History VideoGame / KingsField

*** The Japan-only sequel for the PS2, ''Shadow Tower: Abyss'', which abandons the fantasy setting of the original for a more modern one.

* ''King's Field'' (PlayStation, 1994) -- [[NoExportForYou Released only in Japan]], launch title

* ''King's Field IV'' ({{PlayStation 2}}, 2001) -- Released in America as ''King's Field: the Ancient City''
* ''King's Field Additional'' ({{PlayStation Portable}}, 2006)

* ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'' ({{PlayStation 3}}, 2009)
** ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' ([=PlayStation 3=], {{Xbox 360}}, 2011; PC, 2012)

*** ''Videogame/DarkSoulsIII''( {{Playstation 4}}, XboxOne, PC)
** {{Videogame/Bloodborne}} ({{Playstation 4}}, 2015)

Unfortunately, much of the franchise is a case of NoExportForYou. This includes the very first game in the series, which was released before the PlayStation console was even available outside of Japan. By the time the [=PlayStation=] came to America, ''King's Field II'' was already out, so that was the first game America got. For those who want to play the ''real'' first game, there are fan translation patches, both for the original [=PlayStation=] version and the ''Sword of Moonlight'' PC port.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: [=NPCs=] in the original Playstation trilogy seem to be immortal. Operative word: seems. They actually just have very, very high health. Striking them enough times causes them to die. In the second game, killing an NPC who normally obstructs a path can allow SequenceBreaking.

*** ''Demon's Souls'' has its own spiritual successor by the name of ''Dark Souls'', which ''continues'' with the shout-outs, including ''Seath the Scaleless''. Probably not the same entity, but knowing From...

In ''King's Field'' you play as Jean Alfred Forrester, a prince of Verdite and son of the Commander of the Royal Guard. After his father disappeared while trying to stop an ancient evil coming from the Royal Cemetery, Alfred himself goes into the ages-old graveyard to find out what happened to his father, retrieve the family sword, and stop the ancient evil himself. Along the way, he learns that his father's ancestral sword, the Dragon Sword, is actually the sealed form of the legendary Moonlight Sword, subsequently unsealing it's power.

'''''King's Field''''' is a series of {{first|PersonShooter}}-person {{R|olePlayingGame}}PGs by Creator/FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). A DungeonCrawler, the gameplay and story conventions have much in common with first-person role-playing games such as the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, ''Star Cruiser'', the ''Franchise/ShiningSeries'', and ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', though the gameplay mechanics are streamlined and have distinct Japanese touches.

''King's Field III'' takes place twenty years later and stars Alfred's son, Austin Lyle Forrester. Sadly, Alfred has been possessed and has become a force of evil, and Alexander died [[SealedEvilInACan sealing Alfred in his castle]]. Lyle finds out the truth of the situation, defeats his father and the being who possessed him.

* MagicKnight: All four protagonists. John Alfred and his son Austin Lyle learn magic naturally, due to their bloodline. Alexander (protagonist of ''KF2'') and Devian (protagonist of ''The Ancient City'') need to acquire magic crystals in order to learn magic.

** ''Videogame/Bloodborne'' ([=Playstation 4=], 2015)

** ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' ([=PlayStation 3=], Xbox 360, PC, 2014)

* NamesTheSame: In ''King's Field III'', Lyle's LoveInterest Lyn has the last name of Reinhardt, same as his late grandmother's maiden name. However, due to Lyn being an elf, they aren't blood related.

'''''King's Field''''' is a series of {{first|PersonShooter}}-person {{R|olePlayingGame}}PGs by Creator/FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). A DungeonCrawler, the gameplay and story conventions have much in common with first-person role-playing games such as the ''MegamiTensei'', ''Star Cruiser'', ''{{Shining}}'', and ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', though the gameplay mechanics are streamlined and have distinct Japanese touches.

* ''King's Field'' (PlayStation, 1994) -- [[NoExportForYou Released only in Japan]]

The three [=PlayStation=] games form what is sometimes known as the "Verdite Trilogy," as they all involve events in or that involve the Kingdom of Verdite, the dragons Seath and Guyra (who are basically gods), and usually require the hero to attain the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Moonlight Sword]]. The games are ultimately plot-lite, but actually have a bit of mythology behind them if you talk to a lot of people and read the manuals.

In ''King's Field'' you play as Alfred, a prince who ventures into the Royal Cemetery to hunt down the source of an unknown evil and, on his journeys, receives the Moonlight Sword.

''King's Field II'' takes place a number of years later. Alfred is now King of Verdite. The Moonlight Sword has been stolen and evidence indicates the thief is on the island of Melanat, which is supposedly cursed. The King's friend Alexander volunteers to go to Melanat and retrieve the sword, winds up discovering a slave-mining operation and [[spoiler:a plot to revive the black dragon, Guyra.]]

''King's Field III'' takes place twenty years later and stars Alfred's son, Lyle. Sadly, Alfred has been possessed and has become a force of evil, and Alexander died [[SealedEvilInACan sealing Alfred in his castle]]. Lyle finds out the truth of the situation, defeats his father and the being who possessed him.

''King's Field IV'' is an all new story that basically has nothing to do with the Verdite Trilogy. In it, your main character is given the [[ArtifactOfDeath Idol of Sorrow]] and tasked with returning it to it's pedestal in the Ancient City, which will supposedly break the curse. In the course of your journey you learn that the civilization of the Ancient City had begun worshiping "the darkness" and may have brought about their own destruction. The Moonlight Sword once again appears, but its a completely different sword from the one in the Verdite trilogy.

* MultipleEndings: In ''King's Field III'' its possible to confront King Alfred without reforging the Moonlight Sword. [[spoiler:you get a BadEnding implying that Lyle becomes possessed, and you also don't get to face the true final boss.]]
* NostalgiaLevel: The Royal Cemetary in ''King's Field III'' is this for Japanese gamers (it was the setting of the original ''King's Field'').

'''''King's Field''''' is a series of {{first|PersonShooter}}-person {{R|olePlayingGame}}PGs by Creator/FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). A DungeonCrawler, the gameplay and story conventions have much in common with first-person role-playing games such as the ''MegamiTensei'', ''StarCruiser'', ''{{Shining}}'', and ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', though the gameplay mechanics are streamlined and have distinct Japanese touches.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' ([=PlayStation 3=], {{Xbox 360}}, 2011; PC, 2012)

There is also a program called ''[[http://www.fromsoftware.jp/main/soft/som.html Sword of Moonlight]]'' that allows one to make their own ''King's Field'' style games. This program came with a PC port of the first ''King's Field''. There is an [[http://www.swordofmoonlight.com online community]] dedicated to this program, which has made ''Sword of Moonlight'' available in English and has even produced games using it. You do not need the ''Sword of Moonlight'' program to play games made with it.

Not much is known stateside about the PSP games or the Mobile Phone games, save that the PSP series switch from free-roaming 3D to tile-based movement in the style of really old-school [=RPGs=] like ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' and ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic''.

** The first two games mostly work on the premise "Seath good, Guyra bad." However, in ''King's Field III'' it turns out that [[spoiler:both were ultimately mistakes, created by a higher power who thought introducing religion would give people meaning in their lives. It backfired, horribly, as the two gods took their roles a little too seriously and started actually trying to dominate the world.]] Incidentaly, [[spoiler:the final boss of the game is Seath, who is represented as a shining white figure who uses light-based attacks.]]

** In ''King's Field III,'' Dragon Stones now double over as extra lives (formerly they were just this game's version of [[Francise/FinalFantasy Elixers]]). As long as you have one, there is no real downside to dying. In fact there's a secret area you ''have to die'' to reach!

* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: By the end of the Verdite trilogy, [[spoiler:you've killed ''both'' the major gods]].

** In Europe, ''KF: The Ancient City'' is still called ''King's Field IV,'' [[OrSoIHeard or so we're told]].

* PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: Alexander from ''King's Field II'' shows up as a ghost in ''King's Field III''. In the same game you also meet King Alfred, whom you played in the very first game.

** In Europe, ''KF: The Ancient City'' is still called ''King's Field IV,'' [[OrSoIHeard or we're told]].

* PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: Alexander from ''King's Field II'' shows up as a ghost in ''King's Field III''.

* UnwinnableByMistake/[[UnwinnableByInsanity Insanity]]: In the first King's Field (the Japanese one), you can easily throw out keys and important items from your inventory without an opportunity to get them back. On the other side, there are no item/weight limit or moments where you need to drop any items, so the only way to screw yourself up is to deliberately trying to get rid of your inventory.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: [=NPCs=] in the original Playstation trilogy seem to be immortal. Operative word: seems. They actually just have very, very high health. Striking them enough times causes them to die. In the third game, killing an NPC who normally obstructs a path can allow SequenceBreaking.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: NPCs in the original Playstation trilogy seem to be immortal. Operative word: seems. They actually just have very, very high health. Striking them enough times causes them to die. In the third game, killing an NPC who normally obstructs a path can allow SequenceBreaking.
* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: Apparently the aforementioned ability to kill NPCs was not a bug, or at least it was no longer a bug as of the third game in the original trilogy; killing an NPC will cause a later NPC to deny services to you.

* NothingIsScarier: ''Shadow Tower'' lacks any sort of music beyond the opening cinematic and demo, leaving players to nothing but the sounds of the various monsters they come across.

'''''King's Field''''' is a series of {{first|PersonShooter}}-person {{R|olePlayingGame}}PGs by Creator/FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). A DungeonCrawler, the gameplay and story conventions have much in common with role-playing games such as the ''MegamiTensei'' and ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', though the gameplay mechanics are simpler and have distinct Japanese touches.

'''''King's Field''''' is a series of {{first|PersonShooter}}-person {{R|olePlayingGame}}PGs by Creator/FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). Despite being Japanese, the gameplay and story conventions have far more in common with Western role-playing games such as the ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'' series, though the gameplay mechanics are far simpler and they still have distinct Japanese touches.

A series of first-person [[RolePlayingGame RPGs]] by FromSoftware (better known for the mecha-combat series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''). Despite being Japanese, the gameplay and story conventions have far more in common with Western role-playing games such as the ''UltimaUnderworld'' series, though the gameplay mechanics are far simpler and they still have distinct Japanese touches.

The games in the series are:

* ''King's Field'' (Playstation, 1994)
* ''King's Field II'' (Playstation, 1995) - [[MarketBasedTitle Released in America as]] ''King's Field''
* ''King's Field III'' (Playstation, 1996) - Released in America as ''King's Field II''
* ''King's Field IV'' (Playstation 2, 2001) - Released in America as ''King's Field: the Ancient City''
* ''King's Field Additional'' (PSP, 2006)
* ''King's Field Additional II'' (PSP, 2006)

There is also a program called ''[[http://www.fromsoftware.jp/main/soft/som.html Sword of Moonlight]]'' that allows one to make their own ''King's Field'' style games. This program came with a PC port of the first ''King's Field.'' There is an [[http://www.swordofmoonlight.com online community]] dedicated to this program, which has made ''Sword of Moonlight'' available in English and has even produced games using it. You do not need the ''Sword of Moonlight'' program to play games made with it.

Unfortunately, much of the franchise is a case of NoExportForYou. This includes the very first game in the series, which was released before the Playstation console was even available outside of Japan. By the time the Playstation came to America, ''King's Field II'' was already out, so that was the first game America got. For those who want to play the ''real'' first game, there are fan translation patches, both for the original Playstation version and the ''Sword of Moonlight'' PC port.

The three Playstation games form what is sometimes known as the "Verdite Trilogy," as they all involve events in or that involve the Kingdom of Verdite, the dragons Seath and Guyra (who are basically gods), and usually require the hero to attain the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Moonlight Sword]]. The games are ultimately plot-lite, but actually have a bit of mythology behind them if you talk to a lot of people and read the manuals.

In ''King's Field'' you play as Alfred, a prince who ventures into the Royal Cemetary to hunt down the source of an unknown evil and, on his journeys, receives the Moonlight Sword.

''King's Field III'' takes place twenty years later and stars Alfred's son, Lyle. Sadly, Alfred has been possessed and has become a force of evil, and Alexander died [[SealedEvilInACan sealing Alfred in his castle.]] Lyle finds out the truth of the situation, defeats his father and the being who possessed him.

''King's Field IV'' is an all new story that basically has nothing to do with the Verdite Trilogy. In it, your main character is given the [[ArtifactOfDeath Idol of Sorrow]] and tasked with returning it to it's pedestal in the Ancient City, which will supposedly break the curse. In the course of your journey you learn that the civilization of the Ancient City had begun worshipping "the darkness" and may have brought about their own destruction. The Moonlight Sword once again appears, but its a completely different sword from the one in the Verdite trilogy.

Not much is known stateside about the PSP games or the Mobile Phone games, save that the PSP series switch from free-roaming 3D to tile-based movement in the style of really old-school [=RPGs=] like ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' and ''{{Might and Magic}}''.

'''This series provides examples of:'''

* AmericansHateTingle: The three games released stateside got very scathing reviews from almost every source. Even so, they have a cult following.

* ColbertBump: The success of VideoGame/DemonsSouls and VideoGame/DarkSouls has creating a bump in popularity for the games from players curious to see the spiritual precursor to the games.

** In ''King's Field III,'' Dragon Stones now double over as extra lives (formerly they were just this game's version of [[FinalFantasy Elixers]]). As long as you have one, there is no real downside to dying. In fact there's a secret area you ''have to die'' to reach!
*** Actually, all three games use Dragon Stones to fuel resurrection; the third game is just the only one of the trilogy where no additional action (activation of a recovery fountain) is required as a prerequisite. Die without a Dragon Stone in any of the three games? Start from the beginning again (or, more likely, reload a save). Die with a Dragon Stone but without having activated the necessary fountain in I or II? Same.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: By the end of the Verdite trilogy, [[spoiler:you've killed ''both'' the major gods]]
* InfinityPlusOneSword: the Moonlight Sword is the ultimate weapon in most of the games, except in ''King's Field II'' where its the Dark Slayer.

** Similarily, while you need the Moonlight Sword to ''get to'' the final boss in ''King's Field III,'' once you're there you can use whatever you please.
*** In addition, the manual and game text of ''King's Field III'' make it sound like you have to have the Excellector equipped to level it. This is not the case--simply ''having'' it is enough.

** In Europe, ''KF: The Ancient City'' is still called ''King's Field IV,'' OrSoIHeard.

* NoExportForYou: The first game, and all the portable entries.
* NostalgiaLevel: The Royal Cemetary in ''King's Field III'' is this for Japanese gamers (it was the setting of the original ''King's Field'')

* PressStartToGameOver: Start King's Field: The Ancient City. Walk forward. Enjoy starting over.

** ''Shadow Tower'' for Playstation. From Software even incorporated aspects of its equipment system into ''King's Field IV.''

** ''Eternal Ring'' for the Playstation 2, which is superficially similar insofar as being a first-person RPG but in a lot of ways plays more like a stock JRPG.
** ''Demon's Souls'' for Playstation 3. The gameplay has changed quite a bit, but it has very similar atmosphere and quite a few {{Shout Out}}s to King's Field.
*** ''Demon's Souls'' has its own SpiritualSuccessor by the name of ''Dark Souls'' - which ''continues'' with the shout-outs, including ''Seath the Scaleless''. Probably not the same entity, but knowing From...

* ''King's Field Additional'' (PSP, 200?)
* ''King's Field Additional II'' (PSP, 200?)
* ''[[http://www.fromcapsule.jp/kf.html King's Field Mobile]]'' (Mobile phones, ????)
* ''[[http://www.fromcapsule.jp/kfm2.html King's Field Mobile 2]]'' (Mobile phones, ????)
* ''[[http://www.fromcapsule.jp/kfex.html King's Field EX]]'' (Mobile phones, ???)