FromSoftware’s Elden Ring completely changed the perception of Souls-like games. The success of this game, which sold 20 million copies, came as a real surprise to the studio itself, but other developers quickly noticed.
In 2023, Souls-style games have undergone a major evolution. Following well-received games like Lies of P, a new standard has been set for the genre, with analysts expecting another boom in similar games in 2024.
In a conversation with Games Industry, analyst Tom Weiman from Newzoo announced his predictions for 2024. He pointed to changes such as the use of artificial intelligence in game development as a key goal for Square Enix this year, but also laid out his expectations for the Souls genre of games.
Tom Weyman believes that Elden Ring is the reason for this impending onslaught of Souls-like games, and the game is motivating many studios to see it through in 2024. He said: “We are expecting a flood of announcements showcasing these projects».
Several games have already been announced to confirm this. Rise of the Ronin is the latest release from Team Ninja, which has been dedicated to the genre since the release of Nioh in 2017. Black Myth: Wukong will be released this year and will be another highly anticipated game in this genre. While not confirmed, PlayStation’s Stellar Blade also shows hints of Souls-like elements.
FromSoftware’s formula of creating incredibly gritty games never fails to attract audiences. However, other developers have rarely figured out how to implement the aspects that this Japanese studio excels at.
With renewed interest in Souls-like games, more and more teams will move closer to FromSoftware’s approach. The large number of studios contributing to the genre should also add more variety, taking it beyond the typical medieval or Victorian setting.
