While Dark Souls brought FromSoftware into the spotlight, the studio has a long history, creating many games over the decades. Although most of these earlier titles aren’t well-remembered – with the focus being on their more recent ‘Soulsborne’ games – many of them share similarities with the gameplay found in those popular titles, even if they do show their age.
It’s really interesting to look back at FromSoftware’s older games. You can often spot the beginnings of ideas and features that they would later refine and use in their more famous titles. It’s like watching the evolution of their signature gameplay elements.
10. Chromehounds
A Mech Option That Isn’t Armored Core
Chromehounds takes place in an alternate 1945 where a company developed powerful, mech-like vehicles called Advanced Combat Vehicles (ACVs). These ACVs quickly became key weapons for major nations around the world, changing the face of warfare.
The online portion of Chromehounds is no longer available, meaning you can’t play it online. However, you can still enjoy the game’s single-player mode, which might appeal to players who like games such as Armored Core.
9. Otogi: Myth of the Demons
Here You’ll Find Similarities to Dark Souls 2
Otogi: Myth of the Demons shares a lot of similarities with Dark Souls 2, but with a historical Japanese setting instead of a dark fantasy one. You play as a swordsman resurrected from the dead with the mission of protecting Japan from a demonic invasion. It’s a fast-paced action game focused on combat.
Otogi features a unique magic meter that depletes even when you’re not fighting, similar to Dark Souls 2. If it runs out, you’ll die! The game is packed with action and draws you in with its use of mythology. It’s a fantastic choice even if you typically don’t enjoy Souls-like games, as it’s generally more forgiving.
8. Kuon
A Forgotten PlayStation 2 Survival Horror
Kuon is a survival-horror game that’s a bit different from FromSoftware’s typical style, but it’s still a good game if you enjoy the horror genre. It really captures the atmosphere of classic horror games from that time period, and if you’ve played those, you’ll likely find it nostalgic due to its design.
The game uses fixed camera angles, similar to the original Resident Evil titles. While you can run, it might attract more enemies, introducing a bit of stealth gameplay. You’ll play as three different characters, and each one has a unique weapon to fight with.
7. Evergrace
Dark Souls Before Dark Souls
| Platforms | PlayStation 2 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 26, 2000 |
Evergrace feels like the precursor to Dark Souls, and that’s immediately apparent while playing. You control one of two characters in a world that operates similarly to the later Souls games. Enemies do reappear, but not in a predictable way – they respawn slowly and at random, rather than after each death. This unpredictable enemy behavior creates a distinct challenge.
The game’s music is fantastic, but the story is presented in a very similar way to the Souls games. You’re not given much explanation at the beginning; instead, you have to piece together the lore yourself through exploration. It’s clearly inspired by FromSoftware’s storytelling approach, and you can see how they developed that style.
6. Lost Kingdoms (1 and 2)
An Early Deck-Builder Game
Lost Kingdoms is a unique title from FromSoftware, differing from the studio’s typical games. Both games in the Lost Kingdoms series share similar stories, presenting a traditional RPG experience with a princess and a villain who wields magic.
Lost Kingdoms is an action RPG with fast-paced, real-time battles. What makes it different is that instead of choosing actions directly, you use a deck of cards – a system more commonly found in turn-based games. It’s an unusual combination that sets it apart.
5. Eternal Ring
Not to Be Confused with Elden Ring
Despite sharing a similar name, Eternal Ring is a very different game from Elden Ring. However, it’s clear to see how it influenced Elden Ring’s development years later. While it isn’t FromSoftware’s best title, it’s a fascinating look at the origins of ideas used in their subsequent games.
FromSoftware is known for trying new things in their games. Eternal Ring, an early first-person RPG, let players craft and use rings to cast spells – a system reminiscent of the Materia system in Final Fantasy. While Eternal Ring was innovative, Elden Ring’s story is much more compelling, making it the superior game overall.
4. Shadow Assault: Tenchu
The Predecessor of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
| Platform | Xbox 360 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 8, 2008 |
As a big fan of ninja games, I was really excited to try Shadow Assault: Tenchu. It’s part of the Tenchu series, which is known for fast-paced, action-packed gameplay. While it reminded me a little of Sekiro in terms of the ninja vibe, it definitely doesn’t feel as refined and it shows its age a bit. Honestly, it leans way more into the action side of things, whereas Sekiro really makes you think about stealth and strategy first.
I really like playing Tenchu. It blends action and puzzle elements, which is perfect because I’m a big fan of puzzles. However, if you don’t enjoy that combination, or find tricky puzzles frustrating, you might prefer one of the other games available – some of Tenchu’s puzzles can be pretty unusual!
3. King’s Field
A Classic Series from FromSoftware
King’s Field is a series of games known for its timeless design. Even though the first game came out in 1994 with the original PlayStation, it still holds up well today. If you’re a fan of older RPGs, you’ll probably enjoy the King’s Field games.
Okay, so in King’s Field, I found myself spending way more time just wandering around and checking out the world than actually battling bosses – and, yeah, dying to them a lot! It’s not quite as brutally hard as the Souls games, but you start off pretty weak, so it’s still a challenge. What I really liked was how the game lets you get stronger – it doesn’t feel grindy, it just feels… natural. You genuinely feel yourself improving as you play.
2. Enchanted Arms
A Game Sillier Than Usual for FromSoftware
Enchanted Arms is a Japanese role-playing game with characters that can be unintentionally silly, giving the story a somewhat over-the-top feel. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s a distinct style that might not appeal to all players.
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Even though the story isn’t always strong, the combat is enjoyable and stands out as a positive aspect of the game. If you’re familiar with recent FromSoftware titles and looking for something a little less challenging, Enchanted Arms is a good option, especially if you want to avoid overly difficult boss battles.
1. Echo Night
FromSoftware’s Fatal Frame in Space
The Echo Night trilogy, created by FromSoftware, takes place on a spaceship haunted by ghosts. These games combine elements of horror, science fiction, and adventure, creating a spooky but not overly frightening experience. While not jump-scare heavy, they excel at building a chilling atmosphere and the dread of being stranded in the vastness of space with unsettling and bizarre events.
Unlike many horror games, Echo Night doesn’t let you fight back. Instead, you survive by solving puzzles and staying hidden – a style similar to the game Fatal Frame. What sets Echo Night apart is how interactive its environments are; you can touch and examine almost everything, making the locations feel incredibly immersive and believable.
Founded way back in 1986, FromSoftware created games for decades before becoming famous for hits like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. Because of this long history, they have a library of older titles that many gamers have never heard of. While we eagerly await their next big release, exploring FromSoftware’s earlier work can be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
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2026-05-31 17:41