Open World Design: Borrowing from Elden Ring?

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The success of Elden Ring has shown that an open-world format can fit well within the soulslike genre. While the Dark Souls games have traditionally had a more linear, interconnected world, Dark Souls 4 might embrace a more expansive environment.

A Larger, Interconnected World

In Dark Souls 4, we can expect a world that feels more open while retaining the interconnected, maze-like structure that the series is known for. Elden Ring’s success with exploration and hidden secrets may influence the design, leading to Dark Souls 4 - https://asamigames.com/dark-souls-4-everything-we-know-so-far/ having more varied environments and dynamic locations. Hidden paths, secret areas, and multi-tiered levels might offer even more surprises than before, making exploration as punishing as it is rewarding.

Dynamic Day-Night and Weather Systems

Another feature that could carry over from Elden Ring is the dynamic day-night cycle and weather systems. Imagine traversing a haunting, decaying castle at dusk only for the atmosphere to change dramatically when night falls, bringing new threats and altering enemy behavior. The weather system could affect visibility, mobility, and even certain enemy types, adding a new layer of strategic complexity.

Lore and Storytelling: Diving Deeper into the Abyss

FromSoftware is renowned for its environmental storytelling and cryptic lore. The stories of Dark Souls are typically conveyed through item descriptions, subtle environmental cues, and minimal cutscenes. Dark Souls 4 will likely continue this tradition, while perhaps offering a slightly more direct narrative approach inspired by Elden Ring and Bloodborne.

Exploring New Themes of Despair and Rebirth

Every Dark Souls game delves deeply into the themes of despair, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Dark Souls 4 could expand upon this by exploring the idea of true extinction or the end of the flame entirely. How would a world without the flame — the very source of all power and conflict in the series — continue to exist? We might witness a truly broken world, on the brink of utter collapse, offering a new level of bleakness and existential dread.

Familiar Faces, New Roles

Fans of the series may expect to see returning characters, or at least their spiritual successors. Dark Souls 4 could bring back beloved NPCs or echoes of their stories, with characters like Solaire of Astora or Siegmeyer of Catarina making an appearance in some form. However, their roles may be completely redefined in this new narrative landscape, possibly shedding light on untold aspects of their backstory or lineage.

 

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