In light of recent years, it’s hard to imagine a failed FromSoftware game, but one of its earliest attempts at a JRPG,Evergrace, was considered exactly that. While there is merit to the criticisms that were leveled againstEvergraceon release, it stands as a perfect candidate forFromSoftwareto revisit; the pieces of a successful game are all there.
It’s crucial to stress that in order forEvergraceto be successful, it would have to undergo a fairly significant remake rather than a simple remaster. However, despite the fact thatEvergrace’s issues run deeper than surface level problems, they remain relatively easy fixes, meaning thatFromSoftwarecould stay true toEvergraceand still develop a spectacular game from its blueprint, thereby redeeming one ofits few PS2 RPGs.
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FromSoftware Has Mastered Combat Since Evergrace Released
One of the biggest issues plaguingEvergracewas its lackluster combat system, and it’s hard to imagine that FromSoftware would struggle in any respect to fix it up. With the ability to borrow from any ofits Soulsborne titles, FromSoftware could blend a classic JRPG with Soulslike engagements to create a truly unique experience. SinceEvergracealready totes a fairly extensive equipment interface, it naturally lends itself to FromSoftware’s modern systems.
WhileEvergraceshares a lot of similarities withmany Soulslike titles, its equipment-focused progression behaves differently. There isn’t a requirement for builds per se inEvergrace, but equipment remains important throughout the entirety of the title, even playing a crucial part in traversing through the levels. Again, a remake could keep this core concept and lean into it, while the capabilities of modern systems could facilitate an even greater degree of creativity than was possible during the PS2 era.
Evergrace Boasts One Very Important Quality
Evergrace’s greatest strength is that it’s unique. In an oversaturated genre, it’s important to be familiar but not derivative, and unique but not absurd. For all of its shortcomings,Evergracecan at least be proud of the fact that it treads these lines well. If the success ofElden Ring’s loreproved anything, it showed that FromSoftware is not only one of the best developers for gameplay mechanics but also for world building. FromSoftware’s signature blend of dark and quirky already runs throughEvergrace; it just needs to be teased out a bit more.
With a clunky — and oftentimes downright laggy — combat system hampering players' progress throughEvergrace, the title never got to properly showcase its story. Not only would implementing a modern combat system make the entire experience more enjoyable, but it would also allow FromSoftware to explore the unique world ofEvergraceproperly without fans growing weary of the title halfway through. Even thoughEvergracewas never considered as having thedeepest lore for a JRPG, the underpinnings of the story are solid enough for FromSoftware to work with.
The Timing Is Right For FromSoftware To Change It Up
Coming offthe massive success of a title likeElden Ring, FromSoftware has basically limitless possibilities of where to go next. While the most logical move would probably be to focus on anElden Ringsequel or another entry into its Soulsborne roster, a shocking departure into a JRPG likeEvergracemight be just what the doctor ordered.
Even though developing a title like Evergrace would likely come as a huge surprise to fans, it would be a relatively safe endeavor for FromSoftware due to the striking similarities betweenEvergraceand later Souls titles; it’s not as different from FromSoftware’s usual work as it seems at first blush. FromSoftware could use a game like Evergrace to gauge whether it could successfully maneuver into other genres today.
Evergraceis available on PlayStation 2.
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