(Image courtesy of SteamDB. “Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s magnum opus.”)

Andrew Warofsky
Connector Contributor

Fire, Magic, and Steel. “Elden Ring” is the latest release in FromSoftware’s line of hard-but-fair fantasy games. Having been released on Feb. 25, 2022, it is the first truly open-world FromSoftware game. “Elden Ring,” much like the “Dark Souls” games, is focused on the player taking on bosses to eventually claim the title of Lord, and how a lowly warrior may end up changing the world they find themself in. “Elden Ring” is critically acclaimed by many and received Game of The Year when it released; even its follow-up DLC, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” was nominated last summer.

From the start of the game, players are immediately asked how they would like to play the game with character classes such as the “Vagabond” with high strength and dexterity they will focus on improving their weapons and the prior mentioned stats to do substantial amounts of damage with a single hit of their sword. However, as is typical in FromSoftware games, players are not limited by their starter choices. With the ability to buy and find plenty of upgrade materials, or focus on leveling other statistics, players are able to experiment and approach the game in many different ways.

However, character builds are only half the battle, as the bosses in this game are out for blood. Starscourge Radahn and Malenia, Blade of Miquella are bound to test players’ mettle both physically and mentally. With many bosses being declared as some of the hardest bosses that FromSoftware has ever released it is easy to get frustrated at the game. Luckily, with a multiplayer system, players who are struggling are able to bring in others to help them explore areas, and defeat bosses, however this system is limited by a consumable item that goes away upon death. Players that are unwilling to summon, however, must take it within them to learn the patterns of attacks and specific rhythms of each boss like a twisted version of “Dance Dance Revolution.” However, for those who do manage to finish off the boss ahead of them they can look forward to copious amounts of runes (the game’s currency, and experience points) to level up, use the boss’s weapon if they are a remembrance boss (such as Malenia), and a deep feeling of satisfaction once they finally earn the “Demigod Felled” display.

However, what truly sets “Elden Ring” apart from the other “Souls” games is the open world. With copious amounts of content and the theme of exploration being prominent, “Elden Ring” more than any other “Souls” game expects players to travel around the map on their trusty steed, Torrent, to find better weapons and upgrade materials as well as new areas such as mini dungeons and fun bosses to fight. The way “Elden Ring” pushes the player to explore is through its very first boss, the Tree Sentinel. Responsible for causing many players to leave the game after rushing at him with low stats and low-level weapons, it is encouraged to run away from him and return with stronger equipment. Truthfully, “Elden Ring” seems to be the best in its genre at this as players have access to immediate “Grace-warping,” which is the ability to travel to any discovered point of interest outside of combat. However, the best part of this open world is the

ability to create areas that are beautiful. Such as the area of Nokron, a city underneath the land with a sky full of stars that may overwhelm the player.

Another feature “Elden Ring” contains is the potential to gain one of seven endings coded into the game, from letting the world stay as it is, to lighting the world ablaze with the Frenzied Flame. The ability to explore anywhere and work with so many NPCs and their questlines make the world feel alive and allows the player to roleplay how they believe the world should be through the actions of their tarnished warrior.

Overall, “Elden Ring” stands to be one of the most accessible FromSoftware with its open world and all the potential ways to play the game whether the player prefers magic, fire, or pure steel. It is a challenging game of course, which is not to be unexpected from FromSoftware but players that are willing to step to the plate and persevere will not be disappointed once they finally see the victory screen of “GOD SLAIN.”

Grade: A