloaded a PS2 classic called "The Adventure of Cookie and Cream."
It's about two rabbits looking for the moon. I was surprised to see FS' name attached to it.
Glorious game.

 

[Benpasko]

Wait, THESE guys did Armoured Core? I've always loved those games.

I never put it together that From from Armoured Core and From from DS are the same. And they did Kuon as well? I'd love it if they had another attempt at it.

Oh, you got me excited now.

After Dark Souls 1, I went back and had that realization that Fromsoft has always been making games I loved. Armored Core and Lost Kingdoms are a couple series I was stuck on as a kid, and King's Field 4 is one of my most vivid ps2 memories.

Man, a modern Lost Kingdoms would be amazing. Fromsoft plz.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

As far as I know them from (the Souls games), it certainly seems like it. Going through these other comments, it appears that they are not, but in my book and from my experience, they are. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I think they do this trick very well.
If they came out with a different style of game now, I think I may give it a shot. It would have to be a type that I like, but if they apply the skills they do to the Souls series' stories to a new game, I think I'd be on board in a second.

 

[FirstNameLastName]

Probably, but it's a pretty good trick that still amuses, so I don't really care.