Elden Ring

As an avid souls fan this was everything I wanted it to be. I got the pre order yesterday and have enjoyed everything I have played so far. No glitches or problems and the download time was really quick.

The game kind of blends the gameplay of Sekiro and dark souls together giving you much more freedom to experiment as well as all kinds of stealth and jumping mechanics. Luckily there is no posture or anything as I don't like that system from Sekiro personally.

Sekiro was a great game but I prefer the non linear story and more experimental gameplay (more weapons, armour, magic builds, dexterity builds, ect) of the other games in the series, as well as the excellent character customisation.

Even though I have only played around 5-6 hours it it is already one of the best open world games in my opinion with such a detailed and explorative world full of so many interesting locations and creatures. There are all kinds of new features and details that almost make the older games obsolete and made me ask why they didn't add that before.

In the previous games when you hit a difficult boss you were locked into beating them to continue. Due to elden rings open world design however you can easily come back to a boss after exploring and upgrading your character. You could do this in the older games but had to face the boss eventually, in elden ring there is so much side content and other areas to explore you can almost ignore the main story entirely and complete it at your own leasure.

The game does a great job of giving you enough freedom to explore and not give you a direct path whilst still having a set goal to get to. You have a marker and map, but they are so well utilised it doesn't affect the game at all. It also does a fantastic job at introducing the souls gameplay to new players, with an actual tutorial at the beginning. It is not in your face and is an optional part of the starting area.

There is one flaw in my opinion, the open world is so expasive that progression is more difficult than the other games in my opinion. After playing for a decent amount of time I still only have my starting weapon. There are weapons available from stores and such but none from enemies or ones you find, which is the best way to get them usually in other souls games.

This is not a big problem as it is more of a personal thing. I just love exploring the world anyway and I'm sure there are many weapons available.

In short ths game is just fantastic and does not disappoint at all. Easily recommend to any souls fan and anyone in general. Probably the best place to start the series as the game kind of encapsulates everything great about it. I already want to get back to and explore the game, just so glad it is as great as it is.

*First time souls player that always plays RPGs on easy easy mode FYI*

When you first get into the world, you are surrounded by beauty and will be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the world... and the danger at every corner. There is so much variety in this game. I recommend you avoid spoilers for bosses/areas as best you can, each new area is jaw dropping, and the deeper into the game you get, the better it becomes.

You start in Limgrave, a large and beautiful area. The first part of the game leading up to the first big boss is a fantastic introduction to the mechanics and cycle of frustration/elation that Elden Ring is. Virtually everywhere you look, you can go, and that can be daunting or exciting depending on the player. But exploring everything is so worth it. After moving on from the first two area's/bosses, you will start to see the curtains pulled on the truly next-level moments and environments the game has to offer.

You will love the sense of adventure, character building, and challenge that the beginning of the game offers, but prepare yourself for the bar to be continually raised as you get deeper into the game with SIGNIFICANTLY cooler areas, bosses, and story paths to take as you go on.

I've played nearly 50 hours in less than 2 weeks, something no other game has even come close to moving me to do. I could praise the combat, the character customization, the lore you pick up in pieces, but for me what makes Elden Ring so incredible is the landscapes you find yourselves in, the feeling of discovering something magical, and the unlimited potential to go anywhere, do anything, and find your own unique experience.

For a spoiler free journey, I recommend starting off with a youtube guide on what to do as a beginner, then after defeating each main boss (where cutscenes play), look up spoiler free suggestions at what to do after *insert boss name* so you don't get overwhelmed by choice, and have an idea of what areas will not be soul crushing based on your level. Check out "getcheddar" on youtube when you are looking for these hints.

This game borders on being too much. Too many weapons, too many areas, too many items... too many secrets. But the reality is that is it all done to near perfection. Everything from the traversal to the settings to the lore; it's basically perfect. The one thing that stands out the most are the side quests. Just when I thought Ranni's quest was the best side quest ever created, I find myself totally captivated with Fia's quest. The other thing is that you can basically play however you want and it is all enjoyable: mage build, tank build etc. It is hard to imagine another video ever coming close to reaching the standard that this masterpiece has set. Just make sure to clear your calendar.

Elden Ring doesn't just meet expectations - it obliterates them. FromSoftware took the brutal beauty of the Souls formula and stretched it across a vast, awe-inspiring world, creating an experience so rich, mysterious, and rewarding that it feels like a genre-defining moment - not just for action RPGs, but for open-world games as a whole.

This isn't just another fantasy game. Elden Ring is mythology in motion. Every ruin, every foggy hill, every grotesque boss feels like it was born from some forgotten legend. The Lands Between are hauntingly gorgeous and utterly alive - not with quest markers or handholding, but with discovery. Exploration isn't encouraged. It's essential. And more importantly - it's earned.

Combat is fluid, versatile, and punishing in the best ways. Whether you're a strength brute with a colossal sword or a nimble spell-slinger melting enemies from afar, the game supports your playstyle while demanding respect. Each boss is a dance - monstrous, terrifying, beautiful - and victory is ecstatic.

The storytelling is cryptic but profound. George R. R. Martin's touch is felt in the lore, but it's Hidetaka Miyazaki's vision that shines: quiet despair, faded glory, and the strange hope that maybe, just maybe, you can shape the world.

And let's be clear - this isn't just Dark Souls 4. It's more.

More freedom.

More scale.

More soul.

A monumental achievement that surpasses its own ambitions.

Elden Ring isn't just a game.

It's a legend whispered through mist and fire - and you get to write the ending.

Elden Ring has quickly become 2022's greatest pop-cultural phenomenon; in these unpredictable times it's games like this (let alone immersive narrative experiences) that give us new appreciation for fantasy storytelling as a whole.

Elden Ring has everything: horseback travel, fast-travel, interesting characters encouraging you to keep digging into the world to know more about its history, punchy swordplay, scale and scope to remember, and boss-battles that leave you feeling extra fulfilled when you've won after God-knows-how-many-attempts. The fantasy genre has always been ripe for video games to explore thanks to their emphasis on exploration and overcoming challenges, and Elden Ring feels like it's a summation of everything JRR Tolkien, George RR Martin (obviously), Zelda, Skyrim and the Souls games (Bloodborne too) to make up an experience that's something else.

This is an example of gaming and storytelling coming hand-in-hand where the progression of the player progresses the story in turn. Elden Ring is challenging yet rewarding, expansive yet not too overwhelming in its scope, hard yet adaptable, and fun yet immersive that the world ceases to be fake in the eyes (and minds) of the player.

Elden Ring gets 5/5 stars. It's a great time to be had for gamers everywhere.