Instead of a common review where the writer divulges headlong into the myriad of good and bad aspects behind the game in question, I thought it best to approach this one much differently. As a Souls fan who has played all FromSoftware titles, my immense enthusiasm for this game will undoubtedly sway my opinion. To that end, it's best to look at Elden Ring in a much more nuanced way.
I realize hy not gradually note my feelings following certain play sessions? As I write this, it is Feb. 16th, 2022, and I have a total of 6.9 hours in the game. To say that Elden Ring is one of the greatest titles I've ever experienced would be an understatement, but the primary reason for that isn't so much my long history and adoration for the studio or its pantheon of exceptional IP.
With Elden Ring, FromSoftware took a total gamble on its open-world setting. Despite its mass appeal, the free-roaming sandbox experience can often lead to mundanity, as witnessed in Watch Dogs, Driv3r, Metal Gear Survive, etc. Not to say those games are bad in any way, the point is that having an open world isn't always an avenue towards instant success, but Elden Ring's universe is unsurprisingly rich in detail, content, variation, and character all its own.
Sure, I can sit here and complain about the camera, the difficulty, some annoying boss attacks, and minor bugs. Yet the cons pale in comparison to all the things FromSotware did right. From delectable treats of fan service to exciting new forms of gameplay and traversal, Elden Ring is all the things Dark Souls wished it could be and more.
Palatial Luminescence - 19.2 Hours into Elden Ring
Together alongside renowned author George R.R. Martin, FromSoft built a thriving universe of narrative intrigue. The multilayered effect of its massive open-world brimming with a multitude of characters is astounding yet proves like its predecessors a conundrum ripe for the witty lore hunters out there. While only about twenty hours into Elden Ring thus far, I envision the mainline story itself as analogous to the picturesque Erd Tree that pockmarks the Lands Between ever-branching and always in motion.
As a Tarnished now (thankfully) bearing a Maiden, you are allowed entrance into the Round Table Hold, where nary a dull character resides. From the royal vampiric-looking [REDACTED] to the enigmatic D, the various faces that occupy this space are as multi-dimensional as the world outside is itself. Make sure to come back here regularly and find comfort in its serene abode.
Beyond its walls, however, lives a map teeming with variety and exploration. Elden Ring certainly rewards the curious traveler. As a point of contention for me, personally, after realizing the Map Fragments' designation on the unfinished map, my experience was a bit diminished - only partially. I was hoping that these Map Fragments would be far more difficult to find, thus making traversal through the Lands Between all the more brutal and astonishing, but it's not a major issue, it just trivialized the concern of crossing into a new area previously unknown.
Beyond simply the large designated open areas, like Limgrave and Liurnia of the Lakes, Elden Ring is resplendent with hidden pathways to catacombs, caves, mines, and more. I don't want to spoil anything for players, but for those who remember The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's Blackreach, then get excited (if you weren't already).
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Each new area offers a ton of variety, not just in looks and detail but also in a literal ecosystem. You'll be hard-pressed to find similar enemies across different places, which adds to the level of depth and allure of this world. When you do spot an enemy similar in design, they often have varied attacks and stats, making encounters all the more deadly and pronounced.
Elden Ring is far more spritely, well-defined, and welcoming, a massive sidestep from all previous releases. From the outset I considered it a palatial luminescence; from spells to crafting materials, all have this glow to them that makes them seem so unique and tantalizing. The same can be said of various places, specifically Stormveill Castle, which slumbers in a decaying, vine-riddled heap, yet still sells its past glory with hints of gold lining etched across the outer edges of the structure. Reticent players will notice this key detail in almost every nook and cranny of Elden Ring, from characters to even items: perfection long lost.
I'm playing on a Ryzen 7 3800x, RTX 2060, and 32GB of ram, so the world isn't as picturesque as it probably could be, but the game does run fine, save a few hitches here and there. Exploration thus far has been the highlight for me.
Dark Souls 2 II - 32.4 Hours into Elden Ring
In a June 17th interview with IGN, FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki answers the following when asked if there would be any Mimics (monstrous creatures that appear like chests) present within Elden Ring: "...It's a different world to Dark Souls, but we hope to give you surprises in some way, let's put it that way." Surprises, to be sure, are aplenty within the Lands Between, so much so that I envision Elden Ring as the Dark Souls 2 sequel that never was.
Although strange to say, given the myriad predictions made of it being Dark Souls 4 following various gameplay reveals, the mechanics and combat style of Elden Ring all feel reticently familiar to the Souls series' much-maligned mainline sequel. Even places on the map and bosses all bear so much resemblance to Dark Souls 2 that it's hard to miss.
One place, in particular, is almost a carbon copy of the Shrine of Amana, which should certainly bring some joy to Souls fans (that's sarcasm). Power stancing also makes its inevitable return, which truly adds to the variations resplendent in combat. Although I have yet to invade or be invaded myself (or perform co-op), I am duly excited for the differentiation in an approach that Elden Ring's combat will afford in that arena.
But a lot of Dark Souls, as well as both Bloodborne and Sekiro, have seeped into this game. Jumping alone adds a ton of variety to exploration and combat, even so much as making bows a viable build option for those inclined. The flavors of Sekiro, from aesthetics to mechanics, are so prevalent, yet not so much that it takes you out of the experience. In fact, it only enhances it.
An example is one boss I can't help but leave a secret for now due to spoiler reasons, but it is truly a FromSoft moment, and I applaud them for their ingenuity. All I shall say is take a quick stroll down to Murkwater Catacombs and be delighted by what you find there. In all, Elden Ring is a love letter not just to old fans but new players alike. It's modern-day Skyrim for the masochist.
Git Gud - 56 Hours into Elden Ring
Despite my lengthy stay in the Lands Between, I fear I have yet to truly scratch the surface. I'm at the point now where I'm dying quite a bit due to my brute force way of thinking, which isn't exactly the way to go with this one. I fear newer players may still be turned off by Elden Ring, even with the obstacles and hurdles from previous games now null and void.
With so much left still to do and so many areas remaining uncovered, Elden Ring, and by extension FromSoftware, proves that the open world is a canvas ripe for ingenuity. The level design so lovingly crafted via FromSoft in all their games takes center stage in Elden Ring and may well be its most shining highlight. I still find myself discovering new places and areas on the map that make my eyes bulge in wonder.
It's the morning of release, and I sit here wondering how exactly to put into words the true enormity of Elden Ring, from gameplay to design language. It's a difficult task that I think playing the actual experience will be its only reasoning. Why wait? Become the Elden Lord and seek what is rightfully yours, unlocking the myriad secrets that pockmark the lands on a quest of unlimited virtue, strife, and mesmerization.
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