The gaming world has been abuzz with the release of Elden Ring, the latest magnum opus from the legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazaki. As the spiritual successor to the Dark Souls series, Elden Ring has naturally drawn comparisons to its Soulsborne predecessors. But the question remains: is Elden Ring simply Dark Souls reimagined, or does it carve its own distinct path in the world of action RPGs?
The Soulsborne Legacy: Understanding The Common Threads
To understand the similarities and differences between Elden Ring and Dark Souls, it is essential to delve into the Soulsborne legacy. This subgenre, coined by Miyazaki himself, refers to the interconnected universe of games that share a common DNA, including Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
At its core, the Soulsborne legacy is built upon several key principles:
- Interconnected world design: A seamless, interconnected world that rewards exploration and encourages players to uncover hidden secrets.
- Challenging difficulty: A deliberate, measured approach to difficulty that requires skill, strategy, and perseverance to overcome.
- Atmosphere and immersion: A rich, atmospheric environment that draws players into the world, often accompanied by a haunting soundtrack and cryptic narrative.
- Cryptic storytelling: A narrative that is intentionally vague, allowing players to piece together the lore and history of the world through subtle clues and inference.
Elden Ring, as the latest entry in the Soulsborne canon, shares many of these common threads. The game takes place in a sprawling, interconnected world, replete with hidden areas and secret paths waiting to be discovered. The challenging difficulty is, of course, a hallmark of the Soulsborne experience, and Elden Ring is no exception, with formidable enemies and complex boss battles that will test even the most seasoned players.
Similarities In Gameplay Mechanics
Beyond the broad strokes of the Soulsborne legacy, Elden Ring shares several specific gameplay mechanics with Dark Souls. These include:
- Stamina-based combat: A stamina system that governs the player’s ability to attack, dodge, and perform other actions, adding a layer of strategy to combat.
- Shield-based defensive mechanics: The use of shields as a primary defensive tool, allowing players to block and deflect attacks.
- Soul-like leveling system: A leveling system that rewards players with experience points, which can be used to upgrade attributes and abilities.
However, it is essential to note that Elden Ring also introduces several innovations that deviate from the traditional Dark Souls formula. For example, the game features a mounted combat system, allowing players to explore the world and engage in combat on horseback. This adds a new dimension to the gameplay experience, enabling players to quickly traverse the open world and respond to threats from a mobile perspective.
Diverging Paths: What Sets Elden Ring Apart
While Elden Ring shares many similarities with Dark Souls, it is far from a carbon copy. Several key differences set the game apart, making it a distinct and innovative entry in the Soulsborne canon.
The Open World Conundrum
One of the most significant departures from the traditional Dark Souls formula is Elden Ring’s open world design. Gone are the linear, interconnected areas of the Souls series; instead, players are dropped into a vast, open world that encourages exploration and discovery.
This shift towards an open world has significant implications for gameplay. Players are no longer funneled through a series of linear areas, but are instead free to explore and approach objectives in a non-linear fashion. This adds a new layer of complexity to the game, as players must navigate the world, avoiding danger and uncovering hidden secrets.
The Trade-Off: Linearity vs. Freedom
The open world design of Elden Ring comes at a cost, however. The game’s narrative is less focused, with players required to piece together the story through environmental clues and item descriptions. This can lead to a sense of disorientation, particularly for players accustomed to the more directed experience of Dark Souls.
On the other hand, the open world design offers a level of freedom and agency that is unparalleled in the Soulsborne series. Players are free to explore, experiment, and approach challenges in a way that is uniquely their own.
New Magic System And Incantations
Another significant departure from Dark Souls is Elden Ring’s revamped magic system. Gone are the traditional spells and miracles of the Souls series; instead, players have access to a range of incantations that can be used to devastating effect.
Incantations are powerful, magical abilities that can be used to destroy enemies, heal allies, and manipulate the environment. These abilities are fueled by a new resource called FP, which can be replenished through combat and exploration.
The incantation system adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to approach combat and exploration in a more creative and flexible way. This system is particularly effective in conjunction with the game’s stake of marrow mechanic, which enables players to implant magical abilities into their weapons, granting them access to devastating combos and area-of-effect attacks.
Conclusion: A New Chapter In The Soulsborne Saga
Elden Ring is a game that defies easy categorization. While it shares many similarities with Dark Souls, it is a distinct and innovative entry in the Soulsborne canon. The game’s open world design, revamped magic system, and mounted combat mechanics set it apart from its predecessors, offering a fresh take on the Soulsborne formula.
Ultimately, the question of whether Elden Ring is like Dark Souls is a moot point. The game is a unique, engaging, and challenging experience that stands on its own merits, building upon the Soulsborne legacy while carving its own path in the world of action RPGs.
Whether you are a veteran of the Souls series or new to the world of Soulsborne, Elden Ring is a must-play experience that is sure to captivate and challenge even the most seasoned gamers.
What Makes Elden Ring A Soulsborne Game, If At All?
Elden Ring’s connection to the Soulsborne genre stems from its developer, FromSoftware, which is also behind the Dark Souls series and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game’s dark fantasy setting, atmospheric soundtrack, and challenging gameplay mechanics are all reminiscent of the Soulsborne formula. Additionally, Elden Ring’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is also the brainchild behind the Souls series, which further solidifies the game’s Soulsborne roots.
However, it’s essential to note that Elden Ring deviates from traditional Soulsborne games in several ways. For instance, the game features a more open-world design, allowing players to explore a vast, interconnected landscape. This departure from the typically linear Soulsborne level design is a significant deviation from the norm. As such, while Elden Ring shares many Soulsborne elements, it’s not a traditional Soulsborne game in the classical sense.
How Does Elden Ring’s Lore Differ From Other Soulsborne Games?
Elden Ring’s lore is perhaps one of its most distinct features, setting it apart from other Soulsborne games. The game takes place in a world created by George R.R. Martin, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and Hidetaka Miyazaki. This collaborative effort has resulted in a rich, complex narrative that’s both fascinating and intimidating. The game’s world is filled with mysterious factions, ancient history, and cryptic characters, which adds to the sense of discovery and exploration.
In contrast to other Soulsborne games, Elden Ring’s lore is more overt and explicit, with a greater emphasis on storytelling and character development. The game’s narrative is also more fragmented, with players piecing together the story through various clues, item descriptions, and environmental details. This approach creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing players deeper into the world of Elden Ring.
What Role Does Exploration Play In Elden Ring?
Exploration is a core aspect of Elden Ring, encouraging players to venture off the beaten path and uncover the game’s many secrets. The game’s open-world design allows players to traverse the Lands Between, a sprawling realm filled with hidden locations, mysterious NPCs, and ancient ruins. Exploration is rewarded with valuable items, powerful equipment, and insight into the game’s cryptic lore.
As players explore the world, they’ll encounter various biomes, each with its unique challenges, enemies, and breathtaking landscapes. The game’s world is designed to be discovered, with players uncovering hidden paths, secret areas, and Easter eggs that add to the game’s sense of depth and complexity. By emphasizing exploration, Elden Ring creates a sense of wonder and discovery, drawing players into its dark, fantastical world.
How Does Elden Ring’s Combat Differ From Other Soulsborne Games?
Elden Ring’s combat system has undergone significant changes compared to other Soulsborne games. While the game still maintains the deliberate, weighty feel characteristic of Soulsborne combat, it introduces several new mechanics that enhance the overall experience. For example, the game features a greater emphasis on mounted combat, allowing players to gallop into battle on horseback. This adds a new layer of dynamism to the combat, as players can exploit the mobility and range provided by their steed.
Additionally, Elden Ring introduces a more nuanced approach to defensive mechanics, such as the ability to dodge and counterattack with greater precision. The game’s magic system has also been revamped, allowing players to wield powerful incantations and summonings that can turn the tide of battle. These changes create a more fluid, responsive combat experience that rewards strategy and creativity.
Is Elden Ring’s Difficulty Toned Down Compared To Other Soulsborne Games?
Elden Ring’s difficulty is a topic of much debate, with some players arguing that the game is more accessible than other Soulsborne titles. While it’s true that the game’s open-world design and more generous checkpoint system make it slightly more forgiving, Elden Ring is still a challenging, punishing experience. The game’s enemies are just as aggressive and unforgiving as those found in other Soulsborne games, and the boss battles are equally demanding.
That being said, Elden Ring does offer some concessions to new players, such as a more comprehensive tutorial and more explicit guidance on how to progress through the game. However, these accommodations are subtle and don’t fundamentally alter the game’s challenging nature. As such, while Elden Ring may be slightly more accessible than other Soulsborne games, it’s still a game that demands skill, perseverance, and dedication.
What Role Does Multiplayer Play In Elden Ring?
Elden Ring’s multiplayer component is a significant departure from other Soulsborne games, which typically feature more limited, asynchronous multiplayer elements. In Elden Ring, players can engage in seamless co-op play, joining forces with friends to tackle the game’s toughest challenges. This cooperative play is designed to be flexible, allowing players to drop in and out of each other’s games at will.
However, Elden Ring’s multiplayer goes beyond simple co-op play. The game also features a more pervasive, always-online component, where players can interact with each other in subtle, mysterious ways. For example, players can leave behind messages, warnings, and hints for other players, creating a sense of community and shared experience. This online aspect adds a new layer of depth to the game, enhancing the overall experience without compromising the core single-player adventure.
Is Elden Ring A True Soulsborne Game, Or A Departure From The Genre?
Elden Ring is a game that defies easy categorization, blending elements from the Soulsborne genre with fresh, innovative mechanics. While it shares many of the same DNA as other Soulsborne games, it’s clear that FromSoftware has taken deliberate steps to evolve and expand the formula. The game’s open-world design, more accessible difficulty, and enhanced multiplayer features all contribute to a unique experience that’s both familiar and new.
Ultimately, whether or not Elden Ring is considered a “true” Soulsborne game is a matter of personal opinion. Some players may view it as a natural evolution of the genre, while others may see it as a departure from the traditional Soulsborne formula. Regardless, Elden Ring is a game that’s sure to fascinate and challenge fans of the genre, offering a fresh, exciting take on the Soulsborne experience.