I took this week off in preparation for my new full time job and it worked perfectly for Elden Ring's release. I have non stop been playing this since launch, for a total straight 6 days, 10 hours a day.
(Tidbit about the review, From Software is my favourite developer)
Let's get this out of the way. Yes, it's hard. It will always be hard. This doesn't hold your hand just like the other games in the series. I thought maybe the open world style would hold it back but they absolutely cranked it up with 90+ bosses and zones that don't care about your feelings.
Difficulty always comes up in their games and I feel like people need to understand that it's hard because too many people see death in video games as a step backwards. Like you did something wrong. Death in From Software games means learning. It is all about learning boss patterns, enemy placements and finding the best stratergy.
Dying is a lesson and From Software is the teacher. Don't get mad due to dying, learn WHY you died and suddenly it becomes clearer.
As mentioned before, Elden Ring is an open world game. It honestly does remind me of how Breath of the Wild made the Zelda franchise a linear dungeon crawler to a big spread out world with dungeons and flexbility on where to go.
Elden Ring is the exact same. Sure Dark Souls has shortcuts and lead to areas you've visited before but with this game, you are given free reign. You could beat what is meant to be the third boss before you even do the second.
You make your adventure and you can go honestly almost everywhere right from the start.
I love the open world design. I thought I'd hate it but with your horse Torrent beneath your feet and fast travel is abundent, you can access every area without issue.
It is so fun to explore, that every single area becomes a fun new field trip. What dungeon will I find by accident? What mage tower has a riddle to figure out?
The best part? There is no ! Above an NPC's head. There is no marker here, marker there.
The map YOU find in each area only shows you towers, ruins, dungeons and fast travel points.
Just like other From Software games, YOU make the map and YOU are pathway finder.
Gameplay wise, the game is exactly the same as their other titles (minus of course Sekiro) It has beloved fan favourites and new treats that make it feel unique and not just a carbon copy of their other titles. It builds on a strong foundation and adds fun new mechanics for you to find on your own and make your own playstyle.
I was a sorcerer with powerful spells and a fantastic magic based sword that allowed me a bit of both combat styles but you can be a tank, a samurai, an all rounder. Whatever fits YOUR playstyle, Elden Ring got you covered.
I could go for hours about the plot and hidden lore in this game. It's perfect. You can know barely anything to knowing why stars are so important in this world.
There is so much to unpack. I have no idea how George R R Martin helped considering we hear different things but boyo, whatever he helped build as a writer (he is credited) didn't falter. There is no bad plot with ANY NPC.
Elden Ring is honestly, one of the best games made of all time. It offers new comers a full open world to explore and offers fans of the developer a Dark Souls 4 equivalent.
All I can do now is sit here, a Tarnished wondering the world knowing very well, I have played a piece of history.
(Tidbit about the review, From Software is my favourite developer)
Let's get this out of the way. Yes, it's hard. It will always be hard. This doesn't hold your hand just like the other games in the series. I thought maybe the open world style would hold it back but they absolutely cranked it up with 90+ bosses and zones that don't care about your feelings.
Difficulty always comes up in their games and I feel like people need to understand that it's hard because too many people see death in video games as a step backwards. Like you did something wrong. Death in From Software games means learning. It is all about learning boss patterns, enemy placements and finding the best stratergy.
Dying is a lesson and From Software is the teacher. Don't get mad due to dying, learn WHY you died and suddenly it becomes clearer.
As mentioned before, Elden Ring is an open world game. It honestly does remind me of how Breath of the Wild made the Zelda franchise a linear dungeon crawler to a big spread out world with dungeons and flexbility on where to go.
Elden Ring is the exact same. Sure Dark Souls has shortcuts and lead to areas you've visited before but with this game, you are given free reign. You could beat what is meant to be the third boss before you even do the second.
You make your adventure and you can go honestly almost everywhere right from the start.
I love the open world design. I thought I'd hate it but with your horse Torrent beneath your feet and fast travel is abundent, you can access every area without issue.
It is so fun to explore, that every single area becomes a fun new field trip. What dungeon will I find by accident? What mage tower has a riddle to figure out?
The best part? There is no ! Above an NPC's head. There is no marker here, marker there.
The map YOU find in each area only shows you towers, ruins, dungeons and fast travel points.
Just like other From Software games, YOU make the map and YOU are pathway finder.
Gameplay wise, the game is exactly the same as their other titles (minus of course Sekiro) It has beloved fan favourites and new treats that make it feel unique and not just a carbon copy of their other titles. It builds on a strong foundation and adds fun new mechanics for you to find on your own and make your own playstyle.
I was a sorcerer with powerful spells and a fantastic magic based sword that allowed me a bit of both combat styles but you can be a tank, a samurai, an all rounder. Whatever fits YOUR playstyle, Elden Ring got you covered.
I could go for hours about the plot and hidden lore in this game. It's perfect. You can know barely anything to knowing why stars are so important in this world.
There is so much to unpack. I have no idea how George R R Martin helped considering we hear different things but boyo, whatever he helped build as a writer (he is credited) didn't falter. There is no bad plot with ANY NPC.
Elden Ring is honestly, one of the best games made of all time. It offers new comers a full open world to explore and offers fans of the developer a Dark Souls 4 equivalent.
All I can do now is sit here, a Tarnished wondering the world knowing very well, I have played a piece of history.