Elden Ring Review by AI

Elden Ring Review by AI

Elden Ring Review

Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, is one of the most highly anticipated games of 2022—and it more than delivers on that promise. Combining the notoriously challenging combat of Dark Souls, the atmospheric storytelling of Bloodborne, and the vast open-world exploration of modern RPGs, Elden Ring stands as a monumental achievement in the gaming world. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and aided by fantasy author George R.R. Martin (creator of A Song of Ice and Fire), this game offers a blend of lore, intricate world-building, and gameplay that will captivate fans of FromSoftware’s previous titles and newcomers alike.

Here’s an in-depth review of Elden Ring:

Story and Worldbuilding

Elden Ring takes place in a vast, dark fantasy world known as "The Lands Between." This world was once balanced and prosperous, but it has been thrown into chaos after the shattering of the Elden Ring, a powerful, magical artifact that once held the world together. The player takes on the role of a Tarnished, a lost soul who has been called back to the land to restore the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord.

The game’s storytelling, much like FromSoftware's previous works, is highly indirect. There’s no long cutscenes or spoon-fed exposition. Instead, the world’s lore is told through fragmented pieces—dialogue with NPCs, item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and hidden details scattered throughout the vast world. This method of storytelling might not appeal to everyone, but for those who enjoy piecing together the narrative themselves, it’s incredibly rewarding.

The involvement of George R.R. Martin adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the lore of the world is rich and complex, with deep backstories for many of its characters, locations, and events. The mystique of the world is a key part of Elden Ring's allure—there's always something more to discover, often in the most unexpected places.

Gameplay and Combat

One of Elden Ring's defining features is its open-world design. Unlike FromSoftware’s previous titles, which followed a more linear level structure, Elden Ring lets players explore a vast world filled with hidden secrets, dangerous enemies, and epic bosses. The map is expansive, filled with diverse environments like lush forests, treacherous swamps, towering castles, and massive ruins. Players are encouraged to explore at their own pace, uncovering new areas and quests as they venture deeper into the world. This freedom of exploration is one of the game’s biggest draws.

Combat System

The core of Elden Ring's gameplay remains its signature combat: methodical, punishing, and deeply satisfying. Players face off against a variety of challenging enemies and bosses, each requiring precise timing, careful strategy, and quick reflexes. The game’s combat system will feel familiar to anyone who’s played Dark Souls—with heavy emphasis on stamina management, dodging, blocking, and carefully timed strikes—but it also introduces new mechanics.

One key addition is the ability to mount a horse (Torrent), which allows for mounted combat and traversal across the open world. This adds a dynamic element to both exploration and combat, especially when battling large bosses or traversing the enormous landscape. Whether you’re dashing through an open field, scaling steep cliffs, or engaging in high-speed combat with large enemies, the horse provides a refreshing new layer of gameplay.

The game also offers a more flexible approach to character builds, letting players specialize in different combat styles. Whether you prefer wielding a sword, using magic, or combining both, there’s a wide variety of playstyles to experiment with. The new "Ashes of War" system also allows for a higher degree of customization, letting you attach special abilities or effects to weapons.

Bosses and Difficulty

The difficulty of Elden Ring is a hallmark of FromSoftware’s design philosophy. The game is relentlessly challenging, punishing players for mistakes and rewarding precision and perseverance. The bosses in Elden Ring are legendary in their design—some are colossal in size, others are fast and unforgiving, but all are incredibly satisfying to defeat. Victory against a particularly tough boss feels earned, and each boss battle is a monumental moment in the game.

While the difficulty may feel daunting at first, the game provides ample opportunity to level up, gather items, and discover new tactics to approach encounters. The inclusion of multiplayer elements also allows players to summon help, making difficult battles slightly more manageable.

World Design and Exploration

One of the most significant shifts in Elden Ring is the move to a true open world. FromSoftware has successfully crafted a world that feels both alive and immense, with towering castles, desolate landscapes, and mystical ruins. The game offers multiple paths to take and is designed with verticality in mind, allowing players to climb mountains, enter underground caves, and discover hidden areas.

What sets Elden Ring apart from other open-world RPGs is how FromSoftware has managed to retain its signature level of interconnected design within such a massive world. Even though the game is open-world, it’s still filled with carefully curated, handcrafted zones and dungeons, all of which are interconnected in subtle ways. There’s a sense of discovery and wonder that comes with stumbling upon a new area or secret location, especially when the world itself is so richly detailed.

The day-night cycle and weather effects also contribute to the world’s atmospheric design, making certain areas feel even more foreboding at night or when the weather turns ominous. The open world offers players an incredible sense of freedom, and the game never holds your hand, instead letting players choose their path, often with dangerous consequences.

Graphics and Sound

Graphically, Elden Ring is stunning. The world is filled with atmospheric landscapes, detailed character designs, and intricate environments. Whether it's the breathtaking sight of a massive, ruined castle or the ominous glow of an underground cavern, the game’s art direction is top-notch. Despite the open world and its scope, Elden Ring runs relatively smoothly on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles (with some minor technical hiccups on older hardware).

The sound design is equally impressive. The soundtrack, composed by Yuka Kitamura, Motoi Sakuraba, and Tsukasa Saitoh, perfectly complements the game’s dark, epic tone. Music swells during boss fights, and the ambient sounds of nature—rustling leaves, distant thunder, or the clanging of weapons—help immerse the player in the world. Voice acting is well done, especially considering the sparse dialogue and heavy reliance on environmental storytelling.

Pros

• Massive, beautiful open world: A vast world filled with secrets, hidden areas, and unique environments to explore.
• Deep, rewarding combat: Tough but fair combat with a wide range of playstyles and customization.
• Challenging and satisfying: Like FromSoftware’s previous games, the difficulty is high, but the sense of achievement is unparalleled.
• Lore and worldbuilding: A rich world with a deep, mysterious story told through exploration and interaction, enhanced by George R.R. Martin’s contributions.
• Bosses and encounters: Some of the most memorable and intense boss battles in gaming history.

Cons

• Steep difficulty curve: While rewarding, the difficulty can be a barrier for players new to FromSoftware’s games.
• Occasional technical issues: Some minor bugs or glitches, particularly on older hardware or during heavy graphical loads.
• Sparse story delivery: The indirect storytelling may leave some players frustrated or confused without actively digging for lore.

Conclusion

Elden Ring is an incredible triumph, a perfect blend of FromSoftware’s signature design with the open-world elements that are now a staple of modern RPGs. With its deep lore, expansive world, and challenging gameplay, it’s a game that rewards patience, exploration, and persistence. While its difficulty may deter some, it’s a must-play for anyone who loves dark fantasy, complex combat, and immersive world-building. Whether you're a fan of FromSoftware’s previous titles or someone new to their games, Elden Ring is a journey worth taking.