Tekken Creator Says Dark Souls Isn't That Difficult—Its Greatest Strength Is the World, Not the Challenge

Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime Tekken producer and former Bandai Namco executive, has sparked discussion by claiming that Dark Souls is "not an especially difficult game." In a lengthy social media post reflecting on Hidetaka Miyazaki's career, Harada argued that the series' greatest achievement is not its notorious difficulty but the rich world-building and creativity behind its universe.

According to Harada, Dark Souls features "fairly simple action mechanics," and he personally does not consider it exceptionally challenging. Instead, he believes the real brilliance of Miyazaki's work lies in its interconnected world, environmental storytelling, and mysterious lore. Harada praised the FromSoftware director as a "unique" creator with an almost "mad scientist" approach to game development, emphasizing that Miyazaki's imagination is what truly sets the Souls series apart.

Harada also reflected on Miyazaki's unusual career path, noting that he entered the games industry relatively late, only becoming a developer in his late twenties. Despite that unconventional start, Miyazaki went on to create one of the most influential franchises in modern gaming. Harada recalled working with him during his years at Bandai Namco and said he was always impressed by Miyazaki's obsessive attention to detail and relentless focus on refining his ideas.

The comments have divided fans online. Some players agree that Dark Souls becomes far less intimidating once its mechanics are understood, while others argue that its demanding boss fights and unforgiving design remain among the toughest challenges in gaming. Regardless of where players stand in that debate, Harada believes the series' enduring legacy comes from its unforgettable world, subtle storytelling, and the creative vision behind it—not simply its reputation for difficulty.