Elden Ring Review

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Developer: FromSoftware Inc.
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Publisher: FromSoftware, Inc., Bandai Namco Entertainment
Genre: Souls-like, Dark Fantasy, Open World, RPG
Mode: Single-player, Online Co-op, Online PvP

Elden Ring—if you're ready to dive into the abyss and confront your anger and rage, this game is for you. Reminiscent of Dark Souls (from the same developer), Elden Ring will definitely test your patience.

The story can be straightforward, but to truly enjoy the game, you must explore the entire map and interact with NPCs. Each NPC has their own background story that you can influence or guide. To get started, you'll need to discover and unlock "graces," which are points where you can rest and level up your character. These graces also point you toward the region's boss, marking your story progression. Be sure to read item descriptions to uncover the game's lore, as every choice you make when talking to NPCs, or deciding whether to kill them, can lead to different rewards.

Exploration is key—search every corner of the world, as there are secret bosses and items waiting to be discovered. Your exploration will be rewarded with valuable treasures. You can travel by horse or fast travel after unlocking graces.

The combat system is typical RPG style but includes special abilities like "Ashes of War," which you can apply to your weapon. This gives you combo attacks or elemental abilities, plus the ability to dodge enemy attacks. "Spirit Ashes" allow you to summon spirits to assist you in battle, and each weapon or equipment has its own unique skills or abilities.

As for gameplay, you can take two approaches: the hard way or the easy way. The hard way involves mastering the game's timing, dodging, and attacking. The easy way? Explore as much as possible. If you don’t, progressing through the game can become a real challenge.

One of my favorite aspects of this game is the community mods. The Seamless Co-op mod, for example, lets you play with friends without the usual co-op restrictions found in the base game, where players are only summoned for specific areas or bosses. Definitely give it a try!

The leveling system can be devastating for first-time players. If you die, you lose your collected "souls" (the in-game currency earned from defeating enemies). You can recover them if you return to the spot where you died, but if you die again before recovering them, they're gone forever. I’ve often lost souls when encountering a boss, as my friend and I kept dying before we could retrieve them. Make sure to level up before facing a boss—don’t be like us!

The world of Elden Ring is stunning, with a mix of beauty, gore, and horror. Each region has its own unique charm, but beware—beauty often hides danger. Enemies can ambush, backstab, catapult, or drag you off cliffs. Stay alert before taking a moment to admire the scenery!

The game's DLC adds extra challenges and more fun, pushing you to "git gud." And one final note: CURSE YOU, BAYLE!!