Summary
In terms of the discussion around the hottest video game developers out there, it’s hard to leave a studio likeFromSoftwareout of the conversation. The studio has been on a run making games for theDark Soulsfranchise, including adjacent games that are even more beloved.
When picking up a FromSoftware game, players should expect a large adventure that can take them an extended period of time to complete. Many of thelongest FromSoftware gamestake anywhere from 25 to 50 hours to just do mainline content, let alone side quests.
Updated on June 03, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:FromSoftware is one of the most beloved video game studios around. Players have grown to love them after Dark Souls propelled this studio to the very heights of superstardom. The developer strove to make the best action RPGs around after this runaway success, with Elden Ring cementing this studio’s presence as one of the greatest video game developers of the modern era. Their games are hard but fair, and do a great job of polishing simple combat mechanics to the point where landing a single combo is more rewarding than most other action games that tend to hold a player’s hand. So, it’s easy to see why players would want to sink a ton of hours into their current titles while checking out their history and the interesting games they developed before striking gold with Miyazaki at the helm.
A lot of older FromSoftware games are fascinating, since shades of the gameplay and setting that would dominateDark Soulsare present across the vast majority of their titles. Such is the case withOtogi: Myth of Demons,a challenging action game where players control a warrior who inadvertently brings about a wave of destruction that kills him in the process, only for a princess to bring him back in a state of undeath to make up for his sins.
Shades ofDark Soulscan be already seen in this premise, with the game prioritizing conservatism in combat so that the player doesn’t lose too many health orbs or run out of magic.Otogi: Myth of Demonsmay be getting on in years, but players who want to enjoy a well-paced action game with destructive environments that lasts for more than ten hours will love what this title brings to the picture.
First-person dungeon crawling can be a hard sell for most players, which is whyShadow Towercan be a tough nut to crack for many. The game shares its DNA with theKing’s Fieldseries in many ways, with some being more obvious than others. Thankfully, quality-of-life features ensure that this game is nowhere near as frustrating as the series that inspired it.
The game is also lengthy enough for players to get invested in the proceedings, even if the odd progression system can take away a lot from what should’ve been a smooth and captivating experience. The obtuse stats that have becomea staple of FromSoftware gamesalso rear their heads here, meaning that players should do their research if they want to have the best time with this title.
FromSoftware’s decision to reboot theArmored Corefranchise comes years since the series was thriving on the PlayStation 2. The longest entry of the bunch was 2001’sArmored Core 2: Another Age, which is technically the fifth overall installment ofArmored Core.
In the final game in the initial story arc, players are a mech that is taking jobs from corporations that are having a power struggle with each other. What makes the game so long is that the amount of missions that players usually go on has nearly doubled in this game, with 100 total missions that involve combat sequences.
BeforeDark Souls, there wasKing’s Field. This is the first game made by FromSoftware, with their tendency to make hardcore dungeon crawlers visible from the get-go. Players explore a labyrinth of horrors while managing their stamina and taking out the many enemies that stand in their way. Fans of theSoulsbornegames who don’t mind checking out a dated game will love whatKing’s Fieldbrings to the table.
This dungeon crawler encourages a smart offensive approach where players must make an effort to avoid as much damage as possible. While this can lead to comical moments of circle strafing and taking potshots, the combat opens up after players make some progress. Death can arrive at any moment, making it important to find Save Points and be conservative in combat so that players don’t take unnecessary damage.
It was certainly a surprise to see theArmored Coreseries make a comeback in 2023. It was also a breath of fresh air for fans of the studio who have come to expect the familiar formula patented byDemon’s Souls.Armored Coreis structured around separate missions instead of taking place in large labyrinthine environments.
MasteringArmored Core 6is all about trying out different builds and understanding what works best for different missions.Even though it isn’t justDark Soulswith mechs, players will still go up against incredibly difficult enemies and impressively large-scale bosses.
The final installment in the franchise,King’s Field: The Ancient Citywas thefirst main installment on the PlayStation 2 in North America. Because of that, it also allowed FromSoftware to make it the longest of theKing’s Fieldgames.
The land of Heladin, once thriving, falls into chaos thanks to an idol that their king was given and mistook for a nice gift. After his kingdom of Azalin is gifted the same idol, the protagonist Devian goes on an adventure to return the idol to where it once belonged and prevent both kingdoms from falling into disarray.
During the early days of FromSoftware, the juggernaut titles that were ridiculously long adventures were theKing’s Fieldgames. Released in 1996 on the original PlayStation,King’s Field 2crossed the 20-hour mark but wasn’t the longest in franchise history.
Technically the thirdKing’s Fieldsince the original was not released outside Japan,King’s Field 2focuses on a prince named Lyle whose father has gone mad and is causing chaos in his kingdom. The game features battling and puzzle-solving, just like previous entries in the series.
TheDark Soulsseries didn’t start until 2011, but the first game to come out is considered a spiritual successor toDemon’s Souls,which was released on the PlayStation 3 in 2009. Strangely enough,Demon’s Soulsis also considered a spiritual successor toKing’s Field.
Set in the fictional kingdom of Boletaria, players are tasked with taking on the Old One, a darkness that looms over the kingdom, as well as the king that once ruled there named Allant. The game is considered the birth of the Soulslike genre, which champions brutal combat and environment storytelling.
During the era of FromSoftware’s Soulslike games,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicestands out as a game that is more of an action-adventure rather than an RPG compared to other titles they have put out. It is also one of the shorter campaigns among them, but not by much.
Unlike other entries where players create their character, the protagonist is Wolf, a shinobi who is seeking to save the Divine Heir Kuro and seek vengeance against those who want to take his life.Sekirofeatures stealth elements, as well as multiple endings where some choices change how the story plays out.
While some franchises tend to build up to their biggest game, the Dark Souls trilogy decided to end things with a slightly shorter adventure while still coming to a conclusion that left fans satisfied.Dark Souls 3also carried many of the gameplay elements introduced by its latest predecessor.
As the Ashen One, players must bring the Lords of Cinder back to their throne as part of the linking of the fire ritual. While the main story lasts 32 hours, the game did receivetwo doses of DLCthat further expanded on both theDark Souls 3world and the adventure of the Ashen One.
