Why Is Elden Ring So Highly Rated?
Elden Ring’s overwhelmingly positive reception stems from a potent combination of factors that resonate deeply with players: a vast and meticulously crafted open world, challenging but rewarding gameplay, a deep and mysterious lore, unparalleled freedom of character customization and playstyle, and a sense of genuine player agency. It transcends the typical open-world formula by eschewing hand-holding and instead encouraging exploration, experimentation, and discovery. This creates a uniquely personal and memorable experience that few games can match. The challenging combat, inherited from the Dark Souls lineage, provides a constant sense of accomplishment, while the intricate world and intriguing narrative reward curiosity and dedication. This combination results in a game that is both incredibly difficult and incredibly satisfying, leading to widespread acclaim and a devoted player base.
A World Unlike Any Other
Unprecedented Scale and Scope
Elden Ring doesn’t just offer a big map; it presents an enormous, interconnected world brimming with secrets, hidden dungeons, challenging bosses, and breathtaking vistas. The sheer scale is initially overwhelming, but this feeling quickly transforms into a sense of wonder as players realize the depth of possibilities available to them. FromSoftware masterfully avoids the pitfalls of many open-world games by filling its world with meaningful content at every turn. A seemingly innocuous path can lead to a hidden cave housing a powerful weapon, a challenging boss fight, or a crucial piece of lore.
Exploration Without Hand-Holding
One of Elden Ring’s most defining features is its deliberate lack of hand-holding. The game provides minimal direction, encouraging players to forge their own paths and discover its secrets organically. This approach can be daunting at first, but it ultimately leads to a more rewarding and immersive experience. Players are forced to pay attention to their surroundings, experiment with different strategies, and learn from their mistakes. This sense of discovery is a key component of Elden Ring’s appeal.
The Soulslike Core
Challenging But Fair Combat
Elden Ring inherits the demanding combat system that defines the “Soulslike” genre. Battles are deliberate and strategic, requiring players to learn enemy attack patterns, manage their stamina, and time their dodges and attacks precisely. While challenging, the combat is also remarkably fair. Every death is a learning opportunity, and with each attempt, players become more skilled and knowledgeable. This sense of progression is incredibly satisfying and keeps players engaged even in the face of adversity.
Rewarding Character Progression
Elden Ring offers a vast array of character customization options, allowing players to tailor their build to their preferred playstyle. From powerful melee builds to intricate magic-based characters, the possibilities are virtually endless. Experimenting with different weapons, armor, and spells is a core part of the Elden Ring experience, and finding the perfect build for a particular challenge is incredibly rewarding. This depth of customization ensures that every player’s experience is unique and personalized.
Unraveling the Lore
A Rich and Mysterious Narrative
Elden Ring’s narrative is deliberately fragmented and cryptic, encouraging players to piece together the story through exploration, item descriptions, and character interactions. This approach creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps players constantly engaged in uncovering the secrets of the Lands Between. The lore is deeply rich and complex, filled with compelling characters, tragic backstories, and intriguing political machinations.
Player Agency and Choice
Unlike many open-world games that guide players along a predetermined path, Elden Ring offers a high degree of player agency. Players are free to choose which areas to explore, which quests to pursue, and which endings to unlock. This sense of freedom is incredibly empowering and allows players to truly feel like they are shaping their own destiny in the Lands Between.
Community and Discussion
Shared Experiences and Collaboration
The difficulty of Elden Ring fosters a strong sense of community among players. Sharing tips, strategies, and discoveries is a common practice, and players often collaborate to overcome challenging bosses or uncover hidden secrets. This sense of shared experience is a valuable part of the Elden Ring community.
Memes and Cultural Impact
Elden Ring has also had a significant cultural impact, spawning countless memes, fan art, and discussions across the internet. The game’s unique characters, challenging gameplay, and memorable moments have resonated with a wide audience, cementing its place in gaming history.
Learning more about video games and their impact on learning, can be found at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Elden Ring FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Elden Ring:
1. Is Elden Ring as good as people say it is?
Yes, Elden Ring generally lives up to the hype. Its unique combination of challenging gameplay, open-world exploration, and deep lore makes it a truly exceptional gaming experience.
2. Is Elden Ring the highest-rated game of all time?
Elden Ring achieved remarkably high scores upon release, contending for the highest-rated title on OpenCritic alongside Super Mario Odyssey. While rankings may shift over time, its critical acclaim remains undeniable.
3. Does Elden Ring have inappropriate content?
Elden Ring contains mature themes, including blood and gore, violence, suggestive themes, and occasional language. It is rated M for Mature 17+ by the ESRB.
4. Why does Elden Ring think I’m cheating?
False cheat detection can occur due to various factors, including corrupted game files, outdated drivers, or connectivity issues. Restarting your system, verifying game files, and updating drivers are common troubleshooting steps.
5. Is Elden Ring ok for an 11-year-old?
Given its Mature 17+ rating for blood and gore, violence, and suggestive themes, Elden Ring is generally not considered appropriate for 11-year-olds. Parental discretion is advised.
6. What percent of gamers beat Elden Ring?
Around 50% of players who own Elden Ring on Steam have completed it. This completion rate is relatively high compared to other AAA titles, especially those in the Soulslike genre.
7. Is Elden Ring hard to 100%?
Achieving true 100% completion in Elden Ring is technically impossible due to branching storylines and multiple endings. However, players can get very close by completing most quests, defeating all bosses, and collecting all items.
8. How many hours to beat all of Elden Ring?
Focusing on the main story takes roughly 58 hours. Completionists aiming for near-100% completion can expect to spend around 133 hours or more.
9. Do people actually enjoy Elden Ring?
Despite its difficulty, Elden Ring is widely enjoyed by players who appreciate challenging gameplay, open-world exploration, and deep lore. However, it’s not for everyone, especially those who prefer more relaxed or linear gaming experiences.
10. Should I accept or refuse Melina’s accord in Elden Ring?
You should accept Melina’s accord. Refusing it prevents you from leveling up and obtaining your spectral steed, Torrent, severely hindering your progress.
11. Is Elden Ring too hard for a casual gamer?
Elden Ring can be intimidating for casual gamers due to its difficulty. However, with patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn, even casual gamers can find enjoyment in its challenges.
12. Why is Elden Ring considered hard?
Elden Ring is considered hard due to its challenging combat, unforgiving enemies, and lack of hand-holding. Death is a common occurrence, and players must learn from their mistakes to progress.
13. What percent of people have 100% Elden Ring?
Approximately 7.9% of Elden Ring players on PlayStation have earned the Platinum trophy, indicating near-100% completion. This is a relatively high percentage for a AAA game.
14. What level do most people stop at in Elden Ring?
The “meta level” for PvP duels in Elden Ring is generally considered to be around 125, although some players prefer a higher level, such as 150.
15. How many players have defeated Elden Ring?
Based on trophy data, roughly 31.7% of Elden Ring players on PS5 have defeated Malenia, one of the game’s most challenging bosses. This gives some indication of how many players have progressed reasonably far through the story.
In conclusion, Elden Ring’s high ratings are well-deserved, a testament to its innovative design, challenging gameplay, and immersive world. While not for the faint of heart, it offers a truly unforgettable gaming experience.