Why Does Everyone Like Elden Ring? Unraveling the Enigmatic Appeal
Elden Ring’s phenomenal success isn’t a stroke of luck; it’s the culmination of carefully crafted design choices that resonate deeply with a broad audience. At its core, Elden Ring is beloved for its captivating blend of challenging gameplay, vast open world, intriguing lore, and unparalleled freedom of exploration. It’s a game that respects the player’s intelligence, rewards perseverance, and offers a truly unique and immersive experience that few other titles can match. The game masterfully executes on core elements like compelling world-building, player agency, and deeply satisfying character progression. These factors combine to create a potent formula for enjoyment and enduring appeal.
The Allure of Challenge and Reward
FromSoftware’s Signature Difficulty
One of the most discussed aspects of Elden Ring is its difficulty. The game does not hold your hand; it throws you into a dangerous world and expects you to learn and adapt. This can be initially off-putting, but it’s precisely this unforgiving nature that many players find so rewarding. Overcoming a seemingly impossible boss or navigating a treacherous dungeon provides a sense of accomplishment that is rarely found in more forgiving games. The satisfaction comes not just from defeating the enemy but from mastering the mechanics and strategies required to do so.
The “Soulsborne” Legacy
Elden Ring inherits its difficulty from FromSoftware’s previous “Soulsborne” titles (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro). These games established a reputation for challenging combat and intricate level design. Elden Ring takes these elements to a new level by integrating them into a massive open world. This allows players to explore at their own pace, find new challenges, and return to previously difficult areas with improved gear and skills.
A World Worth Exploring
Open-World Freedom
Unlike the linear progression of previous Soulsborne games, Elden Ring offers a truly open world to explore. The Lands Between is a vast and diverse environment filled with hidden dungeons, secret pathways, and memorable encounters. Players are free to roam wherever they please, discovering new areas and challenges at their own pace. This freedom of exploration is a major draw for many players.
A Beautiful but Brutal Landscape
The Lands Between is not only vast but also visually stunning. FromSoftware has created a world that is both beautiful and unsettling, with towering castles, eerie forests, and desolate wastelands. The game’s art direction is exceptional, creating a sense of atmosphere and immersion that is second to none. This compelling world invites players to become completely absorbed in their journey.
Deep Lore and Intriguing Storytelling
George R.R. Martin’s Influence
The world of Elden Ring was created in collaboration with fantasy author George R.R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire. Martin provided the initial lore and world-building for the game, which FromSoftware then expanded upon. This collaboration has resulted in a rich and complex world with a deep history and intriguing characters.
Discovering the Narrative
Elden Ring’s storytelling is not delivered through lengthy cutscenes or expository dialogue. Instead, the story is revealed through item descriptions, environmental details, and encounters with non-player characters (NPCs). This allows players to piece together the narrative for themselves, creating a sense of discovery and investment.
Player Agency and Customization
Creating Your Own Tarnished
Elden Ring offers a robust character creation system that allows players to create their own unique “Tarnished” character. Players can choose from a variety of classes, each with its own starting stats and equipment. However, players are free to develop their character in any direction they choose, allowing for a high degree of customization.
Building Your Own Playstyle
The game also offers a wide variety of weapons, armor, and spells, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences. Whether you prefer to be a heavily armored knight, a nimble rogue, or a powerful mage, Elden Ring has options for everyone. This level of player agency is a key factor in the game’s appeal.
Elden Ring’s enduring popularity also highlights a shift in gaming preferences. Players are increasingly seeking experiences that are both challenging and rewarding, valuing immersion and complex narratives over simple, hand-held gameplay. GamesLearningSociety.org highlights research and insights into how games are evolving and changing player expectations.
Elden Ring FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide additional information about Elden Ring.
1. Is Elden Ring too hard for a casual gamer?
Elden Ring can be challenging, but it is not necessarily too hard for a casual gamer. The open-world structure allows players to explore easier areas and level up before tackling more difficult challenges. Summoning other players for co-op also makes the game significantly easier.
2. Is Elden Ring worth it if you’ve never played Dark Souls?
Yes, Elden Ring is absolutely worth playing even if you’ve never played Dark Souls. While experience with previous FromSoftware games can be helpful, Elden Ring is designed to be accessible to new players. The open world provides more flexibility and options for overcoming challenges.
3. Why was Elden Ring so much more popular than Dark Souls?
Elden Ring’s popularity can be attributed to several factors, including its open-world structure, collaboration with George R.R. Martin, and improved accessibility compared to previous Soulsborne games. The open world, in particular, broadened its appeal by offering a less linear and more exploratory experience.
4. What percent of gamers beat Elden Ring?
Approximately 50% of players have completed Elden Ring at least once, according to achievement data. This is a significantly higher completion rate than many other AAA games, including previous FromSoftware titles.
5. Why did people stop playing Elden Ring?
While Elden Ring was a massive success, some players eventually stopped playing due to factors such as the combat balance issues related to the open world’s scope, a shift towards other games after the initial hype, or simply completing all the content they were interested in.
6. How long does it take to 100% Elden Ring?
Completing Elden Ring to 100% typically takes around 133 hours. This includes completing all the main quests, side quests, and optional bosses.
7. What percent of people have 100% Elden Ring?
Around 7.9% of players have achieved 100% completion in Elden Ring, earning the Platinum trophy on PlayStation.
8. Is Elden Ring the largest game ever?
While Elden Ring’s map is large, at 30.5 square miles, it is not the largest game ever. However, its density of content and secrets makes it feel incredibly expansive.
9. Can an average player enjoy Elden Ring?
Yes, an average player can definitely enjoy Elden Ring. While the game is challenging, it is also rewarding and offers a sense of accomplishment. The key is perseverance and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.
10. What is the highest point in Elden Ring?
The highest point in Elden Ring is the Erdtree, which reaches a height of 4,454 meters (14,606 feet) from ground level.
11. What is the most noob-friendly class in Elden Ring?
The Vagabond is often considered the most noob-friendly class in Elden Ring due to its high starting health, strong armor, and simple weapon. It is a great class for learning the game’s basics. The Prisoner is also a good choice as it is one of the two classes geared towards sorcery.
12. How hard is Elden Ring for a noob?
Elden Ring can be difficult for a noob, but the game provides ample opportunities to learn and improve. The Cave of Knowledge serves as a tutorial, and the open world allows players to explore easier areas and level up before tackling tougher challenges.
13. Has anyone ever beaten the first boss in Elden Ring?
Yes, many players have beaten the Grafted Scion, the first boss in Elden Ring. While the game initially presents it as an unbeatable encounter, skilled players can defeat it.
14. Why is Elden Ring so hard?
Elden Ring is considered hard due to its unforgiving combat, challenging boss fights, and lack of hand-holding. Enemies can deal significant damage, and players must learn their attack patterns to succeed. However, this difficulty is also what makes the game so rewarding.
15. What makes Elden Ring successful?
Elden Ring’s success stems from its unique combination of challenging gameplay, vast open world, intriguing lore, and unparalleled freedom of exploration. The game respects the player’s intelligence, rewards perseverance, and offers a truly immersive experience that few other titles can match.
In conclusion, Elden Ring’s widespread appeal lies in its unique blend of challenge, freedom, and depth. It’s a game that rewards exploration, perseverance, and creativity, offering an experience that is both challenging and deeply satisfying. The game’s success speaks to a growing desire for games that respect player agency and offer truly immersive and rewarding experiences. As Games Learning Society explores, understanding these elements provides valuable insight into the future of game design and the evolving preferences of players.