Is Elden Ring Worth It in 2023? A Deep Dive for Tarnished and Newcomers Alike
The Lands Between beckon, but the question remains: Is Elden Ring worth playing in 2023? The resounding answer is a resounding YES! Even well after its initial release, Elden Ring remains a monumental achievement in game design, offering an unparalleled blend of exploration, challenge, and sheer freedom. Its impact on the gaming landscape is undeniable, and the sheer depth of content, coupled with the anticipation surrounding the upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, makes it a must-play for anyone even remotely interested in the action RPG genre. Whether you’re a seasoned Soulsborne veteran or a curious newcomer, Elden Ring offers an experience unlike any other, rewarding patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. It’s not just a game; it’s an adventure, a journey of self-discovery in a world teeming with secrets and dangers.
Why Elden Ring Still Shines in 2023
Elden Ring’s brilliance lies in its masterful execution of several key elements:
- Open-World Exploration: The Lands Between is a vast and breathtaking open world, meticulously crafted with secrets around every corner. Unlike many open-world games that feel like checklist exercises, Elden Ring’s world feels genuinely alive, filled with intriguing locations, challenging encounters, and meaningful discoveries.
- Challenging but Rewarding Combat: The combat system is demanding but fair, requiring precise timing, strategic thinking, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Victory feels earned, and each boss conquered is a testament to your perseverance.
- Deep Customization: Elden Ring offers incredible character customization options. From choosing your starting class to allocating stats and equipping a diverse array of weapons, armor, and spells, you can tailor your character to your preferred playstyle.
- Compelling Lore and Worldbuilding: The world of Elden Ring is steeped in rich lore and captivating mythology. Every character, every location, and every item has a story to tell, inviting you to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Lands Between.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Overcoming Elden Ring’s challenges provides a unique sense of accomplishment. It’s a game that demands patience and skill, and the reward for your efforts is a truly satisfying and unforgettable experience.
Considering the Difficulty
One of the most common concerns about Elden Ring is its difficulty. It’s true that the game can be challenging, especially for newcomers to the Soulsborne genre. However, Elden Ring is arguably the most accessible FromSoftware title to date, with several features that make it more approachable:
- Open-World Freedom: Unlike previous FromSoftware games, Elden Ring allows you to explore the world and tackle challenges at your own pace. If you’re struggling with a particular boss, you can simply go explore another area, level up your character, and return later.
- Spirit Ashes: Spirit Ashes are summonable allies that can assist you in combat. These powerful companions can significantly ease the difficulty of challenging encounters, providing valuable support and drawing enemy aggro.
- Variety of Builds: Elden Ring offers a vast array of character builds, allowing you to experiment with different playstyles and find one that suits your preferences. Whether you prefer melee combat, magic, or a hybrid approach, there’s a build for you.
- Cooperative Multiplayer: Elden Ring supports cooperative multiplayer, allowing you to team up with other players to tackle challenges together. This can make the game significantly easier, especially for difficult bosses.
The Anticipation for Shadow of the Erdtree
The upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, adds another layer of excitement to Elden Ring in 2023. While the release date is still unconfirmed, the anticipation surrounding the DLC is palpable. It promises to expand the world of Elden Ring with new areas, enemies, bosses, and lore, offering even more content for players to explore and conquer. The success of previous FromSoftware DLCs suggests that Shadow of the Erdtree will be a substantial and high-quality addition to the game, making it an even more worthwhile investment. The impact that games have on learning, behavior, and society is important and worth studying which is one goal of the Games Learning Society. More information can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
It’s important to address some common concerns and misconceptions about Elden Ring:
- “It’s too hard for me”: While Elden Ring is challenging, it’s not insurmountable. The game offers numerous tools and strategies to help players overcome obstacles, and with persistence and a willingness to learn, anyone can complete it.
- “It’s just repetitive combat”: Elden Ring’s combat is far from repetitive. The game features a vast array of weapons, armor, and spells, each with its own unique moveset and playstyle. Experimentation is key to mastering the combat system.
- “It’s just a rehash of Dark Souls”: While Elden Ring shares some similarities with the Dark Souls series, it’s a distinct and unique game with its own identity. The open-world design, the Spirit Ashes system, and the focus on exploration set it apart from previous FromSoftware titles.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
Elden Ring remains a phenomenal game in 2023, offering an unparalleled blend of exploration, challenge, and freedom. Its depth of content, coupled with the anticipation surrounding the upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, makes it a must-play for anyone interested in the action RPG genre. If you’re willing to embrace the challenge and immerse yourself in the world of the Lands Between, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. The game has so much content that it will take you a very long time to complete it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Elden Ring getting DLC in 2023?
While the release date of Shadow of the Erdtree is still unconfirmed, it’s highly unlikely to release in 2023. FromSoftware typically employs a back-loaded marketing strategy, revealing details closer to the launch date. We should expect news and potentially a release in 2024.
Is Elden Ring too hard for a casual gamer?
Elden Ring can be challenging, but it’s more accessible than previous Soulsborne titles. The open world, Spirit Ashes, and co-op multiplayer make it more approachable for casual gamers. It requires patience and a willingness to learn.
Is Elden Ring worth getting into if I’ve never played a Souls game?
Yes, Elden Ring is a great entry point into the Soulsborne genre. Its open world and numerous accessibility features make it more forgiving than previous games. However, be prepared for a learning curve and some initial frustration.
Is Elden Ring as good as Skyrim?
While both are excellent open-world RPGs, they offer different experiences. Elden Ring excels in combat, world design, and challenge, while Skyrim excels in player freedom and role-playing. It depends on your personal preferences.
Is Elden Ring harder than Dark Souls?
Overall, Elden Ring is arguably easier than some Dark Souls games due to the open world and Spirit Ashes. However, some individual bosses in Elden Ring are incredibly challenging and may surpass the difficulty of those in the Dark Souls series.
What is the most noob-friendly class in Elden Ring?
The Vagabond and Astrologer are often recommended for beginners. The Vagabond starts with strong armor and a reliable weapon, while the Astrologer excels in ranged combat with powerful spells. Prisoner is also a decent choice.
How hard is Elden Ring for a complete noob?
Elden Ring can be difficult for complete newcomers, but the tutorial area (Cave of Knowledge) teaches the basics of combat. The open world allows you to explore and level up before tackling challenging areas.
Does Elden Ring ever get easier?
Yes, Elden Ring becomes easier as you progress and level up your character. Collecting runes and items allows you to improve your stats, weapons, and spells, making you more powerful and resilient.
How many bosses are in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring features a staggering number of boss encounters, with approximately 238 different bosses to find and defeat. This vast roster of enemies ensures a constant stream of challenging and rewarding encounters throughout the game.
How long does it take to beat Elden Ring?
The average Elden Ring playthrough takes around 50-90 hours for the main story. Completionists can expect to spend around 133 hours or more to see everything the game has to offer.
Will Elden Ring DLC be free?
While Elden Ring has received free DLC in the form of updates (such as the Colosseum update), major content expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree will be paid DLC. Free updates generally add new features or tweaks without significant new story content.
What percentage of people actually finished Elden Ring?
Approximately 50% of Elden Ring players have completed the game at least once. This is a surprisingly high completion rate compared to other AAA games and even previous FromSoftware titles, indicating that the game’s difficulty is manageable for a large portion of players.
What is the maximum number of players in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring supports cooperative multiplayer with up to four players. You can summon other players into your game using an item called the Furlcalling Finger Remedy to tackle challenging areas and bosses together.
What are some tips for beginners playing Elden Ring?
Focus on leveling Vigor early on to increase your health. Explore the world thoroughly to find valuable items and upgrade materials. Don’t be afraid to use Spirit Ashes and summon other players for help. Experiment with different weapons and builds to find one that suits your playstyle. Don’t fight the Tree Sentinel right away.
Which is easier: Demon’s Souls or Elden Ring?
Elden Ring is generally considered to be easier than Demon’s Souls. Elden Ring offers more tools and options for players to overcome challenges, while Demon’s Souls is known for its unforgiving difficulty and limited resources. However, Dark Souls 2 may be harder than both.