Elden Ring beyond a masterpiece. Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has not taken comparisons of those games to The Legend of Zelda series with much joy.
“I feel deeply unworthy of the comparison,” Miyazaki has said, calling the early Zelda games “monumental” works. But it is hard not to see the Zelda series’ influence, particularly the groundbreaking open-world adventure The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, on his company From Software’s new game, Elden Ring.
Thanks to the latest release of Nintendo’s Zelda game, it seems From Software had a powerful and overwhelmingly positive impact on the style of their beloved action-RPG games. Elden Ring is a breathtaking adventure of incredible visuals and depth, blending its style of complex and challenging combat while exploring and discovering a massive world; whilst the player’s freedom acquires a new meaning all together.
The Game of Thrones books are hugely popular and the fans really want next to come out. George R.R. Martin is spending most of his time on side projects though, which is frustrating for all the readers.
After playing Elden Ring—the latest video game that Martin helped write—those fans should reconsider all preconceived notions. After this monumental effort, Martin should consider making more “side projects.”
Elden Ring, made by the Japanese developer From Software Inc., is one of the best titles ever released. It crosses the punishing, addictive action of From’s previous titles like Dark Souls and Sekiro with the blissful exploration of Nintendo Co.’s the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This immersive new world will transport you to a new state of mind that will permeate your real world, with the languishing desire never to let go.
It’s been a long time coming. Elden Ring, which was first announced back in 2019, is the most recent collaboration between From Software and director Hidetaka Maki. The game was then revealed to be in development when both parties went quiet again before reemerging with a new marketing blitz at this year’s TGS.
Trailers for the game have received tens of millions of YouTube views, and it was nominated for both ‘most anticipated game’ awards in 2020 and 2021. Fans have been frothing at the idea of a game that combines the story chops of Martin with the design of From Software, widely considered to be one of the best game makers today.
From Software has been operating since 1986 but didn’t draw much global attention until 2011 with the hit fantasy action game Dark Souls, which became beloved for its brilliant level design and challenging gameplay. Players appreciated that the game respected their intelligence and refused to hold their hand. Follow-ups included two sequels and Bloodborne, a similarly crafted game set in an H.P. Lovecraft-inspired gothic world. All are among the highest-rated games ever.
Japan-based Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., which will publish Elden Ring, is hoping it will be From’s biggest success yet. The developer’s last game, Sekiro, sold more than five million copies while the Dark Souls series has exceeded 27 million.
It starts with the Tree Sentinel. This meaty, golden warrior sitting astride a powerful steed is the first thing you encounter in Elden Ring’s vast fantasy world, the Lands Between. He’s nigh-impossible to defeat in your weak starting state. But just behind him is a church in which to find refuge and supplies, and a bit farther, a castle to explore. Around you are woods with abundant natural resources, with which you can craft curative items. Elden Ring communicates quickly that your means of survival require exploration, learning, growth, and returning to face challenges, like the Tree Sentinel, when you’re physically and mentally ready for them.
