Is Elden Ring Worth Replaying? A Tarnished Guide to Second Journeys
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Unequivocally, yes, Elden Ring is absolutely worth replaying. FromSoftware’s open-world epic offers a staggering amount of content that simply cannot be experienced in a single playthrough. The sheer breadth of builds, branching storylines, hidden areas, and multiple endings ensures that each journey through the Lands Between feels unique. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking to optimize your build or a newcomer eager to explore what you missed, Elden Ring’s replayability is a core strength of the game.
Why Dive Back Into The Lands Between?
Elden Ring’s appeal extends far beyond its initial difficulty. The game encourages experimentation and rewards curiosity. A second playthrough allows players to:
- Experience different builds: Transform your mage into a melee powerhouse, or your dexterity build into an incantation-slinging prophet. The freedom to respec your character allows for dramatic shifts in playstyle.
- Uncover hidden secrets: The Lands Between are filled with secrets, from hidden dungeons to elusive NPCs. A second playthrough allows you to explore areas you might have missed and uncover new lore.
- Pursue alternative endings: Elden Ring boasts multiple endings, each with its own unique narrative implications. Replaying the game allows you to witness the different fates that can befall the Lands Between.
- Tackle challenges with new knowledge: Armed with the experience of your first playthrough, you can approach challenges with a more strategic mindset, optimizing your build and mastering combat mechanics.
- Complete missed questlines: Many of Elden Ring’s questlines are easily missed or failed. A second playthrough provides an opportunity to see these stories through to their conclusion.
- Engage in New Game Plus (NG+): Elden Ring’s NG+ mode allows you to carry over your character’s stats and equipment into a new game, facing tougher enemies and experiencing the story with a significant power advantage initially.
The New Game Plus Factor
Elden Ring’s New Game Plus (NG+) system provides a tangible incentive for replaying the game. It’s not just about re-experiencing the same content; it’s about facing a heightened challenge while wielding a character honed by their previous journey. Here’s what you can expect in NG+:
- Increased Difficulty: Enemies deal more damage and have higher health, presenting a greater challenge even for experienced players.
- Retained Progress: Your character’s level, stats, equipment, spells, and items (excluding key items) are carried over.
- Opportunity for Completion: NG+ allows you to pursue endings, quests, and areas you may have missed in your first playthrough.
- Acquisition of Larval Tears: These are necessary to respec your character.
- More Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones: In addition to the regular Smithing Stones, these items will let you upgrade more weapons to their highest level!
Exploring New Builds and Playstyles
One of the most compelling reasons to replay Elden Ring is the opportunity to experiment with different builds. The game offers a vast array of weapons, armor, spells, and incantations, allowing for countless character customization options.
Consider these build ideas for your next playthrough:
- Faith Build: Focus on incantations for healing, buffs, and offensive magic.
- Intelligence Build: Master powerful sorceries and control the battlefield with ranged attacks.
- Strength Build: Wield colossal weapons and crush your enemies with brute force.
- Dexterity Build: Embrace speed and agility with katanas, twinblades, or whips.
- Arcane Build: Unleash unique abilities tied to Arcane, like bloodflame and dragon incantations.
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) studies how these complex systems can be applied in education. Elden Ring is a fantastic example of complex game systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Replaying Elden Ring
1. Is Elden Ring easier on a second playthrough?
Yes and no. Initially, your character will be significantly more powerful than the enemies you encounter in the early game. However, the difficulty scales up as you progress through NG+, and the later bosses will present a formidable challenge.
2. How much harder is Elden Ring NG+?
The difficulty increase in NG+ is significant, with enemies dealing approximately 40-60% more damage and having increased health. The difficulty continues to increase with each subsequent NG+ cycle, capping at NG+7.
3. What carries over to NG+ in Elden Ring?
Your character’s level, stats, equipment (weapons, armor, talismans), spells, incantations, and most items (excluding key items like Great Runes) are carried over to NG+. You’ll also retain your map progress and discovered Sites of Grace.
4. What doesn’t carry over to NG+ in Elden Ring?
Key items such as Great Runes, bell bearings, story-related items, and map fragments do not carry over to NG+. You’ll need to collect these items again in NG+.
5. Should I respec my character before starting NG+?
Respeccing your character before starting NG+ is a good idea if you want to try a different build or optimize your stats for the increased difficulty. You can use Larval Tears to respec at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.
6. What is the best level to stop leveling in Elden Ring for PvP?
The generally accepted “meta level” for PvP in Elden Ring is between level 125 and level 150. Leveling beyond this range may limit your ability to match with other players for PvP.
7. How many endings are there in Elden Ring?
There are six primary endings in Elden Ring, with variations within some of them. Each ending offers a different perspective on the fate of the Lands Between.
8. Which Elden Ring ending is the best?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. However, many players consider the “Age of Stars” ending to be the most narratively satisfying, as it involves replacing Marika with Ranni as a new deity.
9. How long does it take to beat Elden Ring?
The average playthrough of Elden Ring takes around 50-90 hours when focusing on the main objectives. Completionists can expect to spend 130 hours or more to fully explore the game and obtain all endings.
10. Is Elden Ring still worth playing in 2024?
Absolutely. Elden Ring remains a masterpiece of open-world action RPGs, with its vast world, challenging combat, and rich lore continuing to captivate players.
11. What is the max level in Elden Ring?
The maximum level in Elden Ring is 713. Reaching this level requires an astronomical amount of runes.
12. Is Elden Ring a frustrating game?
Elden Ring can be challenging and frustrating at times, especially for new players. However, overcoming these challenges is part of the game’s appeal and provides a sense of accomplishment.
13. What are some fun builds to try in Elden Ring?
Some popular and fun builds include:
- Dragon Communion Build: A build focused on dragon incantations.
- Blood Loss Build: A build focused on inflicting rapid blood loss.
- Faith/Strength Build: A build combining the power of incantations with the strength of heavy weapons.
14. Does Elden Ring get harder with each playthrough?
Yes, Elden Ring’s difficulty increases with each NG+ cycle, up to NG+7. After NG+7, the difficulty remains the same.
15. What should I do after beating Elden Ring?
After beating Elden Ring, you can:
- Start a New Game Plus run.
- Try for a different ending.
- Collect all the achievements or trophies.
- Experiment with different builds.
- Engage in PvP combat.
Final Verdict: Embrace the Journey Again
Elden Ring is more than just a game; it’s an experience. Its replay value stems from its expansive world, diverse gameplay options, and compelling narrative. Whether you’re seeking a new challenge, a chance to explore hidden secrets, or simply an opportunity to revisit the Lands Between, Elden Ring offers a rewarding and unforgettable second journey. So, Tarnished, pick up your sword, don your armor, and prepare to become Elden Lord once more.