Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Elden Ringboss Hidetaka Miyazaki’s name is synonymous with innovation and bold design choices. The mastermind behind theSoulsseries, Miyazaki, has always pushed the boundaries of game design.
In a revealing 2019 interview aboutSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Miyazaki hinted at a pivotal shift in FromSoftware’s approach to game development. This shift ended up influencing the creation ofElden Ring, the studio’s highly anticipated open-world title.
Elden Ring Was a Clear Evolution From Sekiro
In a2019 interview with Game Informer, Miyazaki spilled the beans on the development ofSekiroand the approach he took with the game.
While it has FromSoftware’s signature style of tough enemies, incredible boss design, and sleek combat system, among other things, it stood out (and still does, to this day) as an outlier compared to the rest of its medieval fantasySoulsgames.
“We don’t want to go too far”: Even Hidetaka Miyazaki Knows One Decision Could’ve Been the Self-Destruct Button for Dark Souls 3
There were many new facets to the game that differed from FromSoftware’s previous titles, but one of them was the world exploration. When questioned about the game’s world design and player freedom, Miyazaki hinted at a shift towards a more open-ended experience:
We feel like Sekiro’s probably on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of the freedom the player has to explore the world
Unlike the linear progression of previous titles, around the midgame, players were granted a lot more freedom in terms of where they could explore. There were a lot more optional areas and bosses that you could go to, and these could be accessed at any time after a certain stage of the game.
This newfound sense of exploration and discovery may have been a way for FromSoftware to test the waters and realize its ambitious plans for future games, as we can see inElden Ring.
“Oh, goodness what was I thinking”: Hidetaka Miyazaki isn’t Likely to Work on any Bloodborne Remake for 1 Relatable Reason
Elden Ringturned out to be a huge step away from the company’s classic linear format, more so thanS:SDT; it gave us a gigantic open world where we have the freedom to go almost anywhere at any time, as long as we make it to the area alive.
How Sekiro Strayed From the Classic FromSoftware Formula
Another key departure from theSoulsseries inS:SDTwas the skill tree system, replacing the traditional stat-based leveling. Miyazaki explained the rationale behind this decision:
The introduction of a skill system meant that we could allow people to unlock every facet of this multi-talented ninja.
![[REDACTED] Review (PS5) – Innovation Caught the Escape Pod Faster Than We Did](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05095712/redacted-review-768x432.jpg)
Unlike theSoulsseries, where players can specialize in specific builds and acquire a weapon that fits this build,S:SDTwas more about using the tools that the game already gave you.
This meant players really had to ‘git gud‘ to progress through the game, as you couldn’t grind to level 100 and blaze through.
What do you think about Miyazaki’s approach toSekiro? Did his risks pay off, or did he go too far? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Vibha Hegde
Critic/Gaming Writer
Articles Published :594
Vibha is an avid gamer that has been writing about video games for several years. When they’re not complaining about the lack of a Bloodborne sequel or brushing up on the Yokoverse lore, Vibha is busy watching 3-hour video essays on horror games they’re too scared to play themselves.
