FromSoftware Games might want to consider a Doom: The Dark Ages feature

FromSoftware games are notoriously challenging. In an action-RPG from FromSoft, it's not just the bosses that will make a single player game, but so are the regular enemies, and that high level of challenge has become a bit of a rage in recent years. But Doom: The Dark AgesSurprisingly, it might hold the key to solving this ongoing debate about FromSoftware's problems.

First announced at the June 2024 Xbox Showcase, Doom: The Dark Ages is the next main entry in the long-running Sci-Fi shooter franchise, and this time, things get a little more fantastical. During the recent Xbox Developer Direct, id Software shed more light Doom: The Dark Agescombat, story and exploration, offering plenty of gameplay footage for each aspect. id Software also introduced a new custom difficulty setting for Doom: The Dark Ageswhich might be something for FromSoftware to consider in the future.

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Doom: The Dark Ages turns a series tradition on its head

Doom: The Dark Ages adheres to the Doom formula despite its many differences, but one major change might be felt more than others.

Future FromSoftware Games Could Borrow Doom: The Dark Ages' Difficulty Customization

FromSoftware games have to strike an impossible balance

While FromSoftware's games have been challenging since the studio's debut (in 1994 The King's Field), a discussion of that high level of challenge has continued to grow stronger over the past decade, usually resurfacing with the release of a new FromSoftware action RPG. On one side of the fence, some FromSoft fans believe that the high level of challenge is an inherent part of the experience, and that removing it would remove an essential part of the developer's unique identity.

While that might be true, it's undeniable that FromSoftware's higher difficulty level can often be a major barrier to entry for newcomers. Contrary to the beliefs of some fans, this is not always a “skill issue”. There are many players who experience physical disabilities that affect their reaction time or ability to perceive minute changes in enemy attack patterns. These players have frequently discussed how FromSoftware games are simply inaccessible to them due to the lack of any difficulty options. This is the place Doom: The Dark Agescustomizing difficulties might provide a solution.

How the Doom: The Dark Ages difficulty system might work in a FromSoftware game

While it's certainly not the first AAA game to offer custom difficulty options, Doom: The Dark Agesthe mechanics have some clear similarities to FromSoftware's action RPGs, making a direct comparison between them appropriate. Doom: The Dark AgesCustom difficulty settings will allow the player to manually adjust individual gameplay components such as enemy aggressiveness, projectile speed, parry windows, player damage, and overall game speed. Those who do not want to adjust any of these values ​​can simply choose one of them Doom: The Dark Ages' preset difficulty options, just like any previous entry in the franchise.

This could be a good way for future FromSoftware games to strike a balance between the two aforementioned schools of thought. Players who want to experience the FromSoftware experience could simply play the game as usual, while those who want to adjust the difficulty to best suit their needs or desires could. Introducing accessibility options does not mean that it would inherently affect the experience for some fans, or even affect their experience at all.

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