It doesn’t look likeElden Ringwill be getting a direct sequel, at least not any time soon. Fans of 2022’s most critically acclaimed game may feel that this is disappointing, but manyfamiliar with FromSoftware’s historyare less than surprised. After all, the famed developer has a history of avoiding sequels.
Beloved games likeBloodborneandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice—titles that many consider to be some of the greatest gaming experiences of all time—have yet to get sequels, and as the years continue to fly past, such follow-ups seem less and less likely. All of this is to say that FromSoftware isn’t a company that is motivated to release new chapters in franchises if it doesn’t feel natural, or if new ideas don’t organically spring forth. Perhaps one of the reasons why this is so surprising to so many gamers is that similar restraint is almost nonexistent in the realm of AAA gaming, where every IP must be squeezed for all it’s worth, as dictated by the relentless forces of the market. FromSoftware could piece together a money-making machine in the form of anElden Ringsequel, but its unwillingness to do so allows for greater creative opportunities.
Why the Lack of an Elden Ring 2 Could Be a Blessing in Disguise
Elden Ring Doesn’t Need a Direct Sequel
Shadow of the Erdtreeis practicallyElden Ring 2, and the DLC’s scale may have prompted some players to speculate about the potential of a proper sequel to the base game. An actualElden Ring 2could be a significant leap forward for the IP, revolutionizing some of its core mechanics while introducing players to a new side of The Lands Between, with new conflicts, characters, and the like.
But this prospect might not be as lovely as it sounds. Certainly,Dark Soulsgot two sequels, but the nature of that fictional world is cyclical; there was room in the narrative for exciting, intriguing, and plausible story developments. It’s hard to imagine whatElden Ring 2would entail, not just in terms of its story and lore, but also in terms of its setting and overall premise, both of which would necessarily inform the gameplay. Sure, the sequel could take place in The Badlands, The Land of Reeds, or any other faraway land touched on inElden Ring, but at that point, FromSoftware would perhaps be better off making a completely new IP inspired by these lands. This way, the studio would be free to try new ideas, untethered to the events and mechanics of the firstElden Ring.
There Might Not Be an Elden Ring 2, But That Doesn’t Mean the IP Will Be Left Behind
After tellingGame Watch that there are no plans for anElden Ring 2, Miyazaki noted that FromSoftware is not “denying development of the IP,” suggesting that the door is still open to some form of continuation. While an eventual sequel could be underwhelming for the aforementioned reasons, a spin-off title, perhaps one where the player fills the role of a key character like Godfrey before the shattering, could be an interesting route. PerhapsElden Ringcould even spread beyond the medium of gaming, receiving a TV show or film adaptation that better details the rich lore of its world.
Of course, these are just speculative possibilities, and it’s hard to saywhat exactly the future has in store forElden Ring. One thing is for certain, though: FromSoftware doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, and with so much potential buried withinElden Ring, it will be an exciting IP to keep an eye on, despite the absence of a sequel.
Elden Ring
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ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
