Dark Souls

Dark Souls (ダークソウル, Dāku Sōru) is an action role-playing video game developed by FromSoftware. It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and published by Namco Bandai Games internationally. A spiritual successor to FromSoftware's Demon's Souls and the second installment of the Souls series, Dark Souls began development under the working title of Project Dark. The game was released in Japan on September 22, 2011, and in North America, Australia, and Europe the following month. On August 24, 2012, the "Prepare to Die" edition of Dark Souls was released for PC, featuring additional content previously unavailable to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 users. On October 23, 2012, the additional content from the PC version was released as downloadable content for consoles under the title Artorias of the Abyss.Dark Souls takes place in the fictional kingdom of Lordran. Players assume the role of a cursed undead character who has been chosen to make a pilgrimage out of the Undead Asylum to discover the fate of the Undead.

Armored Core

Armored Core is a mecha-based video game series developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and mobile phone platforms. Armored Core games are third-person shooters, in which the player pilots a large mecha called an Armored Core. Armored Core: Verdict Day is the fifteenth and latest title in the series; it was released worldwide on September 2013.

Common elements

Story elements vary widely throughout the series but gameplay is generally focused on the player's character as a silent protagonist, acting as a mercenary, completing missions assigned by various in-game corporations and individuals. The player's character pilots his or her mecha (armored core) to perform duties such as destroying enemy units/facilities or protecting a designated element from the attack by the opposing forces.

The game places a heavy emphasis on customization; the structure of the mecha the player uses in combat is standardized and modular, consisting of a number of interchangeable parts. The mecha is composed from parts the player obtains by finding them in missions, fulfilling certain requirements, or by buying them from an in-game shop. Money is earned by finishing missions; typically each mission has a set reward for its completion from which deductions are made based on damage taken, amount of ammunition used, and completion time. Certain missions also offer bonuses for completing optional objectives.

FromSoftware

FromSoftware, Inc. (株式会社フロム・ソフトウェア, Kabushikigaisha Furomu Sofutowea) is a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986, who are known primarily for being the developers of the Armored Core and Souls series, along with the Souls spin-off game Bloodborne.

History

FromSoftware was founded in 1986, and developed office software for the first several years of their existence. They released their first video game, titled King's Field, as a launch title for the PlayStation in 1994.

In April 2014, Kadokawa Corporation announced the intention to purchase the company from former shareholder Transcosmos. The deal was finalized on May 21, 2014.

FromSoftware expanded into a new office in Fukuoka in October 2015, which began operations in January 2016.

In December 2015, FromSoftware was nominated for developer of the year at The Game Awards 2015, but lost to CD Projekt RED.

Games

FromSoftware have developed for a wide range of platforms, including the Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Microsoft Windows and various mobile phones. With fifteen titles developed, the Armored Core series is the studio's longest running franchise. The most recent title, Armored Core: Verdict Day was released worldwide in September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Earlier, less notable outside Japan, titles include Enchanted Arms, King's Field, Chromehounds, Otogi and Tenchu series, all of which have been met with mostly favorable reviews. The studio also has strong ties to Sega, which distributes most of these titles overseas.

King's Field

King's Field (キングスフィールド) is a medieval-themed first-person role playing video game produced by FromSoftware for the PlayStation in 1994. It is the first entry in the King's Field series. Unlike its sequels, the game was released exclusively in Japan, affecting the numbering of subsequent entries for their western releases. A fan-translation patch has been produced. A remake is included in the Sword of Moonlight: King's Field Making Tool programming kit released in 2000 for Windows PCs; also exclusive to Japan.

Synopsis

There was a small country called Verdite surrounded by a deep forest, encircled by fog and whirling winds. In ancient days, when a great battle was fought and many were dying, Verdite was saved by a person who then disappeared into the forest. Only the forest's drifting fog knew who this person was... The citizens called their savior the Dragon of the Forest and built a sanctuary and honored this person there. Eventually, only a legend remained and the Sanctuary was changed into the Royal Graveyard and all was silent. But, the legend says, "Someday the Dragon of the Forest shall return, bearing Magical Artifacts." However, the time has not yet come and the Sanctuary sleeps deeply...

Soul

The soul in many religions, philosophical and mythological traditions, is the incorporeal and immortal essence of a living being. According to Abrahamic religions, only human beings have immortal souls. For example, the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas attributed "soul" (anima) to all organisms but argued that only human souls are immortal. Other religions (most notably Jainism and Hinduism) teach that all biological organisms have souls, while some teach that even non-biological entities (such as rivers and mountains) possess souls. This latter belief is called animism.

Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle understood that the psyche (ψυχή) must have a logical faculty, the exercise of which was the most divine of human actions. At his defense trial, Socrates even summarized his teaching as nothing other than an exhortation for his fellow Athenians to excel in matters of the psyche since all bodily goods are dependent on such excellence (The Apology 30a–b).

Anima mundi is the concept of a "world soul" connecting all living organisms on the planet.