Was Elden Ring Inspired by Zelda? Exploring the Influences on FromSoftware’s Masterpiece
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The answer is a resounding yes, but with nuance. While Elden Ring is a distinctly FromSoftware experience, steeped in the studio’s signature challenging combat and cryptic lore, the influence of the Zelda series, particularly The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW), is undeniable. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki himself has openly acknowledged the Zelda series as a significant source of inspiration throughout his career, and this influence is visible in Elden Ring’s world design, exploration mechanics, and sense of adventure. The open world of Elden Ring encourages the player to traverse its vast landscape and uncover its many secrets.
The Specific Inspirations
While Elden Ring isn’t a direct copy of any Zelda game, several key aspects point to BotW’s influence:
- Open World Design: Elden Ring, like BotW, features a massive, interconnected open world that players are free to explore from almost the very beginning. This departure from FromSoftware’s more linear level designs in previous titles is a clear nod to the freedom offered by BotW.
- Emphasis on Exploration: Both games prioritize exploration and discovery. In Elden Ring, the world is filled with hidden dungeons, secrets, and optional bosses that reward players for venturing off the beaten path. This echoes BotW’s encouragement of free-form exploration and its many hidden shrines.
- Sense of Scale: Elden Ring captures a similar sense of scale and grandeur as BotW. The vast landscapes, towering structures, and colossal enemies create a world that feels both awe-inspiring and dangerous.
- Indirect Storytelling: Both games employ a more subtle and indirect approach to storytelling, allowing players to piece together the narrative through environmental details, item descriptions, and character interactions.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that Elden Ring builds upon these inspirations in its own unique way. FromSoftware infuses its signature challenging combat, intricate lore, and dark fantasy atmosphere into the open-world formula, creating a distinct experience that sets it apart from BotW.
Beyond Zelda: Other Influences
It’s also important to consider the other influences that shaped Elden Ring. Miyazaki has cited other sources of inspiration such as:
- Shadow of the Colossus: For its sense of scale and epic boss battles.
- The Elder Scrolls Series: For its open-world structure and player freedom.
- The Witcher 3: For its rich world-building and complex characters.
- RuneQuest (Tabletop RPG): As inspiration for the game’s lore.
- The Lord of the Rings: As inspiration for the game’s story.
- The Eternal Champion: As inspiration for the game’s story.
These influences, combined with FromSoftware’s own distinctive style, contribute to the unique identity of Elden Ring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Elden Ring’s Inspirations
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Zelda inspirations of Elden Ring, including other questions regarding the game.
1. Did Tears of the Kingdom copy Elden Ring?
No. According to reports, the Zelda team was primarily focused on developing Tears of the Kingdom and did not have time to play Elden Ring during its development. While they were aware of Elden Ring’s success, it did not directly influence Tears of the Kingdom’s design.
2. What aspects of BotW influenced Elden Ring?
Specifically, Elden Ring took inspiration from BotW in its open world design, emphasis on exploration, and overall sense of freedom in navigating the environment.
3. What other games inspired Hidetaka Miyazaki?
Miyazaki has cited Ico, the early Dragon Quest games, the Legend of Zelda series, and the King’s Field series as direct influences on his games.
4. Does Miyazaki admire the Zelda series?
Yes, Miyazaki is a known admirer of the Zelda series. Many fans have noticed similarities between Souls games and Zelda in terms of exploration, combat, and adventure elements.
5. Is Elden Ring better than Tears of the Kingdom?
Whether Elden Ring is “better” than Tears of the Kingdom is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Elden Ring excels in its challenging combat and intricate world-building, while Tears of the Kingdom offers greater player freedom and innovative traversal mechanics.
6. Is Elden Ring’s story related to Lord of the Rings?
While Elden Ring is not directly based on The Lord of the Rings, it draws inspiration from similar mythological and literary sources, exploring themes of power, authority, and ancient lore.
7. Is Elden Ring based on any specific mythology?
No, Elden Ring is not based on any single mythology. It draws inspiration from various mythological sources and modern fiction, including elements reminiscent of Norse, Greek, and other mythologies.
8. Did Elden Ring get inspiration from Berserk?
Yes, Miyazaki and FromSoftware have consistently drawn inspiration from the Berserk manga in their games, including Elden Ring, incorporating character designs, weapons, and thematic elements.
9. What makes Elden Ring so difficult?
Elden Ring’s difficulty stems from its challenging combat, demanding enemy encounters, and lack of hand-holding. The game requires players to learn enemy patterns, master combat mechanics, and strategically utilize their resources.
10. Is there an Easter egg in Elden Ring?
Yes, Elden Ring contains numerous Easter eggs, including recurring characters like Patches, who serves as a mischievous and manipulative figure throughout the game.
11. Did Elden Ring copy Dark Souls?
While Elden Ring shares some similarities with the Dark Souls series, it features a completely different universe and a plethora of new features that distinguish it from FromSoftware’s previous games.
12. Is Elden Ring easier than Breath of the Wild?
No, Elden Ring is generally considered to be much more difficult than Breath of the Wild. Elden Ring requires a significant time investment and a willingness to overcome challenging combat encounters, whereas BotW is more approachable and forgiving.
13. What are some games like Elden Ring?
Games similar to Elden Ring include other Souls-like titles such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Demon’s Souls. These games share a focus on challenging combat, exploration, and intricate world-building.
14. How do Elden Ring and Zelda: Breath of the Wild compare in terms of difficulty?
While both games have challenging elements, Elden Ring is significantly more difficult than Breath of the Wild. Elden Ring features punishing combat, complex boss encounters, and a higher overall skill requirement, whereas BotW is more forgiving and offers more accessibility options.
15. Who is the most evil character in Elden Ring?
Many consider the Dung Eater to be one of the most evil characters in Elden Ring, due to his horrific actions and disturbing questline. Despite his villainous nature, he is integrated deeply into the gameplay, offering a unique and unsettling experience.
Conclusion
Elden Ring is a testament to the power of inspiration, drawing from a diverse range of sources, including the Zelda series, to create a truly unique and unforgettable gaming experience. While the influence of Breath of the Wild is evident in its open-world design and emphasis on exploration, Elden Ring ultimately forges its own path with its challenging combat, intricate lore, and dark fantasy atmosphere. It’s a game that stands on its own merits while acknowledging the games that came before. For more insight on game design and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.