Rekindling the Flame

What comes next after Elden Ring?  It's a question I've been asking myself ever since I finished the game.  The answer is "DLC...probably."  Obvious replies aside, it seems like Elden Ring sold quite well.  Hopefully that will give From Software the breathing room they need to take some creative risks in the future.  Specifically, I feel like the fundamental mechanics of their third-person action-RPGs (which began with Demon's Souls roughly 15 years ago) have more or less run their course.  Granted, Bloodborne and Sekiro did make some changes to the formula.  However, I don't think there's enough mechanical depth to make a sequel for either of those games and keep it feeling fresh throughout.  Capcom ran into a similar problem with Resident Evil awhile back.  Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis were all critically acclaimed successes with each selling better than the last.  Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica, on the other hand, were a bit stale while the first-person shooter spin-offs Survivor, Gaiden, Dead Aim and Outbreak were simply not good.  Thankfully, the franchise got a major overhaul in the form of Resident Evil 4.  Even though their games are still of a superior quality, I think From Software would be wise to take a similar approach in this regard.  Now is also a good time to make the transition because of the jump in capabilities that comes with next-gen hardware (PS5/Xbox One X).  At the very least replacing their current (and rather old) engine would allow From Software to integrate facial animations in their motion capture process, as well as address long-stating camera control issues.

Setting-wise, I think the mastermind behind From Software, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is at his best when working on a new IP...which is why I'm going to bring up my idea of doing something in a sci-fi setting again.  Not necessarily hard science fiction...more like something along the lines of "Enemy Mine", "Forbidden Planet", or "Dune".  If you think of Bloodborne as Miyazaki's take on the Castlevania series, then imagine what his interpretation of Metroid would be like.  When you think about it, Elden Ring already has things like teleporters, time travel and elevators.  Swap out magic for psionics and monsters for hostile xeno-organisms and you're halfway there.  Of course, art direction and level design at From Software continue to be some of the best in the industry.  So, no need to fix what isn't broken.  That said, any new game coming out of that studio (regardless of setting) would benefit greatly from major changes to the way it plays.

The oddly named Youtuber "DJ Peach Cobbler" claims that while Elden Ring is a great game, it feels like an ending rather than a new beginning.  Another (more blandly named) Youtuber, Noah Caldwell-Gervais, echoed this sentiment in his lengthy retrospective on the Dark Souls trilogy by pointing out that making sequels to a game that is all about how clinging to the past invites disaster feels like a misstep in principle.  Every fire eventually fades.  Miyazaki and his talented team of game developers have linked the first flame that began with King's Field many times now.  The question is when will they let that fire burn out and usher in a new age?