Hidetaka Miyazaki emphasizes that the challenge in games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls is about fairness, not just increased difficulty.

Since the launch of Demon’s Souls in 2009, FromSoftware has built a reputation for crafting some of the most challenging games in the industry. Dark Souls even had a “Prepare to Die” edition, highlighting just how familiar players would become with death throughout their journey. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director behind many of these titles, including Elden Ring, insists that the difficulty spikes are designed to be fair.

In a recent discussion, he elaborated on the philosophy of consistently pushing players to their limits. “We receive a lot of praise for the difficulty of our games, but it’s not just about increasing the challenge; it’s about doing it in a way that feels justified,” he explained. “When players die and can understand the reason behind their defeat, it creates a sense of fairness. That’s the experience we aim to deliver.”

Miyazaki acknowledges that players will sometimes feel surprised or frustrated, but he sees this as part of the rhythm of FromSoftware’s games. You might enter a battle, get taken down, but then learn from that encounter, whether it was due to an immediate attack or an environmental hazard. The cycle continues until you finally succeed.

“I know many players might disagree: ‘What are you talking about? This game doesn’t make sense!'” he said. “But we strive to ensure there’s a learning curve and a feedback loop that players can utilize in their next attempt. We believe in challenging games, but not ones that are unfairly difficult.”

Despite the countless times I’ve fallen to Ornstein and Smough, I resonate with this perspective on FromSoftware’s creations. Their games often feel more stringent than those of other developers, with bosses that can seem unyielding. Yet, it all comes down to trusting in your ability to conquer these challenges—you have the tools and skills; it’s about finding the right combination to succeed.

That said, facing off against Malenia in Elden Ring can feel like a daunting task. But remember, Miyazaki and the team aren’t out to ruin your experience; it’s simply part of the journey.