Incredible game that made me realize, you know what, FromSoft games? Actually godlike. Difficult games? Actually crazy fun.

I generally don't like open world games because the words they create feel so shallow, so empty. Ah, go here and get these ubisoft towers. Ah, look under this rock for five thogworts and a goblin thong. Thanks, I guess. They want to give you this idea of wonder, of having your eye opened to natural beauty and a deep world, but it just never works on me.

Elden Ring performed dark sorcery to make it work in my mind. The utter danger around every corner somehow made the world that much more beautiful, more meaningful. As I crept under the caves and catacombs and came across beautiful monuments; ruins of temples from ages past and statues of god-knows-who, I felt the true scope of history in this hostile world. The fact that I was risking my damnable life to get to these vistas, to these caves, to these cities, made the vision of them simply that much more sweet.

The game is immense and while I was exhausted and just wanted to move on by the time I got to the final boss, I have boundless respect for its insane scope. One day I'll return, a stronger Souls player and ready to see its incredible world again with more seasoned eyes.