From Software has been making video games since the PlayStation 1, creating some memorable titles likeBloodborne,Dark Souls, andDemon Souls,but From Software also has a massive number of non-Souls games as well. Although many From Software fans are looking forward toElden Ringor apossibleBloodborne 2for the PS5, there’s a lot of reasons to look backwards over From Software’s long video game history.
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1986, From Software released its first title in 1994. It is most known for creating incredibly difficult games, spawning the moniker “Souls-like” for hard games with similar combat to theDark Soulsseries. but From Software has a massive library of games it has made, including games that bear little resemblance to its most famous titles.
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Armored Core
Released in 1997,Armored Coreis aFrom Softwaretitle for the PlayStation 1. It’s a third-person mech shooter that began the series. Along withArmored Core, which was received mostly favorably by critics and gamers alike,Armored Core 2in 2000 andArmored Core 2: Another Agein 2001 were also fairly popular. While this series was a big hit in its time, it’s mostly been overshadowed by the success of theSouls,Bloodborne, andSekiro.
Lucky for those who love this series, forgotten or not,From Software has said it is not done with theArmored Coreseries back in 2017, which gives lovers of giant mech games some hope.
King’s Field 2
King’s Fieldwas a series of first-person RPGs in the 1990s, which took place in a medieval setting. The firstKing’s Fieldwasn’t very well-received and was only released in Japan. However, the second in the series was much more popular and made its way overseas asKing’s Fieldin the US. In it, the brave knight Alexander takes on the world’s most dangerous dungeons to get the holy relic known as the Moonlight Sword. While some critics of the game belittled its slow, dramatic movement, this game was pretty positively received for the PS1. There are many that think thatKing’s Fieldcould do with a remake, even more thanDemonorDark Souls.
Echo Night 2: The Lord of Nightmares
Echo Night 2is one of the besthorror games that no one played. Surprisingly,Echo Night 2is not a sequel toEcho Night 1, but a stand-alone game that is more of a reimagining of the first, using the same main character, antagonist, and themes, with some major improvements.
It moves about as far from aSoulsgame as From Software can get without moving away from the gory horror elements that madeBloodborneandSoulswhat they were. While not themost difficult survival horror gamesever,Echo NightandEcho Night 2are interesting for their complete lack of weapons for the protagonist to fight with, which was more fresh at the time that it is nowadays. Players only have access to light to fight the evil that’s culminating around them.
The Adventures of Cookie & Cream
The Adventures of Cookies and Creamis something so far removed from aSoulsgame that it doesn’t even look like a From Software title. While mostFrom Software titles revolve around gritty medieval fantasy locations,The Adventures of Cookie & Creamwas an adorable adventure game for the PS2 and the Nintendo DS. It follows two bunnies that have to save the moon, or they can never celebrate another Moon Festival, which is their favorite holiday. This cutesy game was positively reviewed because of its wacky gameplay, adorable graphics, andMario Party-style multiplayer mini-game battles.
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Otogi and Otogi 2
OtogiandOtogi 2are hack-and-slash titles from From Software that are full of action, adventure, and excitement. Nominated in 2003 for the “Best Game No One Played” award,Otogimet with warm reception on the original Xbox from the few who played it. The sequel had slightly lower review scores, but still got pretty positive reviews overall. Arguably, these are two of the best games that no one ever heard of, even though they are some of the best titles in From Software’s massive, 33-year history in the gaming industry. Considering the time, these games both have beautiful graphics that look like a mix ofDevil May CryandSekiroorNioh 2.
Shadow Tower Abyss
Shadow Tower Abyssis an RPG sequel toShadow Tower. This game released for 2003 on the PS2, and it was the testing grounds for many ofthe Souls games' mechanics, especiallyDemon Souls. Many of the elements of the locations and plot feel a lot like From’sKing’s Fieldseries too. It seems like the culmination of everything that From Software was and started the company down the track of what it would become. There is a lot to love about this game, even though the graphics are now a little outdated.
Metal Wolf Chaos
Metal Wolf Chaoswas released exclusively in Japan for the original Xbox in 2004. It’s a third-person shooter filled with the mechs that From Software seems to love so much. The main character is fictional President Wilson, who pilots a mech to help save the USA from a coup by the Vice President. While it was not originally planned for a release in America, it did end up on this side of the water, thankfully. Aremaster was announced forMetal Wolf Chaosat E3 in 2018, and it was released in 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.platforms on 02 July 2025.
Yoshitsune Eiyuden: The Story of Hero Yoshitsune
Another From title that was exclusively released in Japan,Yoshitsune Eiyuden: The Story of Hero Yoshitsuneis a historical game based on Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a legendary samurai. A mix between an RTS and a 3D action-adventure game,Yoshitsuneis a sort of hack-and-slash filled with images of ancient Japan. It takes place during the Genpei War in Japan which lasted from 1154 to 1192, and it’s one of the manygames likeGhost of Tsushimathat are set in ancient Japan. This title doesn’t seem to be available in English anywhere, not even a fan dub, so players will have to be familiar with Japanese to be able to enjoy this game.
Another Century’s Episode: R
Although released in just 2010,ACE:Ris yet another forgotten mech game from From Software. If gamers have been missing goodGundamvideo games,Another Century’s Episode: Rwill scratch that mech-shaped itch. This is one of many titles in theACEtimeline, but it is the first with the ability to move the same pilot to different mechs in aWarframekind of way. The action is fast, exciting, and in the air, giving players flight along with their other attachments. This game’s graphics are new enough not to feel as dated as some other forgotten From Software titles, and this one is worth a try for anyone who loves giant robots. IfGundams can bring messages of hope, peace, and giant mechs, so canACE:R.
