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Beast mode
Let's indulge in some rumors, shall we? Over the weekend, blurry images of what is supposedly FromSoftware's next game popped up on 4chan. And were immediately reposted on NeoGaf. Said images have an admittedly Dark Souls vibe to them, depicting a lone character in a dark world full of creatures that, presumably, want to kill him/her/it.
The current speculation
First, let's look at all the current rumors. According to the NeoGAF post, FromSoftware's next game, currently titled Project Beast, is a collaborative project with SCE Japan, which would make it a PS4 exclusive. The 4chan user who submitted the images mentioned that the main character wields a shotgun and fights enemies, and that text appeared in-game stating "This is a nightmare" (a tagline similar to Dark Souls' "Prepare to die").
Mutant dogs are a good sign
Project Beast's scenery isn't its only feature that's indicative of FromSoftware's Souls franchise. Check out the eccentric nature of the hellish monsters on display in this image. They certainly look like something conceivably created by FromSoftware, as both the mutant dog and the ghoulish creatures behind it have the developer's signature grotesque design.
It apparently has fog gates
Out of all the available images for Project Beast, this is the only one with a direct allusion to the Souls games. The main character is standing in front of what can ONLY be a fog gate; perhaps this has become FromSoftware's trademark way of keeping you afraid of what lies beyond? Hmmm Wonder if we'll start seeing fog gates crop up in Armored Core games?
The main character has a shotgun
The leaked post on NeoGAF makes it quite clear that the item in the main character's left hand is a shotgun. Obviously, this wouldn't make much sense in the context of a Demon's Souls or Dark Souls follow-up, unless we're looking at Dark Souls: Advanced Warfare.
Is it really a collaborative project with SCE Japan?
So, this is the big rumor that has a lot of people excited (well, except for Xbox One owners, I guess): FromSoftware is working with Sony Japan to develop the game. As a result, it will be available only on the PS4. I suspect that if this is the case, we'll likely hear official word about Project Beast either at this year's E3 or Tokyo Game Show.
Could it be Demon's Souls 2?
Ehh Don't get your hopes up. It's true that Sony owns the rights to the Demon's Souls brand. It is also true that FromSoftware is the logical developer to make more games for said brand, and COULD have the option of doing so considering it's (allegedly) working alongside Sony Japan on Project Beast.
Project Beast might have some big names behind it
You'll no doubt recall that when Dark Souls 2 was revealed, it was announced that Hidetaka Miyazaki, who directed both Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, would only be supervising the project. This led to a lot of concern about the future of Dark Souls, but it also made us wonder what Miyazaki was working on instead. My guess: Project Beast.
