Did Miyazaki have anything to do with Dark Souls 2?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

No, Hidetaka Miyazaki – creator of the Souls series and director of Demon‘s Souls and Dark Souls – did not directly work on the development of Dark Souls 2. While he had an advisory role as "Supervisor", Miyazaki was not part of the game‘s core development team.

Why Miyazaki Took a Backseat

Instead of leading development on the sequel, Miyazaki entrusted the directors‘ chairs to Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura. This was primarily because he was busy directing another major project – the gothic action-RPG Bloodborne.

As Miyazaki shared in interviews, with his attention divided he could not fully commit to directing Dark Souls 2. However, he saw this as an opportunity to give new talent a chance to take the series forward based on their own creative vision rather than just executing on his.

Some viewed this passing of the torch as a risk, while others saw it as a chance for fresh ideas. In the end Miyazaki believed that putting trust in new directors could pay off with innovative experiences fans might not expect but come to embrace.

Miyazaki‘s Limited Role as Supervisor

As Supervisor, Miyazaki was not involved in the daily development process – things like programming mechanics, designing levels, and writing dialogue. Instead, he played a broad advisory role:

  • Reviewing early gameplay and story concepts
  • Providing feedback to ensure sequels retained "Souls DNA"
  • Playing milestone builds to assess overall direction
  • Less hands-on compared to directing, more high-level guidance

This gave the new directors autonomy while enabling Miyazaki to still indirectly influence choices to safeguard the series‘ identity. However, compared to the intensive role of Director it still meant Miyazaki took a big step back – certainly a stark change versus his deep involvement in Demon‘s Souls and Dark Souls 1.

Did Miyazaki‘s Absence Impact Dark Souls 2?

For fans debating whether Miyazaki‘s absence affected Dark Souls 2, there are arguments on both sides. Critics of DS2 often call out lore inconsistencies, game design choices, and an overall shift away from what made past titles special. Supporters say evolutions were necessary and the essence of the franchise remained intact.

As someone who lived through this debate back in 2014 and has analyzed every detail revealed since, I don‘t think Miyazaki‘s creative voice would have led to such divisive results. While DS2 succeeded commercially, winning over critics, fans had more mixed reactions.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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