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Elden Ring: A Monumental Open World Masterpiece

Elden Ring is a fantastic masterpiece that serves as a template for what excellent writing, gameplay, and environment design can feel like when done in great detail and when these elements interconnect and feed each other. No other game is as challenging, fun, and addictive as this title; Miyazaki and his team have truly outdone themselves with this entry in their list of soul games.

A World Awaits

If you ask me if Elden Ring is a hard game, it is not, and the same applies to all Dark Souls titles as well. The best word to describe these games is "authenticity," as enemies offer a challenge based on what they are. Yes, a Dragon shooting a fireball will hurt, but it is a dragon, so it has to hurt. Otherwise, it would be a joke with wings. If there is something one can learn from these games, everything matters. For example, the number of enemies is a reasonable challenge, while three or four can be a quick death.
As its heart, Elden Ring demands precision, commitment, and patience. While an enemy in the open might be easy to deal with, the same enemy in a different zone, such as a close corridor, can become a nightmare. The player has a lot of options in what they can do, from their builds, where they progress their character and watch it grow, unlike in any other game, but in how they will approach a fight or a challenge that is in their way.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3303604272
It is a game where bosses are more on the offensive guide than previous titles. You can enter the fog gate, and they are already springing towards you. FromSoftware has outdone itself in some spectacular fights, such as Malekith, where having a berserk-inspired boss with a giant sword that can jump into the air and throw slashes at you is not only a fight that makes you tremble with excitement and fear but also a graphical show of how the team has come a long way in animations and boss design. To experience defeat and try again is the means to become an Elden lord.

Soulsborne Meets Open World

Elden Ring's shift to an open world from the secluded areas of previous installments enhances its best quality: exploration. As you traverse the vast, intimidating landscapes, the world of Elden Ring comes alive. You can feel that you're not supposed to be there, but like a mouse that sneaks into a kitchen, you push forward, discovering secrets and facing fearsome foes. This sense of adventure is at the heart of Elden Ring.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3303603901
The enviroments being so varied not only visually but also in their layouts give each zone a distinct sense to it. The emotion you feel as you fight foes and the relief when you get to that next grace means that knowing where to go or not knowing where to go changes your experience with the game. Lakes with water that could drown you, giant islands with tornadoes, a volcanic manor, or ancient flooded cities are just some of what Elden Ring offers to those who dare to venture into the Lands Between.

A Triumph of Worldbuilding

George R.R. Martin's influence is evident in the game's intricate lore and complex characters. I beat just the core game, but I was distracted by side quests from other characters. That quest became compelling and a facet of the game where I enjoyed progressing them and discovering what would happen to the characters living in the Elden Ringworld. Blaidd, for example, is a cool werewolf with a compelling story, while The Witch Ranni is a fan favorite, and her quest will take you to incredibly secret zones.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3303603449
The game is also full of secrets, as I stated before, but the quantity of these secrets is so absurd that I beat the game three times by now across PS5, Series X, and now PC, and I keep finding new stuff I didn't see before. To my shame, it took me three times to realize the game has a crafting system...haha. One can play Elden Ring, beat it, and replay it, and they will have an experience that is still extraordinarily fresh and wonderful. It is a colossal success to fit so much in one game and keep the magic of what makes it special and able to last in the long term.


Multiplayer: a Blessing and a Curse.

Regarding multiplayer, the game can be fun to play with friends but suffers from it a bit. Co-op can make boss fights into a joke, while invasions can sometimes be annoying when you invade someone, and they proceed to do a 1 VS 3. The core experience is to play alone and use co-op when stuck in a fight, but there is also freedom to play in any way. In a way, Elden Ring misses those fights in Dark Souls 3, where bosses were supposed to be able to take three players at the same time.

Conclusion

Elden Ring is a masterpiece that redefines the genre of open-world games—a title where all elements of the experience are worked to perfection and have no weak spots. A must-play for all gamers, whether a seasoned souls-borne veteran or a newcomer to the series, you own it to yourself to try this game and seek the unforgettable journey that Elden Ring offers. Be prepared to face challenges, frustration, discovery, adventure, and triumph.
10/10 MASTERPIECE
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