Elden Ring took the gaming world by storm, and if you’ve spent any time online in the past couple of years, you’ve probably seen the hype. From legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazaki and the team at FromSoftware, Elden Ring promised a massive, open-world experience with the signature difficulty and depth the studio is known for. But is the game truly worth all the praise? Or is it just another title riding the wave of exaggerated expectations? Let’s take a deep dive.
A World Unlike Any Other
From the moment you step into The Lands Between, Elden Ring makes one thing clear. It isn’t holding your hand. There are no forced tutorials, no quest markers cluttering the screen, and certainly no expository characters laying out the stakes for you. Instead, you’re dropped into a hauntingly beautiful world filled with cryptic dialogue, grotesque enemies, and the distinct feeling that danger is lurking around every corner.
Unlike traditional open-world games that funnel you through a structured path, Elden Ring lets you roam free. Want to fight a towering dragon within your first hour? Go ahead. Prefer to explore hidden catacombs teeming with skeletons and secrets? That’s an option too. The sheer amount of freedom is staggering, and it makes every discovery feel earned.
Combat That Demands Mastery
Anyone familiar with FromSoftware’s previous works. Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro. Knows what to expect in terms of combat: precision, patience, and punishment. Elden Ring is no different. Every enemy, from the lowliest grunt to the most terrifying boss, demands attention and strategy. Button-mashing won’t save you here.
The introduction of a horseback combat system adds a new layer of complexity. Some fights feel almost like jousting matches, with players circling their enemies, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Magic, previously a more niche build in earlier games, is now a viable and powerful option, with dazzling spells that change how battles unfold.
Of course, the bosses themselves deserve special mention. From grotesque, multi-limbed monstrosities to eerie humanoid warriors that move unnervingly fast, each encounter is a spectacle. Some fights will crush your soul. Maliketh, Radagon, and the now-infamous Malenia have driven countless players to the brink of frustration. But that moment of victory, after countless attempts, is what makes Elden Ring truly special.
Storytelling in the Shadows
Much like its predecessors, Elden Ring doesn’t serve its story on a silver platter. There are no long-winded cutscenes explaining the world, no clear villain twirling their mustache. The lore is deep. Almost overwhelmingly so. But you have to work for it.
Item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and fragmented dialogue form the backbone of the game’s narrative. If you’re someone who enjoys piecing together cryptic clues, Elden Ring offers one of the richest worlds to dissect. It helps that the lore was co-written by George R.R. Martin, lending a grand, mythological weight to the world’s backstory.
The Difficulty Debate
No discussion of Elden Ring is complete without touching on difficulty. FromSoftware games are notoriously brutal, and this one is no exception. Some players argue that the steep challenge is what makes victories satisfying. Others feel the lack of difficulty settings shuts out those who want to experience the world without hours of frustration.
To its credit, Elden Ring offers more ways to approach difficulty than previous Souls titles. Summoning spirits, co-op multiplayer, and the ability to simply walk away from a tough encounter and return stronger all help make the game more accessible. Is it still brutally hard? Absolutely. But it’s also more forgiving than many expected.
Worth the Hype?
At the end of the day, Elden Ring isn’t just another game. It’s an experience. It challenges, frustrates, and astonishes in equal measure. The world is vast and rich with secrets, the combat punishes carelessness but rewards skill, and the sense of wonder never fades.
It’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be. If you’re looking for a casual, story-driven adventure with clear-cut objectives, this might not be what you’re after. But for those who crave a deep, rewarding experience that respects the player’s intelligence and persistence, Elden Ring more than earns its reputation.
Have you battled through The Lands Between? Share your experiences. And the bosses that gave you the most trouble. In the comments!
