Few video games in recent memory have been as celebrated asElden Ring, a release that many consider FromSoftware’s magnum opus.The world ofElden Ring, created in collaboration withGame of Thronesauthor George R.R. Martin, has proven endlessly intriguing, enduring in the hearts and minds of players in the years following the game’s launch, and last year’sShadow of the ErdtreeDLC only strengthened this narrative heft.
But even those who neglect its opaque lore have found plenty to enjoy inElden Ring’s gameplay. Open-world exploration that places an emphasis on organic, player-driven discovery is the backbone ofElden Ring’s gameplay loop, but the tried-and-trueSoulscombat is also polished to a brilliant shine, making the experience a must-play for action-RPG enthusiasts. This is especially true for those who like to experiment with new builds and stat-tweaking, asElden Ring’s build variety is rich and meaty. That said, many of these robust in-game elements don’t fully reveal themselves until subsequent playthroughs, which is exactly whyElden Ringfans should consider diving back into The Lands Between in the coming months.
Elden Ring: Why It’s Worth Revisiting
Elden Ring Isn’t Meant To Be Played Just Once
When it comes to replay value,Elden Ringis an interesting example when compared to the rest of FromSoftware’s oeuvre. On the one hand, its vast and expansive open-world is never as exciting to explore a second or third time around, and revisiting far-flung locales can even feel tedious on repeat playthroughs. Indeed,the linearity of something likeDark Souls 3orBloodbornemay make for a more quaint initial experience, but a far more streamlined second, third, or tenth playthrough.
At the same time,Elden Ringhas the most extensive build varietyand richest combat of all FromSoftware’s games. The sprawling assortment of different weapons, spells, Ashes of War, and talismans allows for nearly infinite combinations, and players will no doubt still be discovering novel, nuanced builds for years to come. It’s quite literally impossible to fully realize every build in a single playthrough, as upgrade resources are limited, so a NG+ run is more or less essential for those looking to experiment. Upon such experimentation, the entireElden Ringexperience is thus transformed; it can feel like a whole new game.
One can’t overlook the variousdifferentElden Ringendings as well, each of which carry fundamentally distinct narrative connotations. For a more complete experience, players should replay the game multiple times to achieve these unique finales.
AsElden Ringfans are already aware, the IP is set to beexpanded later this year withElden Ring Nightreign, a cooperative roguelike releasing at the end of May. The spin-off will be set in Limveld, a region that gets procedurally generated for each new run, and players must choose from an assortment of predetermined character archetypes, each with established skills and stats. In short, it’s shaping up to be a very differentElden Ringexperience, but one that will likely benefit from some familiarity with the base game’s mechanics, not to mention FromSoftware’s often bizarre design tendencies.
Since launch, someElden Ringdetractors have emerged, arguing that it’s not as strong, wholesale, as FromSoftware’s previous works. While it’s fair tocriticizeElden Ringfor, say, its recycled mini-bosses, the game as a whole is an undeniable triumph, and time will likely illustrate just how significant an impact it has had on gaming as a whole. Now, three years away from its initial release, players the world over are still discovering new things to love about the game, and withNightreignon the way, it’s as good a time as any to saddle up Torrent and get back into The Lands Between.
Elden Ring
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ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
