FromSoftware has become one of the most beloved developers in the industry, and a fresh round of rumors are making really exciting claims about one of its next games. The developer is known to be working on its Nintendo exclusive project, The Duskbloods, but these new rumors say that FromSoftware is actually also working on a secret pirate game. FromSoftware hasn’t confirmed or denied anything, so the potential project should be viewed with heavy skepticism until it’s actually revealed.
Even if the FromSoftware pirate game rumors turn out to be a bust, I’ve been thinking about what the ideal version of this project would look like. Everyone has their own opinions, but Bloodborne is still the peak of FromSoftware for me. Elden Ring may be the developer’s most recent game, but it falls flat for me in some key ways that have me hoping this potential pirate game looks to older FromSoftware titles for inspiration instead of its massive open-world fantasy.
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Elden Ring’s Open World Could Definitely Work for a Pirate Game, But It Needs to Embrace Bloodborne’s Tighter Focus
The rumors about the pirate game don’t give many details, but they do at least mention that a core mechanic will be sailing the seas and exploring islands. This doesn’t necessarily have to be experienced through an open-world map, but it’s probably the better route in that sense. A great open-world game doesn’t have to boast a massive map, though. Elden Ring‘s map size is comparable GTA 5‘s map, and it sometimes feels like overkill. I know this is super subjective. Some people really love massive maps. Crimson Desert‘s map is one of the most recent games to prove just how much some gamers like to travel across a large landscape, but FromSoftware’s strengths play better in more tight-knit worlds.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)
Even just going a little bit smaller than Elden Ring‘s map size would be a step in the right direction. There are plenty of games with larger maps than Elden Ring that are fantastic, but one of the many things that makes Bloodborne so replayable is that its smaller size incentivizes returning because it isn’t as daunting. A happy balance between Elden Ring and Bloodborne‘s size would be ideal. Yharnam’s interconnected design can be expanded a bit larger to accommodate sea-faring adventures.
Bloodborne’s Combat Feels More Well-Suited for a Pirate Adventure
I liked Elden Ring‘s combat. The more methodical approach to boss fights can be really satisfying, but Bloodborne‘s fast-paced fighting is simply a better match for pirates. Bloodborne is a more aggressive game, but that isn’t the only thing that should inform a pirate project’s gameplay. The smaller build variety is actually a plus. Just like its map, Elden Ring‘s weapons go above and beyond when it comes to trying to give players everything in one experience. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, though. Bloodborne‘s smaller weapons roster may not be as freedom-focused, but each weapon looks and feels incredibly unique. The designs are more well-thought-out, which adds a deeper personality to Bloodborne‘s world.
Two Words… Gun Parry
One of the most satisfying parts about learning Bloodborne‘s combat mechanics is getting the hang of the gun parry. There are tons of crazy hard fights in Bloodborne, and the gun parry feels so good once you first nail it. Instead of defense, the parry encourages more intense encounters, and it’s a solid adrenaline rush.
If FromSoftware really is working on a pirate game, then there are bound to be some guns thrown into the weapons roster. A pirate game without any guns would be really shocking. Of course, that also sounds like something FromSoftware would consider doing just to subvert expectations. If guns are included in FromSoftware’s next game, though, it would hopefully also mean the return of Bloodborne‘s gun parry mechanic. The parry system could potentially be even better.
Giving Bloodborne’s Cosmic Horror a Pirate Twist is Too Good a Combo to Pass Up
Pirates and cosmic Lovecraftian horror would be a dream come true for a lot of gamers. There are some great games inspired by Lovecraft out there, but a FromSoftware pirate game inspired by the genre has the potential to be the peak of this kind of adaptation. FromSoftware proved with Bloodborne that it can absolutely nail dreadfully bleak worlds that are cosmically doomed. Elden Ring‘s Lands Between is a beautiful world. It can also feel really peaceful when a character’s life isn’t on the line, though. A peaceful-feeling pirate game isn’t a bad thing by any means, but there aren’t enough stories that have tried to blend pirates and horror. There is so much potential for this kind of genre crossover, and FromSoftware is the perfect developer to see that through.
Another Pirate Game Already Has the Sunny Vibes Covered Anyway
One of the most anticipated releases right now is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. This Assassin’s Creed entry isn’t just considered one of the best in the franchise. It’s seen by many as one of the best pirate games ever and has some great cozy qualities. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag‘s release date is just around the corner, too. There’s no telling when FromSoftware plans to address the rumors about its pirate game, but it’s hopefully soon. If the developer is jumping into the world of pirates, it needs to feel very different from Black Flag Resynced.
I’m probably falling into a trap of wishful thinking here, but a world where Black Flag Resynced is a sunny and vibrant experience, and FromSoftware complements that with its polar opposite sounds like an ideal scenario. It would truly be the best of both worlds when it comes to great pirate games. Pirates in general don’t get the love they deserve, and Black Flag Resynced and the rumored FromSoftware project hopefully change that.
Other pirate games, like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and Return to Monkey Island, have been great in their own right, but Black Flag Resynced and FromSoftware could kickstart a renaissance. All that can be done right now is wait and see if FromSoftware really does have a pirate project cooking in the oven. If so, it hopefully fully embraces the potential that a Bloodborne-inspired cosmic horror game has going for it.
