Elden Ring (2022)

I am convinced we have not reached the pinnacle of open world mapping in games and that the “best” way just hasn’t been invented (discovered?) yet. I appreciate the fairly minimalist design in Elden Ring with limited auto-mapped icons. At the same time the user dropped pins just doesn’t cut it. Only 100? I ran out in a single play session.

I really wish there was user note taking on the map; I remember one of the Zelda Games on the 3DS let you draw directly on it (Phantom Hourglass?). Assuming your handwriting wasn’t chicken scratch like mine it was a better but not perfect approach. Skyrim will automatically mark dungeons on the map you have completed, which I think would have been a big quality of life improvement here. But there is something missing for the over world. Discovering a part of the open world map is a key feature that shouldn’t change, and I am grateful there is less tower climbing these days. But we still need a better system for denoting where you have actually explored …StarCraft fog-of-war maybe?

Developers keep trying new things…

Having spent 10 hours, I can easily say I'm enjoying my time. However, each play session is maybe an hour long before responsibilities crash back in and move me elsewhere.

This step stone progress, while promising, is slowing down the experience to worrisome, bite size pieces. I fear that it'll begin to be a chore or bore. Limited time resources could be spent on something I could finish and hum at a higher rate of entertainment.

That being said, the Elden Ring...

Alright, second night in and how’s it going?

Defeated a number of minor bosses, have an improved bleed build and weapons (still a work in progress but getting better) and that means:

• Margit is down. He had some decent moves but ultimately couldn’t handle my bleed build and haemorrhaged major health so he’s down in one.
• Took down my first dragon, Agheel. This one took two tries because I didn’t realize it had a one hit insta-kill lunge and bite attack. He chomped through my full health in one go during the first fight. I noticed it only started doing this once down to 10-15% health so the second time I attacked it’s legs close up to apply bleed and then stayed my distance and used arrows for the last 10% health. Enjoyable fight and now I have a dragon heart that I can use for incantations, however I’m not a caster lol

All-in-all a pretty decent start.

This is the kind of open world I can dig. Some subtle signposts to indicated a general path, but nothing except stronger enemies to keep me from exploring wherever I want (and frankly, even enemies can't keep me and Torrent away).

Combat is highly enjoyable, and my proto-bleed build is already working nicely. I love seeing big chunks of health fall off enemies thanks to the bleed effect. It largely feels like Dark Souls, except that it feels considerably brighter.

And boy howdy people weren't joking when they said the game rains wolves from the sky. It really does!

Instead of writing a review I'm just gonna post one last update.

I've completed the game. I still don't really understand wtf the story is all about. I'll never forget Ranni and her questline or Radahn's incredible setting and fight. But... reflecting on my playthrough, the most annoying part of the experience, is that the coolest and most interesting weapons, armor and spells/incantations, are found after 90 hours of playing.

I love From Software and their games. Elden Ring is truly special and memorable. I enjoyed most of it, but it outstayed its welcome. I hope their next game goes for less open world shenanigans and back to condensed, focused, game design.