The hype surrounding Elden Ring’s initial reveal at E3 2019 was palpable, with many gaming enthusiasts speculating about the game’s narrative and mechanics based on a brief trailer showcasing stunning visuals and cryptic clues. At the E3 2019 showcase, FromSoftware revisited their tried-and-true formula, blending the best of Dark Souls’ and Bloodborne’s dark fantasy worlds with a fresh twist, building upon the widespread acclaim of these iconic titles. It bore some resemblance to Dark Souls, but fell short of being an exact equivalent. What fresh horizons await us in this novel realm? It had been a long time coming, but the moment we finally felt ready to embark on this new adventure was truly exhilarating – a sensation I would eagerly relive. And again, and again, and yet again.
As we look ahead to the present moment, it’s unprecedented that we’re able to play Elden Ring without any prior experience with its main story, which unfolds in Shadow of the Erdtree. If you’re like many enthusiasts, you’ve indulged in the fresh lore and enthusiastically explored innovative combinations of weapons and talismans, reveling in the thrill of discovery. Elden Ring is a success. There’s no way around it. While The Lands Between’s absurd recognition warrants another visit, I’d rather FromSoftware returned to the creative wellspring that birthed it and cooked up something fresh once again.
While acknowledging potential paths for a hypothetical sequel to Elden Ring, I’ll concede that FromSoftware could explore captivating directions in an Elden Ring 2. The narrative staff has accomplished an exemplary task of introducing the world beyond the borders of Limgrave, whereupon, venturing forth from the plain, one will encounter a vast cosmological canvas pitting competing forces against each other in a captivating spectacle. The Formless Mother, the Sealed God of Scarlet Rot. Stars gleam with an inner drive, their celestial journey a relentless pursuit of cosmic purpose. The prospect of encountering more enigmatic silhouettes, set against the backdrop of a world lingering long after Marika’s Golden Order, is undeniably captivating; yet, ultimately, it proves hollow and devoid of substance.
While Elden Ring’s conclusion may necessitate restarting from a single point, potentially diminishing some of the player’s recent progress, it also stems from the game’s endearing array of notable characters, which are a significant draw. The peculiar charm of Marika’s kin lies in their irrelevance by the game’s end, which is a distinctive aspect of the sport itself. Caelid’s allure lies not just in its thrilling dungeons, intense boss battles, or breathtaking vistas, but in the multifaceted world that underlies these elements. Because it’s steeped in a richly private lore, it feels incredibly cool. As Radahn and Malenia clash, their armies wrack the desolate landscape, while players take center stage to unravel the mysteries shrouding these catastrophic events.
Departing from this setting, rather than just the land itself but also the time – a departure that would sever ties with the very essence that makes Elden Ring so rich and alluring. Wouldn’t you demand a fresh creation, a modern retelling of equal scope, innovative origin stories of strife and deceit? If you’re venturing that far, you may just as well dismantle camp and relocate elsewhere entirely?
With this transfer, FromSoftware is poised to excel in a realm where it truly shines. Bettering, evolving. By reimagining familiar game mechanics in unconventional settings, we’re able to craft fresh and captivating experiences that surprise and delight players.
The SmithScript weapons in Shadow of the Erdtree showcase a diverse array of hand-to-hand combat tools, along with the unique Spirit Ashes that have been incorporated into their designs. Let’s take a step back in time and revisit the Souls-like genre, blowing it up on a massive scale to create an enormous open world where exploration is the ultimate reward, dwarfing even the most expansive video game experiences imaginable. Crafting Solaire-level NPC questlines on multiple occasions, rather than just once. Unlike any other FromSoftware game has been, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an unparalleled delight.
It’s these exceptional leaps in quality that justify the excessive admiration for FromSoftware in my eyes. With the capacity to effortlessly conjure up a Bloodborne or Sekiro, effortlessly integrating motion RPG elements that consistently astound both newcomers and die-hard FromSoftware enthusiasts. While certain plot twists may occur between sequels,
Notably, we first observed this trend in Dark Souls 2, followed by the thrilling, if slightly self-referential, Dark Souls 3. While these gameplay enhancements seem genuinely impactful, they truly shine in the context of an entirely fresh intellectual property.
Perhaps within my chronically troubled heart, this notion has finally found a permanent abode. I relish booting up a freshly minted Dark Souls experience, eager to unravel its intricacies and piece together the narrative before esteemed streamers like VaatiVidya or other masters of the genre drop into my YouTube feed with an in-depth, hours-long analysis. I’m eager for new challenges and am a huge fan of FromSoftware’s approach to game development. I crave bold escapades in prosperous realms where I can unleash my sense of exploration and discovery.
