What Did Dark Souls Copy?
The popularity of the Dark Souls franchise has led many to ponder about its origins and sources of inspiration. As with many great works of fiction, Dark Souls has not emerged from a vacuum; instead, it has taken cues from various games and influences to create its distinct brand of dark fantasy world. In this article, we will explore the what did Dark Souls copy concept, examining the inspirations and influences that have helped shape the game’s setting, mechanics, and artistic style.
The Antecedents: Demon’s Souls and FromSoftware’s Legacy
Before we begin our journey, it is essential to acknowledge the pioneer that started it all. Demon’s Souls, another masterpiece from FromSoftware (the same developers behind Sekiro and Bloodborne) is often cited as one of the main inspirations for Dark Souls. First released in 2009, Demon’s Souls borrowed heavily from Western RPG tropes, particularly the exploration and combat mechanics found in games like Diablo and Borderlands. FromSoftware iterated on these concepts for the next few years until Dark Souls’ release.
Severance: Blade of Darkness – Another Notable Influence
If you were expecting a sole source of inspiration for the Dark Souls series, please reconsider. Another significant antecedent is Severance: Blade of Darkness. Although released in 1997, this 1997 action RPG, often considered a cult classic, has many elements that have had a lasting impact on later FromSoftware games. Think exploration, visceral combat, and atmospheric environments. Severance’s creator, Action Forms, explicitly influenced the Dark Souls project, and their shared traits can be seen in almost every aspect of the gaming experience.
Mystical and Historical Inspirations
Dark Souls has several mystical, mythological, and cultural references scattered throughout. Some of these draw inspiration from Western symbolism (e.g., Christianity, Norse mythology); others delve into Asia’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating elements from Japanese and Chinese mythology alongside various historical periods.
Artistically, the series is drawn from a wide range of styles, including:
• Oil and watercolor paintings: Certain visual elements, such as textures and brushstrokes, evoke a sense of atmospheric realism.
â•° Futuro-Industrial aesthetic in environments and architecture, suggesting a post-apocalyptic urban landscape.
‫ Medieval atmosphere in certain settings, alluding to a forgotten land.
╹³ Japanese ukiyo-e artstyle for some characters and armor designs.
Table summarizing key inspirations (Please adjust as per our requirement)
| Inspiring Source | Contribution / Traits |
|---|---|
| Demon’s Souls | Exploration, exploration, combat mechanics |
| Severance: Blade of Darkness | Exploration, vicious combat, atmospheric environments, combat mechanics |
| Norse mythology | Mythological settings, creatures, and quests |
| Japanese mythology (Kojiki) | Folklore-inspired characters and locations |
| Western literature and symbolism | References in quests, items, characters |
| Asian and world art styles | Texturing, brushstrokes |
| Futuro-Industrial architecture | Post-apocalyptic settings |
| Medieval-era art and architecture | Environment settings |
Other Obscure Influences
In addition to named sources, other elements less apparent to the average Dark Souls player are present; some examples include:
⬜ Silence and Atmosphere: These two aspects have become trademark qualities of FromSoftware; however, insights from the world of sounds and music can enrich our understanding of their atmospheric significance.
⬝ Psychological themes: Many players and critics associate Dark Souls with existential thought and psychological introspection due to the presence of similar themes, ideas, and concepts shared between various sources, these may have contributed to further refining the narrative.
️ Tolerance and acceptance of exploration failure: FromSoftware promotes the idea that discovery is as much failure as success, an alluring aspect that draws our attention to the beauty lies within the imperfections rather than solely in success-oriented mechanics.
In conclusion:
- Dark Souls borrowed heavily from Demon’s Souls.
- Severance: Blade of Darkness presented inspiration for exploration, fight mechanics, and environments,
- Norse and Japanese mythology, amongst others, provided source Material.
- Exploration, visceral combat, and atmospherical settings were also an important aspect of Dark souls
- *There were also less obvious cues like the role of mood, sound, and story to enhance the atmosphere
While this list may leave you wondering, there would always be some unpinched sources. It just proves how deep and multilayered Dark souls and its inspiration. Would love to discuss more within this article.
I could continue with this information we are talking about a fascinating game series that draws creativity from a variety of creative fields.