‘Elden Ring’ Game Review: The Latest From Hidetaka Miyazaki

Elden Ring is a game that has the potential to be what The Witcher III: Wild Hunt was for many fans of role-playing video games.

It’s more than just a side story to the main game in the Souls series. Elements from the main storyline and gameplay from previous games have been reworked to create a more cohesive and enjoyable experience. However, this isn’t a standalone game that can be ignored. Elden Ring builds on everything that came before and makes the Souls series much more accessible to newcomers. Let’s take a look at what makes this game unique. If you’re interested in learning more before diving in, check out our review of Elden Ring.

What is the Story of Elden Ring?

The story of Elden Ring is an origin story for the Souls series. The game opens with an explanation of the world and introduces the key characters. The story is set in Eothas, a place where all of the world’s souls are contained within an artificial crystal called the Elden Ring. The world is constantly threatened by a series of encroaching wars between the nations of the Ring and the armies of the Soul Edge. Players take on the role of a new Soul known as a Vessel. As the Vessel, you must learn the basics of the world and uncover a way to replace the Elden Ring’s soul. This involves exploring the new world, making friends, solving quests, and ultimately facing off against the Soul Edge in a climactic battle.

Who is the Player?

The main character of the Souls series has always been a warrior who wields a giant, two-handed weapon. In the Souls games, a player character is almost always a man who fights the enemies of the world. There have been exceptions, but those have been few and far between. In Elden Ring, the player character is a woman who fights with a submachine gun and uses magic. While the main character of Elden Ring can be male or female, most players will likely choose the female option. Even if you’re not interested in playing as a woman, you’ll still appreciate the new twist on the tried-and-true formula.

What Are the Different Play Styles?

There are two main ways to play Elden Ring. As a veteran of the Souls series, you can choose the traditional “Gauntlet” style or the New Game Plus option. The classic Gauntlet is intended for players who are comfortable with how the series has always been played. You started the game with all the weapons and armour you had when you died, and you can collect many of the same souls from enemies that you did before. The New Game Plus option is a different experience. With NG+, you start with all the souls you collected and start with a complete set of armour and weapons. The NG+ mode has the benefit of being much easier than the original game. If you’re new to the series, you’ll be better equipped to succeed with more powerful items, but the regular game will still challenge you.

The Game Controls

Elden Ring has a unique control system that’s not easily compared to other games. You won’t be using your old weapons and armour. Instead, you’ll equip different pieces of equipment that alter the way you fight. Weapons have different attack types and ranges, and each has other stats such as damage, speed, and reload-time. With each weapon, you can equip various attachments, such as scopes or barrels, that change the weapon’s performance. You can also equip different types of ammunition, such as shells or darts. Armour affects how you move and the amount of damage you take from enemy attacks. You can equip different types of armour, such as leather or metal, that offer additional protection levels or boost specific stats such as health or magic. Finally, you can equip accessories to give you various boosts. There are many different items to collect and dozens of ways to customize your character.

The Game Mechanics

In the Souls games, you’ve always been penalized for dying. If you die, you lose all your souls and have to start the level all over again. Elden Ring changes this by introducing the ability to carry your soul to the next attempt. You’ll earn a soul “level with each soul you collect.” You can keep building up your soul level and then use it to carry your souls over to your next attempt. This provides a more forgiving way to experience the game while still making it challenging. Another significant change to the mechanics of Elden Ring is that you don’t lose all your souls on death anymore. You’ll lose some of your soul levels if you die, but you’ll keep most of them. You can also use a soul orb to boost your souls temporarily. The soul orb will be consumed if you die, and your souls will be raised for your next attempt. This controller system is a great way to offer more leniency while still providing a challenge.

Final Words: Is Elden Ring Worth Playing?

Elden Ring is a great way to try out the Souls series if you’re a newcomer. It has everything that’s made the series so popular over the years, and it introduces some new mechanics that make it even better. It combines the challenge of the Souls series with the accessibility of a more casual game. Experienced players will love how the story of Elden Ring builds on the history of the Souls series. Newcomers to the series will be amazed by the sheer size of the world and how much there is to do. If you’re looking for a challenging game with many opportunities for customization and replayability, don’t miss out on Elden Ring.