Elden Ring: RPG or Action Game? Untangling the Genre

The question of whether Elden Ring is an RPG or an action game is one that sparks debate among gamers. The most accurate answer is: Elden Ring is an action RPG. It skillfully blends the core mechanics of action games – emphasizing real-time combat, player skill, and direct control – with the character progression, narrative depth, and world-building hallmarks of the role-playing genre. This fusion creates a unique experience that appeals to fans of both genres, while also pushing the boundaries of what each genre can be.

Understanding the Genre Blend

To understand why Elden Ring defies easy categorization, it’s crucial to examine the key characteristics of both action games and RPGs, and how they manifest in FromSoftware’s masterpiece.

Core Elements of Action Games

Action games typically prioritize:

• Real-time Combat: Players directly control their character’s movements and attacks, relying on reflexes, timing, and strategic positioning.
• Skill-Based Gameplay: Mastery comes from learning enemy attack patterns, exploiting weaknesses, and executing precise maneuvers.
• Immediate Feedback: Actions have immediate consequences, fostering a sense of responsiveness and direct control.
• Focus on Mechanics: The game’s core mechanics, such as movement, combat, and platforming, are central to the experience.

Defining Characteristics of RPGs

RPGs, on the other hand, often emphasize:

• Character Customization: Players can tailor their character’s attributes, skills, and equipment to create a unique build.
• Meaningful Choices: Decisions made by the player impact the story, character relationships, and the world around them.
• Narrative Depth: Rich lore, compelling characters, and intricate storylines are integral to the experience.
• World Exploration: Discovering secrets, uncovering hidden locations, and interacting with a vast and detailed world are key elements.
• Progression Systems: Leveling up, acquiring new abilities, and improving equipment are central to the player’s journey.

Elden Ring: A Symbiotic Relationship

Elden Ring masterfully integrates these elements, creating a symbiotic relationship between action and RPG mechanics. The combat is undeniably action-oriented, demanding precision, timing, and a deep understanding of enemy behavior. However, your character’s attributes, equipment, and chosen playstyle significantly influence your effectiveness in combat. A mage build will approach encounters very differently than a strength-focused warrior, and the gear they equip will drastically alter their capabilities.

Furthermore, the expansive world of The Lands Between invites exploration and discovery, rewarding players with new weapons, spells, and lore fragments that enrich the narrative and deepen the role-playing experience. The choices you make, from the paths you take to the allegiances you forge, shape your character’s journey and ultimately determine the fate of the Elden Ring. You can learn more about gaming and its various mechanics and impact from resources such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

The FromSoftware DNA

It’s also important to acknowledge FromSoftware’s unique approach to game design. Their previous titles, such as the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, have all blurred the lines between action and RPG, establishing a distinct “Souls-like” genre characterized by:

• Challenging Difficulty: High risk, high reward gameplay that demands patience, perseverance, and strategic thinking.
• Obscure Lore: Storytelling that relies on environmental details, item descriptions, and cryptic dialogue to build a rich and immersive world.
• Atmospheric Environments: Bleak, haunting, and meticulously crafted landscapes that evoke a sense of mystery and danger.
• Punishing Death Mechanics: Death is a learning experience, forcing players to adapt and improve their strategies.

Elden Ring builds upon these foundations, expanding the open world and increasing the scope of character customization, while retaining the core elements that define the “Souls-like” experience.

The “RPGness” of Elden Ring

While Elden Ring undoubtedly features robust action combat, its depth of character building, narrative exploration, and player agency firmly cement its place as an action RPG. It encourages players to truly inhabit their characters, make meaningful choices, and forge their own unique path through a challenging and unforgiving world. It isn’t simply about slashing through enemies; it’s about defining your role within the world of the game and living out that role through your actions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Elden Ring truly open world?

Yes, Elden Ring features a vast and interconnected open world that players are free to explore at their own pace. While some areas may be more challenging than others, the game encourages exploration and discovery.

2. How difficult is Elden Ring compared to other FromSoftware games?

Elden Ring maintains the challenging difficulty that FromSoftware games are known for, but the open world structure and greater variety of character builds offer more options for overcoming obstacles. Some players may find it slightly more accessible than previous titles, while others may find the open world to increase the difficulty due to the vast distances and variety of encounters.

3. What makes a game an Action RPG?

An Action RPG blends the real-time combat of action games with the character progression, narrative depth, and world-building elements of role-playing games. This fusion creates a unique and engaging experience that appeals to fans of both genres.

4. Can you play Elden Ring with friends?

Yes, Elden Ring supports cooperative multiplayer, allowing players to summon friends to assist with challenging areas and bosses. It also features player-versus-player (PvP) invasions, adding an element of risk and excitement to the open world.

5. Is there a story in Elden Ring, or is it mostly combat?

While Elden Ring features a strong emphasis on combat, it also boasts a rich and intricate storyline that players can uncover through exploration, dialogue, and item descriptions. The lore is deep and rewarding for those who take the time to delve into it.

6. How long does it take to beat Elden Ring?

The length of Elden Ring varies depending on playstyle. A playthrough focusing on the main objectives can take around 60 hours, while a completionist run exploring all the game’s content can easily exceed 100 hours.

7. What is the best class to start with in Elden Ring?

The “best” class depends on individual playstyle. The Astrologer is a strong choice for magic users, while the Vagabond offers a more balanced starting point for melee builds. Experimenting with different classes is encouraged.

8. Is Elden Ring clunky like other Souls games?

While Elden Ring retains the deliberate and weighty combat style of previous FromSoftware games, it also introduces new mechanics and improvements that make the experience feel more fluid and responsive. Whether or not it feels “clunky” is subjective and depends on individual preferences.

9. What are the most common enemy types in Elden Ring?

Elden Ring features a wide variety of enemies, ranging from common soldiers and beasts to formidable bosses and mythical creatures. Some of the most challenging enemies include Ancestral Archers, Abductor Virgins, and Knights. Even seemingly simple enemies like Rats and Dogs can pose a threat.

10. What is the main goal in Elden Ring?

The main objective in Elden Ring is to gather the Great Runes, mend the Elden Ring, and become the Elden Lord. However, the game offers plenty of freedom and flexibility, allowing players to pursue their own goals and explore the world at their own pace.

11. Is Elden Ring a dark fantasy game?

Yes, Elden Ring is set in a dark and unforgiving world filled with danger and despair. The game explores themes of corruption, decay, and the struggle for power, making it a prime example of the dark fantasy genre.

12. How does Elden Ring differ from previous Souls-like games?

Elden Ring’s key difference from previous Souls-like games is its expansive open world, which offers greater freedom of exploration and more opportunities for discovery. It also introduces new mechanics such as horseback riding and crafting.

13. Is Elden Ring accessible to newcomers to the genre?

While Elden Ring is challenging, its open world structure and greater variety of character builds can make it more accessible to newcomers than previous FromSoftware games. However, players should be prepared for a steep learning curve and a high degree of difficulty.

14. Can you respec your character in Elden Ring?

Yes, players can respec their character’s attributes in Elden Ring by finding and using Larval Tears. This allows for experimentation with different builds and playstyles.

15. What are some tips for succeeding in Elden Ring?

Some helpful tips for succeeding in Elden Ring include: exploring thoroughly, learning enemy attack patterns, mastering the combat mechanics, utilizing summons and cooperative multiplayer, and not being afraid to die and learn from your mistakes. Perseverance is key!