Story Highlight
  • Dark Souls 2 is the most divisive FromSoftware game due to various reasons. 
  • Hidetaka Miyazaki states that Dark Souls 2 allowed the series to evolve in many ways.
  • He believes the game was a good project for the team overall.

Dark Souls is FromSoftware’s flagship IP. With 35 million copies sold and various entries exploring different concepts, the franchise is among modern gaming’s most influential IPs.

However, not every game is universally beloved. Dark Souls 2, in particular, remains a divisive entry among fans and critics. Still, director Hidetaka Miyazaki believes it was a good project for the team that paved the way for future excellence.

Why it matters: Dark Souls 2, despite its nature, has a dedicated community that holds it in high regard.

Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 3 Image via Steam

The man behind Dark Souls, Hidetaka Miyazaki, himself has defended this entry in a recent interview. Speaking to IGN, he reflected on the game and what it meant for future Souls releases.

Without Dark Souls 2, we wouldn’t have a lot of the ideas that went forward and carried the rest of the series.

-Hidetaka Miyazaki

Upon release, Dark Souls 2 changed the franchise to its core.

From level design to combat, the game was a departure from its predecessor in many ways. It also received criticism for a visual downgrade, which harmed the overall vision of FromSoftware.

The game was initially intended to emphasize dark lighting and careful navigation. However, many of these changes went out of the window when the game launched with a different lighting model.

Still, Miyazaki states that he is now more comfortable with other developers directing future games. He believes that different directors can offer their own perspectives, likely bringing more variety to the series.

Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2 Screenshot via Steam

As the director said, Dark Souls 2’s influence on modern FromSoftware games is undeniable. Even titles like Elden Ring, which sold 23 million units, benefitted from this game in multiple ways.

However, we have our thoughts on Dark Souls 2. While we ultimately did not enjoy the game, it is good to see Hidetaka Miyazaki recognizing this entry for all the things it did right.

Regarding Elden Ring, the studio recently showed off Shadow of the Erdtree. The expansion costs $40, but it seems worth the cost due to the content highlighted in the trailer alone.

Was our article helpful? 👨‍💻

Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔

Obaid Ur Rehman
[How-To Guides Expert] Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city's aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity! Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com Google IT Certificate Shehryar Khan