2/24/2023 0 Comments Elden ring dark soulsSo whether I was using the Hunter Axe, the Threaded Cane, or eventually (and always) Ludwig’s Holy Blade, I was never playing defense. In Bloodborne, I could choose from a lot of wacky items, but the intended playstyle always felt clear: Defensive play was punished while aggressive play was rewarded. While that might not matter (and in fact excites many players), it kept me from wanting to engage. Even when I was having fun, playing aggressively and ignoring shields, I felt like I was doing something wrong and not playing the game the way From intended. ![]() With Dark Souls, I always disliked how flexible the builds were. In a larger sense, it dawned on me that my issues with Elden Ring were my own fault. ![]() If I wasn’t deliberate with my combos, and didn’t know their timing to the exact second, I would fail.Īfter two-dozen hours, I found my fun in Elden Ring. Every battle was punishing, forcing me to play aggressively against much faster foes. In this Radahn-enthusiast playstyle, I discovered a spark that reminded me of the FromSoftware titles I love. Using my new toy, I reintroduced myself to the witch, defeated Starscourge Radahn, unlocked his two massive swords, purchased his armor, and cosplayed as the tiny horse-riding demi-god for the rest of the game. Then I started cleaving my way through the hand-spiders of Caria Manor, and I knew this was the playstyle for me. Not immediately convinced by the new build, I started Ranni’s quest as a kind of test. Suddenly, I was rolling around in heavy armor with a sword twice the size of my character. So despite being a Prisoner class not initially designed for Strength builds, I changed things up. Still, I’d collected a “Colossal Sword” just called “Greatsword,” and was curious about it. I wasn’t enjoying the Dexterity/Intellect build I was using, but it was working well enough that I was afraid of change. But I was just playing out of obligation and recommendation, trying, desperately and stubbornly, to figure out how I could make the experience more like the FromSoftware games I adored.Īfter 20 miserable hours, I killed Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and started two new ventures: Respeccing my character and starting Ranni’s quest.Įlden Ring is FromSoftware’s best, most approachable, and difficult game yet I eventually pushed into the Lake of Liurnia and Raya Lucaria Academy. I was frustrated, under-leveled, and bored of riding my horse from place to place. ![]() Using flavor-of-the-week builds like the Moonveil katana and magic (which I’d heard were good), I pushed through Margit the Fell Omen, Stormveil Castle, and Godrick the Grafted. With some decent FromSoftware experience under my belt, I felt confident enough in my skill level that I wouldn’t need to grind things out, and only looked for items that fell neatly into my pre-determined build. And so I decided to mainline the game as much as I could. When I’d stumble into a catacomb, I’d eventually leave victorious, but annoyed that all I got was a bow I’ll never use.Īs a player who typically doesn’t like the loose and free structure of modern open world games - even those filled with icons telling you what to do - I feared that I’d never click with Elden Ring. ![]() Even the guiding lights on the Sites of Grace - which just pointed me toward a boss that I was too underleveled to take on - couldn’t help me. With Elden Ring’s open world, however, I was able to go in every direction from the start. FromSoftware’s past titles intentionally obfuscated where to go next, but at least you only had so many options. My initial trepidation with Elden Ring was entirely due to its size. Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon
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