FromSoftware’s Souls games are known for being extremely unforgiving and brutal, and as such, every release from the developer is accompanied with a debate of including an easy mode for those who want it. As you might imagine, there’s never been a definitive conclusion to that debate- but series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has shed some light on his thoughts on the matter.
In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Miyazaki talked about how the difficulty is a big part of the appeal of these games, so much so that its a part of the franchise’s and studio’s identity. According to Miyazaki, the difficulty of FromSoftware’s games give meaning to the experience, and as such, the team isn’t currently willing to abandon its signature difficulty.
“We are always looking to improve, but, in our games specifically, hardship is what gives meaning to the experience. So it’s not something we’re willing to abandon at the moment. It’s our identity,” Miyazaki said.
Additionally, he also expressed his feelings towards the many fans who want to conquer these tough challenges but give up for some reason or the other.
“I do feel apologetic toward anyone who feels there’s just too much to overcome in my games. I just want as many players as possible to experience the joy that comes from overcoming hardship,” he added.
Miyazaki’s latest release (in conjunction with George R.R. Martin) Elden Ring has been met with immense critical and commercial acclaim. As of the time of writing, Elden Ring stands at 97 rating on Metacritic– making it the highest rated game of 2022 by a solid margin.