Elden Ring Review: A Masterpiece of Open-World RPG

Elden Ring is the latest masterpiece from FromSoftware, the creators of the acclaimed Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It is a game that combines the best elements of these previous titles, such as challenging combat, rich lore, and atmospheric world design, with a new and ambitious open-world structure that allows for unprecedented freedom and exploration. Elden Ring is not only the biggest and most ambitious game FromSoftware has ever made but also one of the best open-world RPGs ever made.

The Story and the World

Elden Ring is set in a vast and mysterious land called The Lands Between, where the shattered remnants of a divine artifact known as the Elden Ring still influence the world and its inhabitants. You play as Tarnished, a fallen warrior who has been exiled from the land and now returns to claim the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord. However, you are not the only one who seeks this power, as you will face many enemies and obstacles along the way, including the six Demigods who have usurped the thrones of the six regions of the land.

The story of Elden Ring is told in a typical FromSoftware fashion, which means it is not straightforward or linear, but rather cryptic and fragmented. You will have to piece together the lore and history of the world through dialogues, item descriptions, environmental clues, and your own interpretation. The story is also influenced by your choices and actions, as you can ally with or betray certain characters, complete or ignore side quests, and discover multiple endings. The story of Elden Ring is not meant to be fully understood in one playthrough, but rather to be experienced and explored in multiple ways.

The world of Elden Ring is one of the most impressive and immersive aspects of the game, as it offers a huge and diverse open world that is full of secrets, surprises, and wonders. You can travel across the land on foot or on horseback, and encounter various landscapes, such as forests, mountains, swamps, deserts, and ruins. You can also interact with the dynamic weather and day-night cycle, which affect the environment and the enemies. You can also discover hidden dungeons, caves, and castles, where you will face more challenges and rewards.

The world of Elden Ring is not just a backdrop for the story, but also a playground for the player, as you can explore it in any way you want, and find your own path and adventure. You can follow the main quest and progress the story, or you can wander off and discover side quests, optional bosses, and secrets. You can also influence the world and its inhabitants, as you can help or hinder certain factions, trigger events and changes, and create your own legacy.

The Gameplay and the Combat

Elden Ring is a game that builds on the core gameplay and combat mechanics of the previous FromSoftware games, while also adding new and innovative features and systems that enhance the experience and the variety. The gameplay of Elden Ring is based on the familiar cycle of exploration, combat, and progression, but with more options and flexibility than ever before.

The exploration of Elden Ring is enhanced by the open-world structure, which allows you to choose your own route and destination, and by the new traversal mechanics, such as the horse, the jump, and the stealth. The exploration of Elden Ring is also enriched by the new online features, such as the ability to leave messages, summon or invade other players, and join or create co-op sessions. The exploration of Elden Ring is also rewarded by the new loot system, which allows you to find and craft various weapons, armor, items, and runes, which can modify your abilities and playstyle.

The combat of Elden Ring is refined by the improved combat mechanics, such as the posture, the guard, and the counter, which add more depth and strategy to the fights. The combat of Elden Ring is also diversified by the new combat options, such as the magic, the skills, and the spirit summons, which add more variety and customization to the battles. The combat of Elden Ring is also challenged by the new enemy types, such as the roaming enemies, the mini-bosses, and the world bosses, which add more unpredictability and difficulty to the encounters.

The progression of Elden Ring is streamlined by the simplified progression system, which allows you to level up your attributes, upgrade your equipment, and unlock new abilities at the same hub, called the Site of Grace. The progression of Elden Ring is also personalized by the new character creation system, which allows you to customize your appearance, background, and starting class, as well as change your class and appearance at any time. The progression of Elden Ring is also influenced by the new covenant system, which allows you to join one of the six covenants, each with its own benefits, drawbacks, and quests.

The Verdict

Elden Ring is a game that surpasses expectations and the hype and delivers a masterpiece of open-world RPG. It is a game that offers a captivating and complex story, a stunning and immersive world, and satisfying and varied gameplay. It is a game that respects and rewards the player’s curiosity, creativity, and skill. It is a game that challenges and inspires the player to become an Elden Lord. It is a game that deserves to be played and praised by all RPG fans.

Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. You can check out the official site, the trailer, and the reviews for more information.