8 Settings FromSoftware Should Explore in its Next Soulsborne Title

If you enjoy games made by FromSoftware, you’re likely familiar with their popular ‘Soulsborne’ series – titles like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne. These games are known for their incredible worlds and settings, which are a major highlight for many players.

The Dark Souls games are famous for their grim, medieval fantasy worlds. Bloodborne switched things up with a gothic look, and Elden Ring blended renaissance-era fantasy with gothic elements, creating a unique style.

The unique settings are a key part of what makes the Soulsborne games so immersive, but FromSoftware might want to try something different next time. Here are 8 ideas for settings that I think would work well in their next game.

8. Fairytales

Many Are Dark

Disney popularized the idea of happy endings in fairytales, but the original stories were often quite grim. This makes the fairytale world an ideal backdrop for a challenging and atmospheric game in the style of FromSoftware’s Souls series.

The game Lies of P recently proved that reimagining a familiar childhood story as a dark and challenging action game can be incredibly popular. This suggests that FromSoftware, the creators of games like Dark Souls, could also benefit from basing a new game on a single, overarching story—perhaps even weaving together elements from multiple classic fairytales.

It would be amazing to reimagine iconic fairytale characters as NPCs in the style of Souls games, especially since that aesthetic would complement Bloodborne’s dark and gothic atmosphere.

7. Deep Space

Aliens

I’ve always loved how FromSoftware includes these really bizarre, otherworldly creatures in their games. Like, remember Bloodborne? Those Celestial Minions were seriously creepy and felt like something straight out of a cosmic horror story. It just proves how good they are at designing these unique and unsettling enemies.

The next game could take players to the far reaches of space. Imagine discovering a brand new planet, or being stranded on a spaceship caught in a black hole where time is warped and unpredictable.

The developers’ skill in designing bizarre and challenging enemies could be applied to crafting truly frightening alien creatures for players to battle. While other ‘Souls-like’ games have attempted this with varying degrees of success, FromSoftware has the potential to master this type of setting.

6. Cosmic Horror

Go Beyond Bloodborne

Elden Ring hints at cosmic horror, particularly with bosses like Astel who wield gravity-based powers and have a celestial design. This theme isn’t new to FromSoftware games; Demon’s Souls featured similar elements with enemies like the Mind Flayers, and Bloodborne is heavily inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

FromSoftware has the potential to build a whole new game around these ideas. They could explore how Astel arrived in The Lands Between, or delve further into the possibility of other powerful outer gods existing throughout the universe.

I’ve been thinking about this game, and it’s amazing – you could really get lost in a story about these gods and where they came from. You could be a simple servant, just trying to survive by doing what they ask, or you could become a hero and actually fight back against them, even take them down! It’s such a cool idea.

5. Conquistadors

Spreading Religious Views

Both Dark Souls and Bloodborne feature religions and associated groups. Dark Souls includes organizations like the Church of Londor and the Church of the Deep, while Bloodborne centers around the Healing Church.

Imagine if a FromSoftware game centered around a church trying to grow its power into a new kingdom. The story could follow members of this ‘Healing Church’ traveling to a distant land with the mission of spreading their beliefs as widely as possible.

This echoes the primary motivations of the conquistadors from the 15th and 16th centuries. Imagine a kingdom expanding into a new land, often involving violence against indigenous people and attempts to impose their religion.

4. The Crusades

Religious Onslaught

Looking even further back, the Crusades offer a compelling backdrop for a Souls-like game. This era was marked by intense religious conflict and violence, but also surprisingly led to the sharing of ideas between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Similar to the ‘Conquistador’ concept, FromSoftware games often feature NPCs devoted to various religions. These faiths could provide a justification for followers to invade and conquer nearby lands. You might play as someone supporting this religious expansion – potentially causing kingdoms to fall – or as a rebel fighting against it, aiming to depose a tyrannical ruler.

This period sits right within the Middle Ages, providing FromSoftware with a familiar setting while also allowing them to explore strong themes of religion in their game.

3. Cyberpunk

Dark Sci-Fi

Cyberpunk stories often feature futuristic cities controlled by corporations and people with extensive body modifications. Although no FromSoftware game has explored this theme yet, it’s certainly possible – a grim science fiction world wouldn’t feel too different from their established dark fantasy settings.

A few games inspired by the Souls series have started adding science fiction themes to their narratives. A good example is Lies of P, which takes place in a world that blends steampunk with sci-fi.

FromSoftware might consider moving away from traditional fantasy settings with their next game, perhaps exploring a futuristic world. Imagine equipping weapons directly onto your arms and enhancing your character with body modifications. They could even build the game in a dark, sprawling city much like Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.

2. Monsters of the Deep

The Ocean Floor

Okay, so FromSoftware is amazing at creating these bleak, fantastical worlds, right? But I was just thinking… what if they made a Souls-like game set in the modern day, but underwater? Like, imagine something went horribly wrong and everyone had to move to the ocean floor to survive. That would be seriously incredible and terrifying!

Subscribe to the newsletter for more FromSoftware setting ideas

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

This setting fits well with the grim atmosphere found in FromSoftware’s Souls games, and opens up opportunities to introduce unique underwater creatures as enemies. The developers have previously included aquatic life like crabs and lobsters in their games – even the Orphan of Kos from Bloodborne was a monster connected to the sea.

As a huge fan, I’m really hoping this means FromSoftware will get to dive deeper into the lore of these monsters and maybe even show us how they change and develop over time! It would be amazing to see more of their backstory and evolution.

1. Pirates

Cerulean Onslaught

A pirate setting would be an ideal fit for FromSoftware’s next game in the style of Bloodborne and the Souls series. The rough-and-tumble life of pirates aligns well with the franchise’s challenging gameplay, and it opens up opportunities to introduce sailing and naval combat.

Picture yourself exploring a world of islands, like in a Soulsborne game, battling enemies to protect your hard-earned loot. You’d defeat hordes of foes to gain even more riches – it almost seems like a dream come true.

This is the only game on the list that’s been publicly mentioned through leaks – specifically, a leak about FromSoftware’s future projects. This suggests there’s a chance ‘Cerulean Onslaught’ could actually be developed.

2026-06-16 17:44