Elden Ring is a new fantasy game from Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki and acclaimed novelist George R. R. Martin.
The game is set in the Lands Between, a mystical realm ruled by powerful demigods who were corrupted by the shards of the titular Elden Ring. You’ll play as a Tarnished, an exile from the realm.
Gameplay
Elden Ring is a new action RPG from the creators of Dark Souls, Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, author of the best-selling Game of Thrones series.
It’s a hugely ambitious game, blending open-world exploration with incredibly difficult combat. The result is a challenging but deeply rewarding game, thanks to its clever balance between stats and player skill.
Like its predecessors, Elden Ring rewards players with currency and XP every time they kill enemies or use consumable items that contain Runes. You can spend those Runes leveling up your character’s starting stats and improving their weapons.
Character Creation
The story of Elden Ring is a grand tale that takes place in the Lands Between, ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal. She and her offspring, demigods all, claimed the shards of the Elden Ring known as the Great Runes, and the mad taint of their newfound strength triggered a war.
As with most FromSoftware games, the narrative is buried at the beginning of the game, letting players form their conclusions and assumptions as they explore. That’s a big part of what makes the game feel so alive. Players often find themselves immersed in a world that reinforces its character through repetition and reinforcement.
Redditor u/Dramatic_Ad_7938 created a version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and another player gave Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme Stephen Strange the Tarnished treatment.
Story
Elden Ring is a game that eschews conventional quest systems and map markers to explore the world, encounter new things, and examine diegetic cues about what to do next. It gives players a richer experience than they might have had in titles like Dark Souls or Bloodborne.
Combat in Elden Ring is an unmatched experience, with heft and precision that rewards patience and skill. It also has a level of difficulty that feels intentional. Even with this, it’s possible to make mistakes that negatively impact your progress, such as drinking a potion at the wrong time or trying to cast a heavy attack without knowing the enemy’s current health.
Environment
Elden Ring is a game that de-prioritizes the classical hero’s journey. Instead, it focuses on the world and its vast, wild landscapes.
The environment of the Lands Between is huge, and it invites players to explore, ask questions, and discover secrets. The game encourages you to explore the Lands Between to find lore, quest markers, and even hidden treasure. It also uses diegetic cues and feedback to guide players toward their next steps.
Also Read: THE GOBLIN CAVES IN DARK AND DARKER
Co-Op
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s latest dark fantasy action RPG is one of From Software’s most immersive, challenging, and deeply layered games. It’s also notable for enlisting A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin to help develop the world’s lore and narrative structure.
The game is built around the idea that you’re journeying across a broken world to restore the Elden Ring. That gives you a certain sense of direction and a golden path to follow, but you’re free to ignore it entirely.
This “seamless co-op” mod aims to improve connectivity, shared progress, and more.