FromSoftware is known for creating some of the most iconic and influential action RPGs ever made. The studio’s reputation largely revolves around Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring – a collection of games known for creating and defining the Soulslike genre. Each game has had a significant influence on the action RPG and action-adventure genres; yet, long before the developer became synonymous with challenging combat and interconnected worlds, it spent years experimenting with unusual mechanics, atmospheric design philosophies, and genre hybrids. Even after the Soulslike boom, plenty of gems still slip through the cracks of attention.
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FromSoftware enjoys providing players with intense, exhilarating, and challenging experiences, and these games amount to some of their hardest yet.
For players who want to dig deeper into the studio’s history and discover the lesser-known corners of its catalog, the following games stand out as the most fascinating and underappreciated.
FromSoftware’s Most Unhinged Experiment in Mech Action
Metal Wolf Chaos is worth playing for its sheer absurdity alone. To take back the USA from a rebellious vice president, the President of the United States climbs into a heavily armed combat mech. The entire experience feels like an action movie parody wrapped in mecha armor.
The humor isn’t all the game has to offer, though, as the gameplay is great fun thanks to the responsive mech mechanics, varied missions, and satisfying destruction physics for the time. The game never takes itself seriously, which gives it a charm unmatched by other titles in the studio’s catalog.
Metal Wolf Chaos‘ obscurity is largely due to having been a Japanese-exclusive on the original Xbox at release. However, a remastered version of the game, Metal Wolf Chaos XD, was released worldwide in 2019 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
A Forgotten High Point of FromSoftware’s Pure Action Era
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
- Released
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December 25, 2003
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Blood, Fantasy Violence
Otogi 2 offers one of FromSoftware’s purest action experiences. Released for the original Xbox, the game delivers fast-paced combat, fluid movement, and a mythic aesthetic inspired by Japanese folklore. Players control supernaturally enhanced warriors who cut through demons, spirits, and legendary beasts. The combat is weighty yet graceful, making each encounter feel like a choreographed battle.
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Despite its quality, Otogi 2 never achieved mainstream recognition. The original Xbox had a limited audience in Japan, and the game was overshadowed by bigger franchises in the West.
Echo Night: Beyond
An Atmospheric Ghost Story Without Combat
Echo Night: Beyond takes FromSoftware’s love of atmospheric storytelling in a completely different direction, most notably by offering an experience with no combat. Instead of focusing on action, it is a slow-paced ghost story set on a lunar space station that prioritizes eerie atmosphere over scares.
While the game was a niche title on release, it has since earned a cult following for its unique tone and thoughtful storytelling. Among FromSoftware’s many experiments, this Echo Night: Beyond remains one of the boldest and most memorable. The fact that the game has a Metascore of 60 but a User Score (at the time of writing) of 8.2 exemplifies the game’s place as an underappreciated gem.
Armored Core: For Answer
Speed, Scale, and Customization
Even with the resurgence of the Armored Core franchise thanks to the acclaimed Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, many players still overlooked the brilliance of the earlier games in the series.
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Armored Core: For Answer is a particular high point in the long-running franchise. The game lets players fine-tune every aspect of their mech, from its mobility to its weapon loadouts, and throws players into missions that offer great variety and engaging battles that require equal measures of sharp shooting and tactical planning. Armored Core: For Answer was the thirteenth entry in the mecha franchise, and a direct sequel to Armored Core 4.
King’s Field: The Ancient City (King’s Field 4)
The Highlight of the Underrated King’s Field Series
Among FromSoftware’s pre-Souls output, King’s Field: The Ancient City is often cited as the studio’s strongest early RPG. And yet, the game is so often overlooked today due to how the Souls games have eclipsed everything that the studio did before them. King’s Field: The Ancient City takes players to a decaying kingdom plagued by a cursed idol, and features the cryptic lore, oppressive atmosphere, and rewarding exploration that the studio has become known for.
Coincidentally, King’s Field: The Ancient City shares an identical Metascore of 60 with Echo Night: Beyond, but, also akin to the survival horror game, boasts a far higher User Score, which currently stands at an impressive 8.5.
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Those looking for something as engaging and entertaining as Elden Ring can turn to some of these games to get their fix.
