DESCRIPTION OF ELDEN RING
Elden Ring is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware, the creators of the critically acclaimed Souls series. It is directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding provided by fantasy writer George R. R. Martin. It was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 25 by FromSoftware in Japan and Bandai Namco Entertainment internationally. Players control a customizable player character who is on a quest to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord. Elden Ring is presented through a third-person perspective; players freely roam its interactive open world. The six main areas are traversed using the player character’s steed Torrent as the primary mode of travel. Linear, hidden dungeons can be explored to find useful items. Players can use several types of weapons and magic spells, including non-direct engagement enabled by stealth mechanics. Throughout the game’s world, checkpoints enable fast travel and allow players to improve their attributes using an in-game currency called Runes. Elden Ring has an online multiplayer mode in which players can join each other for cooperative and player-versus-player combat. |
The Story of Elden Ring |
The Lands Between and the Elden Ring |
The game is set in an open world called the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Miyazaki and Martin. The Lands Between were once ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal and her offspring, who drew their powers from the mighty Erdtree and a golden order known as the Elden Ring. However, things quickly came to ruin as a secret plot was enacted, and mysterious agents stole the Rune of Death, and killed one of Marika’s children – Godwyn the Golden. These events caused Queen Marika to disappear, and in her absence the demigod children waged war upon one another, but no victor emerged, causing the Lands Between to crumble under never-ending conflict, and the Elden Ring and the golden order it upheld to become shattered. |
The Tarnished and the Elden Lord |
The player character is one of the Tarnished – a people long since driven from the Lands Between by Queen Marika for their lack of grace. They are guided by a mysterious voice to return to their homeland and seek out the shards of the Elden Ring known as the Great Runes. By collecting these runes from the demigods who claim them, they can restore the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord – a powerful being who can shape the world according to their will. However, they will also have to face the wrath of the other demigods, as well as a mysterious enemy known as the Red Hood, who seeks to destroy the Elden Ring and plunge the world into darkness. |
The Gameplay of Elden Ring |
World Exploration and Travel |
Elden Ring features an open world that is divided into six regions, each ruled by a demigod who holds a Great Rune. The regions are connected by a hub area called the Erdtree, where the player can rest, level up, craft items, and access other features. The player can explore the regions in any order they wish, and discover various landmarks, secrets, enemies, and bosses. The world is dynamic and changes according to the time of day, weather, and events triggered by the player or the demigods. Some areas may be inaccessible or more dangerous at certain times or conditions. The player can travel across the world using their steed Torrent, a horse-like creature that can run, jump, glide, and swim. Torrent can also be summoned at any time and anywhere, except in dungeons or boss arenas. The player can also fast travel between checkpoints called Sites of Lost Grace, which are activated by lighting a fire. These sites also serve as places where the player can heal, replenish their items, and summon friendly spirits for assistance. |
Combat and Customization |
Elden Ring’s combat system is similar to that of the Souls series, but with more options and flexibility. The player can use various types of weapons, such as swords, spears, axes, hammers, bows, and daggers. Each weapon has its own moveset, damage type, and special ability. The player can also use magic spells that are divided into four categories: Enchantments, which enhance the player’s weapons or abilities; Hexes, which inflict negative effects on enemies; Runesmithing, which create runes that can be placed on the ground or thrown at enemies; and Summons, which call forth powerful allies or creatures to aid the player. The player can equip up to four weapons and four spells at a time, and switch between them on the fly. The player can also customize their character’s appearance, attributes, skills, and equipment. The attributes are Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Vitality, Endurance , and Grace. The skills are Weapon Arts, which are special moves that consume stamina; Spirit Arts, which are passive abilities that enhance the player’s combat performance; and Legacy Arts, which are powerful attacks that consume a resource called Legacy Gauge. The equipment includes weapons, armor, rings, amulets, and consumable items. The player can find, buy, or craft new equipment using materials found in the world or dropped by enemies. |
Online Multiplayer and Co-op |
Elden Ring has an online multiplayer mode that allows up to four players to join each other for cooperative or competitive gameplay. The player can use an item called a Guiding Light to either summon other players to their world as allies, or invade other players’ worlds as enemies. The player can also use a feature called Shared World to see and interact with other players’ actions and messages in the world. For example, the player can see other players’ battles, deaths, discoveries, or creations in the form of phantoms, bloodstains, notes, or runes. The player can also join or create a Covenant, which is a faction that has its own goals, rewards, and rules for online interactions. |
The Reception and Expectations of Elden Ring |
Critical Acclaim and Awards |
Elden Ring received universal acclaim from critics and players alike, who praised its expansive and immersive world, its deep and varied combat system, its rich and engaging story, its stunning graphics and sound design, and its innovative online features. The game received numerous awards and nominations from various publications and events, such as Game of the Year, Best RPG, Best Art Direction, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Soundtrack, Best Online Experience, and more. The game also broke several sales records, becoming the fastest-selling game in FromSoftware’s history, as well as one of the best-selling games of 2022. |
Fan Anticipation and Hype |
Elden Ring was one of the most anticipated games of 2022, generating a huge amount of hype and excitement among fans of FromSoftware’s previous games and George R. R. Martin’s works. The game was first announced at E3 2019 with a teaser trailer that revealed the collaboration between Miyazaki and Martin. However, after that, the game went into a long period of silence, with no new information or footage being released for almost two years. This led to many fans speculating, theorizing, and creating memes about the game’s development status, its possible features, its release date, and its connection to other FromSoftware games. Some fans even created fake leaks or trailers to fool or entertain others. The game’s official gameplay trailer was finally revealed at Summer Game Fest 2021, followed by several other trailers and interviews that showcased more details about the game’s world, story , and gameplay. The fan reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement and admiration for the game’s scope, quality, and innovation. |
Future Content and Updates |
Elden Ring is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new adventure. The game’s developers have promised to support the game with regular updates and patches that will fix any issues, balance the gameplay, and add new features and content. The game will also receive at least two major expansions that will introduce new regions, enemies, bosses, weapons, spells, items, and storylines. The expansions will be available as part of a season pass or as standalone purchases. The game will also have cross-play and cross-progression features that will allow players to play with each other and access their save data across different platforms and devices. |
Conclusion |
Elden Ring is a masterpiece of gaming that combines the best elements of FromSoftware’s previous games with the creative vision of George R. R. Martin. It is a game that offers a vast and immersive world to explore, a deep and varied combat system to master, a rich and engaging story to follow, and an innovative online mode to share. It is a game that challenges, rewards, and surprises players with its difficulty, diversity, and beauty. It is a game that deserves to be played by anyone who loves video games and fantasy. Elden Ring is not just a game, it is an experience. |
FAQs |
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