Key Takeaways
- FromSoftware games offer rewarding gameplay loops with lengthy adventures that provide players with a sense of accomplishment.
- Titles like Dark Souls, Armored Core, and King's Field offer challenging missions and combat sequences to keep players engaged for hours.
- The studio's signature blend of brutal combat, intricate storytelling, and exploration make their games stand out.
In terms of the discussion around the hottest video game developers out there, it's hard to leave a studio like FromSoftware out of the conversation. The studio has been on a run making games for the Dark Souls franchise, including adjacent games that are even more beloved.
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When picking up a FromSoftware game, players should expect a large adventure that can take them an extended period of time to complete. Many of the longest FromSoftware games take anywhere from 25 to 50 hours to just do mainline content, let alone side quests.
Updated on August 21, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: FromSoftware is one of the most beloved video game studios around. Players have grown to love them after Dark Souls propelled this studio to the very heights of superstardom. The developer strove to make the best action RPGs around after this runaway success, with Elden Ring cementing this studio's presence as one of the greatest video game developers of the modern era. Their games are hard but fair, and do a great job of polishing simple combat mechanics to the point where landing a single combo is more rewarding than most other action games that tend to hold a player's hand. So, it's easy to see why players would want to sink a ton of hours into their current titles while checking out their history and the interesting games they developed before striking gold with Miyazaki at the helm.
All data on game runtimes comes from HowLongToBeat's Main Story metric.
14 Otogi: Myth Of Demons
11.5 Hours
Otogi: Myth of Demons
Action
Hack and Slash
Systems
- Platform(s)
- Xbox (Original)
- Released
- August 27, 2003
A lot of older FromSoftware games are fascinating, since shades of the gameplay and setting that would dominate Dark Souls are present across the vast majority of their titles. Such is the case with Otogi: Myth of Demons, a challenging action game where players control a warrior who inadvertently brings about a wave of destruction that kills him in the process, only for a princess to bring him back in a state of undeath to make up for his sins.
Shades of Dark Souls can be already seen in this premise, with the game prioritizing conservatism in combat so that the player doesn't lose too many health orbs or run out of magic. Otogi: Myth of Demons may be getting on in years, but players who want to enjoy a well-paced action game with destructive environments that lasts for more than ten hours will love what this title brings to the picture.
13 Shadow Tower
15 Hours
Shadow Tower
Action RPG
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
- Released
- June 25, 1998
First-person dungeon crawling can be a hard sell for most players, which is why Shadow Tower can be a tough nut to crack for many. The game shares its DNA with the King's Field series in many ways, with some being more obvious than others. Thankfully, quality-of-life features ensure that this game is nowhere near as frustrating as the series that inspired it.
The game is also lengthy enough for players to get invested in the proceedings, even if the odd progression system can take away a lot from what should've been a smooth and captivating experience. The obtuse stats that have become a staple of FromSoftware games also rear their heads here, meaning that players should do their research if they want to have the best time with this title.
12 Armored Core 2: Another Age
15 Hours
Armored Core 2
Action
Third-Person Shooter
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Released
- October 24, 2000
FromSoftware's decision to reboot the Armored Core franchise comes years since the series was thriving on the PlayStation 2. The longest entry of the bunch was 2001's Armored Core 2: Another Age, which is technically the fifth overall installment of Armored Core.
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In the final game in the initial story arc, players are a mech that is taking jobs from corporations that are having a power struggle with each other. What makes the game so long is that the amount of missions that players usually go on has nearly doubled in this game, with 100 total missions that involve combat sequences.
11 King's Field
16.5 Hours
King's Field
RPG
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
- Released
- December 16, 1994
- Developer(s)
- FromSoftware
Before Dark Souls, there was King's Field. This is the first game made by FromSoftware, with their tendency to make hardcore dungeon crawlers visible from the get-go. Players explore a labyrinth of horrors while managing their stamina and taking out the many enemies that stand in their way. Fans of the Soulsborne games who don't mind checking out a dated game will love what King's Field brings to the table.
This dungeon crawler encourages a smart offensive approach where players must make an effort to avoid as much damage as possible. While this can lead to comical moments of circle strafing and taking potshots, the combat opens up after players make some progress. Death can arrive at any moment, making it important to find Save Points and be conservative in combat so that players don't take unnecessary damage.
10 Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon
17.5 Hours
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Action
Shooter
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:85/100 Critics Recommend:91%
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- August 25, 2023
It was certainly a surprise to see the Armored Core series make a comeback in 2023. It was also a breath of fresh air for fans of the studio who have come to expect the familiar formula patented by Demon's Souls. Armored Core is structured around separate missions instead of taking place in large labyrinthine environments.
Mastering Armored Core 6 is all about trying out different builds and understanding what works best for different missions. Even though it isn't just Dark Souls with mechs, players will still go up against incredibly difficult enemies and impressively large-scale bosses.
9 King's Field: The Ancient City
23 Hours
King's Field: The Ancient City
RPG
Dungeon-Crawler
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Released
- March 25, 2002
The final installment in the franchise, King's Field: The Ancient City was the first main installment on the PlayStation 2 in North America. Because of that, it also allowed FromSoftware to make it the longest of the King's Field games.
The land of Heladin, once thriving, falls into chaos thanks to an idol that their king was given and mistook for a nice gift. After his kingdom of Azalin is gifted the same idol, the protagonist Devian goes on an adventure to return the idol to where it once belonged and prevent both kingdoms from falling into disarray.
8 King's Field 2
25 Hours
King's Field 2
Action RPG
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
- Released
- July 21, 1995
During the early days of FromSoftware, the juggernaut titles that were ridiculously long adventures were the King's Field games. Released in 1996 on the original PlayStation, King's Field 2 crossed the 20-hour mark but wasn't the longest in franchise history.
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Technically the third King's Field since the original was not released outside Japan, King's Field 2 focuses on a prince named Lyle whose father has gone mad and is causing chaos in his kingdom. The game features battling and puzzle-solving, just like previous entries in the series.
7 Demon's Souls
28 Hours
Demon's Souls
Soulslike
Action RPG
Systems
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
- Released
- October 6, 2009
The Dark Souls series didn't start until 2011, but the first game to come out is considered a spiritual successor to Demon's Souls, which was released on the PlayStation 3 in 2009. Strangely enough, Demon's Souls is also considered a spiritual successor to King's Field.
Set in the fictional kingdom of Boletaria, players are tasked with taking on the Old One, a darkness that looms over the kingdom, as well as the king that once ruled there named Allant. The game is considered the birth of the Soulslike genre, which champions brutal combat and environment storytelling.
The PS5 remake by BluePoint takes 24 hours to beat.
6 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
30 Hours
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Action RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:90/100 Critics Recommend:96%
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , PC , Xbox One
- Released
- March 22, 2019
During the era of FromSoftware's Soulslike games, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out as a game that is more of an action-adventure rather than an RPG compared to other titles they have put out. It is also one of the shorter campaigns among them, but not by much.
Unlike other entries where players create their character, the protagonist is Wolf, a shinobi who is seeking to save the Divine Heir Kuro and seek vengeance against those who want to take his life. Sekiro features stealth elements, as well as multiple endings where some choices change how the story plays out.
5 Dark Souls 3
31.5 Hours
Dark Souls 3
Action RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:90/100 Critics Recommend:94%
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , Xbox One , PC
- Released
- March 24, 2016
While some franchises tend to build up to their biggest game, the Dark Souls trilogy decided to end things with a slightly shorter adventure while still coming to a conclusion that left fans satisfied. Dark Souls 3 also carried many of the gameplay elements introduced by its latest predecessor.
As the Ashen One, players must bring the Lords of Cinder back to their throne as part of the linking of the fire ritual. While the main story lasts 32 hours, the game did receive two doses of DLC that further expanded on both the Dark Souls 3 world and the adventure of the Ashen One.
4 Bloodborne
32.5 Hours
Bloodborne
Action
RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:91/100 Critics Recommend:98%
- Platform(s)
- PS4
- Released
- March 24, 2015
Considering many of the Soulslike games by FromSoftware are rather dark, Bloodborne may be the darkest of them all given the many horrific monsters and the inspiration by writers like H. P. Lovecraft. It is also one of the few modern-day FromSoftware games to be exclusive to one platform.
As a hunter, the player must explore the city of Yharnam and defeat the various citizens who live there because of a blood-borne disease that has turned almost all of them into cosmic beasts. Just like many other Soulslike games, Bloodborne leans heavily into exploration as players try to piece together the mysteries of the gothic town.
3 Dark Souls
42 Hours
Dark Souls
Action RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:88%
- Platform(s)
- PS3 , PS4 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Switch , PC
- Released
- September 22, 2011
While Demon's Souls is considered the birthplace of the Soulslike genre, the first Dark Souls game was the first time FromSoftware began to reach a level of popularity that it has yet to come down from. While Dark Souls was not as appreciated as it is now, it has since been given numerous awards that name it one of the best games ever made.
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The setting of the first game has players in Lordran. As an undead individual, players will explore after escaping an asylum and set off on an adventure to Anor Londo, otherwise called the home of the Gods. The game does have an expansion beyond the main story called Artorias of the Abyss.
Dark Souls: Remastered is listed at around 29 1/2 hours to beat, even though it is the same game.
2 Dark Souls 2
43 Hours
Dark Souls 2
Action RPG
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:91%
- Platform(s)
- PS4 , PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC , Xbox One
- Released
- March 11, 2014
One of the key names behind most of the Soulslike games by FromSoftware is Hidetaka Miyazaki. The beloved designer served as director for six of the seven games that fall under that genre. The only game he chose to take a step back for was Dark Souls 2, even if he still served as a supervisor for the project.
Once again an undead hero, players travel to the Drangleic kingdom where they look to be freed from a curse that is held over them. The start of the game involves collecting the souls of four powerful beings to break the curse. Along with the main campaign and all the base game side content, Dark Souls 2 also has a trilogy of DLC.
1 Elden Ring
59.5 Hours
Elden Ring
RPG
Action
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:95/100 Critics Recommend:98%
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
- Released
- February 25, 2022
Most of the Soulslike games are pretty linear in structure, which is why Elden Ring had so many fans intrigued going into its launch as it was a FromSoftware Soulslike that was a massive open world. Understandably so, it turned out to be the longest FromSoftware game by a decent amount.
The game centers around a customizable hero who journeys the Lands Between to become the Elden Lord. The nonlinear aspect of Elden Ring makes it very easy to get lost in the world, for better or for worse. Luckily, many aspects like a ridable horse named Torrent and fast travel were implemented for those who like to get around quickly.
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