FromSoftware's history is tumultuous and interesting. Ranking the games by Metacritic shows their trajectory from a niche studio releasing action RPGs and the Armored Core franchise to one of the most influential developers of the past fifteen years under the direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Because of the company's age, not every game has a score on the website, but the data goes back to the early aughts, presenting a solid idea of their history. Their story goes to show; one can never tell which studio will create the next big gaming phenomenon. It could be one toiling away in obscurity right now. Additionally, multi-platform games are shown with the highest score they received from the consoles they came out on.
37 2012: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (38)
While releasing after the Dark Souls games started, few Kinect titles had a worthwhile reception, and Steel Battalion was no exception.
36 2008: Shadow Assault -Tenchu- (46)
This downloadable game was more puzzle-oriented than the series' standard fare. The overhead gameplay feels like a mix between Bomberman and the old Metal Gear games.
35 2002: Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit (48)
Give the Xbox's small Japanese install base, one should not expect strong sales from this exclusive title. It didn't help that it received lackluster reviews upon release, either.
34 2005: Armored Core: Nine Breaker (57)
The removal of any story mode proved controversial, something reflected in the lukewarm critical response. Without a developing narrative, the gameplay loop quickly grows tiresome.
33 2004: Kuon (57)
The quirky gameplay of this survival horror title found favor with some gamers. The developer always had a tinge of horror in their games, but this one makes terrifying gamers its ultimate goal.
32 2000: Evergrace (59)
Evergrace isn't as fondly remembered as other PS2 launch titles.
Its unique features couldn't make people forget its repetitive and uninteresting combat.
31 2006: Armored Core: Last Raven (59)
The last Armored Core on the PS2 did not reach impressive critical highs. Complaints were lobbied at its extreme difficulty and reliance on trial and error.
30 2004: Echo Night Beyond (60)
Some of FromSoftware's output is strange, and the Echo Night series proves this reputation. A science-fiction ghost story following two newlyweds sounds more like a mad libs session than a game concept.
29 2002: King's Field: The Ancient City (60)
One sees some DNA from King's Field in the Souls genre, only this series was in first-person and extremely slow-paced. It has compelling ideas, but the combat is sluggish and uninteresting.
28 2000: Eternal Ring (62)
Another first-person RPG and PS2 launch title, Eternal Ring failed to impress thanks to some jank from what some reviewers perceived as a rushed development.
27 2008: Armored Core: For Answer (64)
The thirteenth game in the series received complaints upon release for its online component. Reviewers found it difficult to even find a game or opponents.
26 2002: Forever Kingdom (64)
The prequel to Evergrace received a slightly better reception than its predecessor, but still nothing to garner any mainstream attention.
25 2019: Metal Wolf Chaos XD (65)
A game which can best be described as awesomely ridiculous, the Japan only Xbox exclusive recently was re-released on consoles. Its gameplay is unrefined, but some can look past it to have the opportunity to play as the president of the USA in a mech.
24 2006: Armored Core 4 (65)
The title impressed with its visuals and improvements to accessibility for the notoriously difficult series, but some still decried its online component and difficulty. It wouldn't be niche if everybody loved it, right?
23 2013: Armored Core: Verdict Day (66)
Few games in the series received scores over seventy. Even after the studio's popularity with Dark Souls, not everything they released turned out a hit.
22 2005: Armored Core: Formula Front (66)
The hook of this PSP launch title was the player building a robot which would then fight independently of the player's control. The North American version let players fight as the mech, however.
21 2012: Armored Core V (68)
This title hearkens back to the series' old days, where tact took precedent over reflexes. Like most of its peers, the barrier for entry is high for newcomers.
20 2009: Ninja Blade (68)
This action game takes cues from Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden, featuring boss finishers and quick time events, elements notable absent from the studio's legendary titles.
19 2002: Lost Kingdoms II (68)
The sequel retained the same gameplay of its predecessor, but some of the sheen must have worn off, giving it a slightly lower average score.
18 2018: Deracine (68)
A departure for director Hidetaka Miyazaki, Deracine is a laid back VR fantasy game about fairies. It certainly was not what fans were expecting, though it is hard to say if that contributed to the less than stellar reviews.
17 2003: Silent Line: Armored Core (69)
The innovation added to the series in this title was individual weapon damage. If a part of the arsenal took too much fire, it became unusable for the mission's duration.
16 2006: Enchanted Arms (69)
What makes this game unique is its turn based strategy combat mixed with the random encounters of traditional JRPGs. It came out on the 360 first before hitting the PS3 a year later.
15 2006: Chrome Hounds (71)
Despite its average scores, the game amassed a small legion of dedicated fans clamoring for a sequel due to its unique online campaign. However, one has yet to be announced.
14 2003: Lost Kingdoms (72)
The GameCube exclusive game is an action RPG revolving around card collecting. A rarity for the genre, especially at the time, is a multiplayer versus mode where two decks can be pitted against each other.
13 2004: Armored Core: Nexus (73)
The 2004 title stands higher amongst its younger brethren, but lower than its predecessors, marking the star of a steady decline.
12 2002: Armored Core 3 (74)
Despite the lack of dual analog control, something expected from most action games from the era, the game still managed to impress with its additions to the Armored Core formula.
11 2001: Armored Core 2: Another Age (75)
This was the last game of the series before the third numbered entry rebooted the story. By all accounts, it was a solid way to end a narrative.
10 2000: Armored Core 2 (78)
FromSoft had numerous PS2 launch titles, and Armored Core 2 stands as the finest among them and the highest rated in the series.
9 2001: The Adventures Of Cookie And Cream (78)
Certainly an outlier in the catalog, one won't find mech battles or gothic inspired stories. It is pure action-adventure platforming for The Adventures of Cookie and Cream.
8 2004: Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (79)
This Xbox exclusive series managed fine reviews, but for one reason or another isn't remembered among the system's iconic titles.
7 2003: Otogi: Myth Of Demons (80)
The destructible environments and long length finely showcased the Xbox's superior rendering capabilities. The gameplay was not half bad, either.
6 2011: Dark Souls (89)
A significant score jump, the premier Dark Souls game sports all the hallmarks of the influential series. Refinements future games made to the combat have this game showing its age, but it is still an excellent title.
5 2009: Demon's Souls (89)
Before Dark Souls, there was Demon's Souls. The enigmatic title released to little fanfare, but people slowly started unravelling its secrets as a dedicated community materialized around the now legendary and historically important game.
4 2016: Dark Souls III (89)
It is hard to say if a Dark Souls IV will come to pass, but if Dark Souls III is the conclusion, the series can rest knowing it ended on a high note
3 2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (90)
Arguably their hardest title to date, fans couldn't get enough of Sekiro's setting, grueling difficulty, and new combat system. The talking protagonist and clearer narrative was a different approach for Hidetaka Miyazaki.
2 2014: Dark Souls II (91)
While not directed by Miyazaki and generally considered the weakest among fans, Dark Souls II still found high praise from critics.
1 2015: Bloodborne (92)
Five years after its release and fans still sing Bloodborne's praises from the mountaintops. The victorian-inspired setting, varied combat, and enemy designs are preferred by many over Dark Souls. As a PS4 exclusive, it is one reason for Sony fans to feel proud of their console.
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