Reviving Covenants: An Essential Addition to FromSoftware's Games

Exploring the potential benefits of reintroducing covenants in future FromSoftware titles.
Reviving Covenants: An Essential Addition to FromSoftware's Games

Highlights

  • Covenants in FromSoftware games add depth to storytelling and player engagement.
  • The absence of covenants in Elden Ring leaves room for enhancement in future sequels.
  • Reintroducing covenants in an open-world setting could elevate the player experience.

Elden Ring embodies FromSoftware's signature intricate world-building in a vast interconnected open world, a significant departure from its linear roots. The landscape seamlessly transitions between diverse biomes like Limgrave, Liurnia, and Caelid, showcasing the studio's innovative adaptation of the Soulslike formula.

Despite the successful preservation of familiar features in Elden Ring, such as bonfire checkpoints and challenging bosses, the absence of covenants is notable. These unique factions, if included, could have enriched the game's narrative and player interactions.

The Appeal of FromSoftware's Covenants and Oaths

Covenants, present in previous titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, offer players additional lore and gameplay depth. Through interactions with NPCs and covenant-specific items, players engage with the game world on a deeper level, enhancing both PvE and PvP experiences.

  • Cainhurst Vilebloods (Corruption oath rune)
  • Executioners (Radiance oath rune)
  • Hunter of Hunters (Hunter oath rune)
  • The League (Impurity oath rune)
  • The Blood Beast (Beast’s Embrace oath rune)
  • Lumenwood Kin (Milkweed oath rune)

The inclusion of covenants not only adds richness to FromSoftware's storytelling but also provides players with a sense of belonging and purpose. This feature was notably absent in Elden Ring, leaving room for improvement in future installments.

Embracing Covenants in Future Titles

While Elden Ring opted out of incorporating covenants, there is potential for their revival in future FromSoftware games. With the studio's experience in crafting open-world environments, reintroducing covenants could elevate the player experience and offer new avenues for exploration and engagement.

Whether in a direct sequel to Elden Ring or a new IP, the reintroduction of covenants stands as a promising feature that aligns with FromSoftware's tradition of delivering immersive and intricate gameplay experiences.