Dark Souls 4 – Everything We Know So Far

Do We Need Dark Souls 4 After Elden Ring?

With Elden Ring overtaking RPG landscape, many gamers can’t help but wonder if we ever get the fourth sequel in the other’s From Software’s franchise – Dark Souls 4. The Dark Souls trilogy touched the hearts and other organs of many hardcore action RPG fans. This title became synonymous with brutal combat and complex level design in a dangerous dark fantasy world where strange characters live. And even inspired hundreds of other studios to create similar games called “souls-likes”. The previous Dark Souls 3 game was released almost 10 years ago and the fans keep asking more often – is there going to be a Dark Souls 4?

However, we should also ask ourselves – do we need another “Souls” game? It could be, on one hand, a welcome return. Elden Ring felt huge, even overwhelming at times. A more focused, tight world like in the previous three titles could bring back the magic of earlier Souls games. We could get a more thoughtful and complex level design, iconic boss battles, and a refined combat system. And then, of course, there’s the nostalgia: the gloomy world of Dark Souls still somehow feels like home to so many fans.

But, on the other hand, after Elden Ring, another Dark Souls might feel unnecessary for some gamers. It is also true. Elden Ring’s innovations of open-world exploration, day and night cycles, and free will truly pushed the genre forward. Going back to a classic Dark Souls game may only appear as a step backward, especially if the formula won’t evolve. Moreover, the “Soulsborne” subgenre already has such brilliant titles with unique mechanics as Sekiro, Bloodborne, and Nioh, to name a few. Where would the space for Dark Souls 4 release?

Will There Be a Dark Souls 4 Game?

However, it is not up to us to decide whether we get the Dark Souls 4 announcement or not. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco are the guys responsible for this series to be developed and released worldwide.

And for now, there is no confirmation or evidence that Dark Souls 4 is in development. FromSoftware has not disclosed anything about even the possibility of playing this game in the future. We’d rather get the sequel to Elden Ring because of its huge commercial success and popularity. However, many fans on Reddit believe that FromSoftware is secretly developing Dark Souls 4. The same people also have high expectations for the development of the sequel to another blockbuster game – Bloodborne 2.

The Latest Leaks From Developers and Insiders

Every other month since 2016 fans get another “insider’s” Dark Souls 4 leak with “100% real information”.  Some insiders keep telling on YouTube, 4chan, ResetEra, and Reddit that DS4 will be a mix between the classic level design from the original trilogy and some open-world elements that helped make Elden Ring such a massive hit.

The other YouTube blogger claims that Dark Souls 4 will focus on completely new kingdoms and characters rather than revisit old, familiar territories such as Lordran or Lothric. This could be a bigger Souls setting, with new stories being told but still offering that gut-wrenching grimy darkness the fans know and “love”.

Other insiders hope that the developers led by Hidetaka Miyazaki will take the series deeper into its lore and, perhaps, can explain how the First Flame appeared as we knew it in the original Dark Souls game.

But we advise do not to take these rumors and leaks seriously, they just remain fantasies because FromSoftware hasn’t yet confirmed Dark Souls 4 officially.

What Gameplay Features We’d Like To See?

Leaks and official news aside, fans still can dream and fantasize about the lore and gameplay of not-yet-released Dark Souls 4. Let’s start with the most possible gameplay mechanics and tweaks that can actually happen in the game.

Better Combat Mechanics

We want to see the improved and responsive parry system, more different defensive moves, and smoother melee combat like the one from Sekiro. Also, more weapon classes with unique skills can be great.

Open World Elements

Taking the tight level design of the original games and integrating larger, more exploratory sections from Elden Ring would be nice to explore. Dynamic day/night cycles may also affect enemy behaviors, such as opening up events that can only be encountered at specific times.

Better Mobility of a Main Character

Increased features such as a dedicated jump button or the ability to climb structures for even more vertical exploration. In such a way, players could explore without being worried about dying all the time from minor tumbles.

More Improved RPG Elements

It would be nice to see more classes, stats, and abilities to customize the character to fit your playstyle. Your decisions should affect the story and world in meaningful ways to create multiple possible endings to the game, providing much more replayability.

Better Multiplayer Features

Dark Souls 4 has to have a seamless co-op and PvP multiplayer mode. Smoothened online interaction for seamless summoning and invasions along with in-game events.

Iconic Foes

Fans want to see in Dark Souls 4 new bosses that learn from how you fight, offering a different experience from every encounter. Fan-favorite foes from the previous titles are also welcomed.

Adding these features to the game would make Dark Souls 4 not only a sequel but a truly groundbreaking game with awesome gameplay mechanics.

Speculations and Rumors about DS4 Lore

Well, at this point, the most common rumor is that the Dark Souls 4 release date could bring us a new era in the lore – “Age of the Deep Sea”, hinted in Dark Souls III. Gamers would love to explore the dark, abyssal waters, with the familiar landscapes taking the form of drowned ruins washed with aquatic terrors. Imagine going through the drowned kingdom infested by grotesque mutants.

Another great thing that we might get is the looped universe of Dark Souls. The previous games have dealt with the linking and fading of the First Flame, and a new game’s story may well and truly focus on this event as well. Perhaps the Flame could finally die, plunging the world into an Age of Dark. Or maybe a new form of flame could appear to change the balance between light and dark.

Another lore-related thing we want to see in Dark Souls 4 is the return of famous characters, either in spirit or through legacies. Certain figures, like Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, or Manus, Father of the Abyss, may have their stories expanded or reimagined. Returning NPCs would be Andre of Astora or deceitful Patches. What a nostalgic journey this can be!

We’d also like to talk to those grotesque primordial serpents – Frampt and Kaathe. Their quests could involve what exactly was meant by those few enigmatic beings, shedding light on mysteries that have plagued players for years.

When Could We Get a New DS Game?

Since 2016 FromSoftware has been busy creating games such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring with a huge DLC, and Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. For now, we don’t know yet anything about even the release window for this game. But we can fantasize, depending in logic and possible scenarios for the development cycle’s beginning.

Please remember – all these suggestions are just suggestions! Just like everybody else we know nothing about the Dark Souls 4 release date, development, gameplay, or lore. But we would love to get the official confirmation anytime soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Dark Souls 4 come out? 

Currently, there is no confirmed Dark Souls 4 release date. FromSoftware hasn’t even announced its plans to create this title.

Is Dark Souls 4 confirmed? 

Dark Souls 4 has not been confirmed either from FromSoftware or any other official sources. We recommend you not to trust any “insider’s leaks.

Is there a Dark Souls 4 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, or Nintendo Switch? 

We are not sure about the possible platforms for Dark Souls 4. You can play all other three games on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Conclusion

What lies in the darkness for Dark Souls 4, only time will be able to tell. But the enthusiasm of fans doesn’t go down. Hopefully, FromSoftware will decide to re-ignite the flame or seek new horizons for a new Dark Souls game once again. Meanwhile, all fans can do is speculate and hope as they keep the spirit of the legendary series alive in anticipation of what might come next.