Elden Ring's Legacy: Outlasting Best RPGs with Newcomer Discovery

2024-11-29
Elden Ring's Legacy: Outlasting Best RPGs with Newcomer Discovery
In order to access Shadow of the Erdtree – the first (and almost certainly last) slice of Elden Ring DLC – you must first defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood. This is a crucial step that sets the stage for the journey ahead. To defeat Mohg, one must first reach Mohgwyn Palace. And to reach Mohgwyn Palace, one must first complete a totally-missable early game questline. After completing this questline, you’ll reach the optional area, but you may find yourself under-powered. Alternatively, you can access a secret Waygate located in one of the farthest-flung corners of the late-game area, Consecrated Snowfield. To access the Consecrated Snowfield, you must first locate both halves of the Hildtree Secret Medallion. This requires traveling to Village of the Albinaurics and then Castle Sol. Castle Sol is a challenging place that requires you to overcome optional boss Commander Niall, who is as hard as fucking nails. And all of this is merely to access Elden Ring’s additional content. Now try explaining all of that to someone who’s just emerged from the Cave of Knowledge starting area, with a save file minutes-long and who fancies their chances against that first roaming Tree Sentinel making its way down the grassy hill in the distance on horseback. Oh, you sweet summer child, you’ve no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.

Root and branches

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Which is the essence of Elden Ring’s beauty. It is absolutely massive, and eschews everything we once knew about typical FromSoftware games in terms of level design, pacing and environmental storytelling. Once hailed for their compact interconnectedness and deft vertical world-building – traits especially well-executed in Dark Souls (2011) and Bloodborne (2015) – Elden Ring leverages the hardware it runs on to spread itself horizontally over a humongous world map that puts any action RPG released in the last 30 years to shame.Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and moreGiven Elden Ring landed in 2022 on high-end PCs and the most cutting edge consoles, that’s maybe to be expected – but the size of the sprawling world within which its story unfolds is only notable if it’s filled with interesting things to see and do. And Elden Ring is brimming with questlines, side ventures, stunning vistas, quaint backwater burghs, quirky NPCs who never once forget a single double-crossing, taxing enemy battles, lore-specific item placement and so much more.I clocked over 300 hours in The Lands Between before I discovered its version of Dark Souls’ worst area, a deadly underground labyrinth of pipes and plateaus. It took me just as long to hoist my jaw off the floor as it did to guide The Tarnished back to relative safety on the surface.I may not be saying anything revolutionary here. GamesRadar+’s five-star Elden Ring review laid bare everything that makes this game great almost three years ago, after all. But as we reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, the long-anticipated arrival of the base game’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion back in June is surely a crowning feature of the last 12 months, so much so, The Game Awards has made the controversial decision to include the added content among its GOTY contenders.(Image credit: FromSoftware)Whether or not deserving of that inclusion is a different conversation, but what is clear is the sheer depth and variety of content Elden Ring offers in the here and now – something that’s even more pertinent for new players. Just the thought of putting myself in the shoes of a fresh-faced adventurer who’s still to visit Stormveil Castle for the first time flips my stomach; who’s yet to be fooled by a cave-dwelling Patches, wind up in the red-rotten hell of Caelid, and get chased by a roaring bear all the while screaming at the top of their lungs in real life and upsetting their real world neighbours.Whether or not that anecdote applies to anyone but me is yet another conversation, but there are no action-RPGs out there right now that include the same bang for their buck when taking the Elden Ring base game and Shadow of the Erdtree as one single entity. I’d concede that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers comparable choice-driven gameplay in the more traditional role-playing space, but for me there’s no question which game excels through the lens of spectacle.When you throw in the vast and growing library of creative, player-made mods that exist to bolster FromSoftware’s foundations, as well as the enduring headline appeal of dream team Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin in the writer’s room, I firmly believe Elden Ring is on course to surpass Skyrim as the longest-lasting, most important action role-player of all time. People are still talking about the genius of the original Dark Souls some 13 years on, and it held cult status right up until the launch of Dark Souls 3 five years after the fact.Underwritten by prior Dark Souls entries, as well as Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring has launched FromSoftware into the mainstream, in the same way The Elder Scrolls 5 was a starting point for those who missed that series’ post-DOS era ventures Oblivion and Morrowind. Skyrim is the ruler within The Elder Scrolls’ dynasty, there’s no question about that, and there’s every chance we’ll have this same conversation whenever The Elder Scrolls 6 lifts its head above the parapet.But if FromSoftware games have taught me nothing else, it’s that history is forever doomed to repeat itself. And from hereon and henceforth, it’s Elden Ring’s turn to rule atop the action RPG throne.

Article "tagged" as:

Related Article

How to Keep Your Kitten Safe While Playing

How to Keep Your Kitten Safe While Playing

While letting your kitten play and explore is important to its mental development, you need to make sure that what it's playing with is safe.
Kitten Development From 6 to 12 Weeks

Kitten Development From 6 to 12 Weeks

Learn how kittens develop during the first 6 to 12 weeks and what signs of development you need to look out for with these tips.
5 Common Foods In Your Pantry That Are Not Safe For Your Pets

5 Common Foods In Your Pantry That Are Not Safe For Your Pets

One potato chip is not going to hurt your pet, but there are other foods that can. Learn which to avoid and some safe foods that can be used as treats.
Fleas in Dogs

Fleas in Dogs

If a dog scratches, does that mean it has fleas? These biting bugs are no fun for dogs or their owners. Learn the causes, treatment, and prevention.
Can Dogs Eat Papaya? What to Know About Sharing This Tropical Fruit With Your Pup

Can Dogs Eat Papaya? What to Know About Sharing This Tropical Fruit With Your Pup

Papaya is safe for dogs in moderation, and it can even provide some nutritional value for them. However, too much can cause digestive upset, and it's not suitable to share with dogs with certain health conditions.
Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

It's no secret that dogs love cheese, but what kinds of cheese should you avoid? Is Parmesan cheese a good option to treat your pup to?
10 Cat Breeds That Have Blue-Colored Coats

10 Cat Breeds That Have Blue-Colored Coats

Blue cat breeds have a uniquely colored coat that makes them stand out. The eye-catching blue coat often appears light to dark grey.
Sphynx: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Sphynx: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The sphynx cat is a hairless cat breed known for their playful and affectionate nature. These cats do have special needs. Learn about the sphynx cat breed’s appearance, temperament, health, and care.
Border Collie: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Border Collie: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about the border collie, a popular herding breed. They're a smart and energetic dog that's also a great companion to the right pet parent.
Beagle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Beagle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about the beagle, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are known for being a cheerful, comical, loud, and energetic family dog.
How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

Find out how to grow living stones, unique miniature succulents that look like pebbles. This guide covers how to care for living stone plants, including watering them just right to keep them thriving.
How to Grow and Care for a Money Tree Indoors

How to Grow and Care for a Money Tree Indoors

Money trees make beautiful, easy-care houseplants. Use this guide to grow a money tree indoors.
How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard: 11 Must-Know Tips

How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard: 11 Must-Know Tips

These tips on how to attract bluebirds will help you create a welcoming habitat. Discover the best types of foods, birdhouses, water sources, and more for attracting bluebirds.
How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

Learn how to propagate clematis successfully with this step-by-step guide on two different techniques.
How to Plant and Grow Black Chokeberry

How to Plant and Grow Black Chokeberry

Learn how to use and care for this low-maintenance native shrub, including planting tips and the best types of black chokeberry to grow.
This Low-Water Garden Plan Will Look Vibrant Through Droughts

This Low-Water Garden Plan Will Look Vibrant Through Droughts

This low-water garden plan will keep your plants vibrant all throughout the hot, humid summer.
This Woodland Garden Design Overflows with Shade-Loving Plants

This Woodland Garden Design Overflows with Shade-Loving Plants

Easy-care native ferns add luxurious foliage from spring to fall. Other shade-loving perennials complement the soft textures with colorful blooms.
11 Essential Tips for Growing Vegetables from Seed for Beginners

11 Essential Tips for Growing Vegetables from Seed for Beginners

These beginner-friendly tips on growing vegetables from seed will help you successfully kick off your edible garden in spring.
Should You Use Shredded Rubber Mulch in Your Garden?

Should You Use Shredded Rubber Mulch in Your Garden?

Rubber mulch is widely touted as a game changer in landscaping, but does it live up to the hype? Find out the pros and cons of using rubber mulch.
How to Plant and Grow Cattail

How to Plant and Grow Cattail

Learn to care for this easy-growing aquatic plant, including tips for pruning, propagating, and planting.