Unveiled: The Lost 2D Dark Souls Pitch by Thomas Feichtmeir to Bandai Namco

A Recently Revealed Pitch Shows a Forgotten 2D Metroidvania-Style Dark Souls Attempt from Thomas Feichtmeir and Bandai Namco In the world of modern gaming, FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series stands as a defining touchstone, renowned for its punishing gameplay, elaborate world-building, and immense community influence.

Published globally by Bandai Namco, the franchise became synonymous with 3D action RPG excellence—but behind the scenes, the series almost took an unexpected detour into 2D territory.

German pixel artist Thomas Feichtmeir, acclaimed for his contributions to titles like Songs of Conquest, Blasphemous, and The Mummy Demastered, has revealed new details about a long-secret project: a hand-drawn, Metroidvania-inspired version of Dark Souls 3. Feichtmeir recently disclosed that, six years ago, a formal pitch for a 2D Dark Souls game was submitted to Bandai Namco.

This proposal envisioned a richly animated, hand-crafted pixel art take on the Dark Souls universe.

As the confidentiality agreement surrounding the project expired, Feichtmeir has now made previously unseen mockup screens and project details available to the public. According to Feichtmeir, "The pitch was not speculative; it was a concrete job offer.

The art direction was tailored for feasibility within typical budget constraints faced by Metroidvania projects at that time." Despite this thoughtful approach and the excitement such a departure could have brought to the franchise, the project ultimately did not receive approval from Bandai Namco, and the reasons remain undisclosed. While the Dark Souls series has yet to venture into 2D, its influence can be spotted across numerous indie games on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop—including the acclaimed, gothic Metroidvania Blasphemous, which features Feichtmeir's distinct pixel artistry.

FromSoftware, meanwhile, has continued to expand its Soulsborne legacy with landmark releases such as Elden Ring, while Bandai Namco remains a dominant force in multiplatform game publishing. This revelation adds an intriguing chapter to the evolving history of the Dark Souls franchise, underlining how creative possibilities in the industry sometimes remain unseen by the broader gaming public.

As more developers share stories of untold projects and concepts, fans continue to gain a deeper appreciation for the innovative energy shaping new generations of games, both on the Nintendo Switch and beyond.

Bandai Namco Dark Souls Namco Thomas Feichtmeir Bandai Thomas