When From Software announced Elden Ring in 2019, little did I know that the game would appear to be the gaming revelation of 2022. Not for me, but for many, many other gamers who have had absolutely nothing to do with a Soulsbourne game before. I love that Elden Ring manages to bring the fantastic mythology and gameplay (and also the hellish camera) of the folks at From Software to a wide range of players. And at the same time, I’m a little pissed that From games have now become mainstream in gamer society.

Before I explain why I want more Elden Ring (buy now €53.98) and the expansion of this mythology (as the developers have indicated) can remain stolen until a Bloodborne 2 appears first, another disclaimer. I haven’t really played a second of Elden Ring yet. Instead, I’m watching someone whose From experience is largely limited to Sekiro. Just so you can classify my opinion.

Elden Ring makes Soulsborne more accessible, well and good…

Really, I’m excited for the success Hidetaka Miyazaki and his people are having with Elden Ring. Twelve million units sold in less than a month, WTF? This game is bigger than any WoW release in the same amount of time, check it out! I think that’s fantastic because From’s games don’t typically appeal to the general public. Well, maybe that has something to do with the myth of the absolutely “unforgiving” Souls games. It used to be more true than it is today. So… earlier. Before Elden Ring.

… but the balancing!

Maybe it’s just envy speaking out of me, but when legendary and important enemies of the Between Lands bite the dust after three or four tries with a magically gifted hero, like an ant crushed by the sole of a shoe… then that’s – really, sorry ! – not a Soulsborne game for me. Which in turn also has to do with the fact that I wasted at least 60+ tries on Ludwig in the Bloodborne DLC. Well, that was in NewGame++ and in co-op. Doesn’t change the fact that Bloodborne has bosses that are a fucking tough roadblock (in Dark Souls 3 too, by the way) and that you can’t even easily outsmart them unless you have help.

Ludwig you ass, cost me a lot of nerves.

Source: buffed

Difficulty is a double-edged sword

Now it’s important to point out that you can’t hide behind a shield in Bloodborne, because there aren’t any. The gameplay itself is smoother and faster than Dark Souls and that’s what I really like about Bloodborne. On top of that, I’m an outspoken Dex fan, so I can’t do anything with magic.

In this respect, it seems strange to me in Elden Ring that magic in particular appears so ridiculously overpowered. Coupled with the summons from the ashes of war, bosses first try are spit out. Yes, there are such bosses and such. There are legendary enemies and there are mini bosses. The problem with the world structure of Elden Ring could not be solved otherwise, I understand that.

Yes, the problem with the open world …

A lot of things that I see as facilitating the usual Soulsborne play come with the concept of the open world. A mount that can be used in boss fights – by the way, the Tree Sentinel was already available for pedestrians in Sekiro, if you want to try it. Teleports from one bonfire – that’s what they’re called to me – to the next.

And then just bosses of lighter and heavier caliber. Having the freedom to hop away from an open world where a seemingly impossible challenge awaits and seek out an easier task doesn’t feel like a Soulsborne player either. That’s the strength I see in games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne – and it’s also a weakness of those games.

Susanne loves her Bloodborne Hunter to this day.

Source: buffed

Yes, the problem with linear levels…

Dark Souls and Bloodborne thrive on the narrow, winding levels. Every now and then there is an open area to roam, but in Bloodborne in particular, the street levels of Yharnam, the narrow corridors of Cainhurst, the oppressive Mensis nightmare are all indicative of what makes a Soulsborne game to me. I am guided through the game and if a boss is too difficult for me, then I have no choice but to fight my way through or farm in the previous level for the next level.

For good reason, you’ll be able to call a Soulsborne veteran any time of the day or night to ask about Dark Souls or Bloodborne leveling. He will be able to tell you all this. Because he played what felt like 100 times. Any veteran will also say: Soulsborne bosses are tough, but they’re also fair. Players with enough observation skills will always know why they died trying. In Elden Ring, on the other hand, one could say one never encounters any seemingly insurmountable brakes. You can go somewhere else.

Curse and blessing at the same time. I’m torn if you know what I mean.

Bloodborne 2 plx!

I’m not saying that Elden Ring is a Soulsborne for wimps. But it is one for beginners. I’m happy for the players who discover Elden Ring for themselves. I’m happy that my best friend is enjoying the game (I’m less happy that I found out what idiom I detest). I am pleased that Karsten, a substantial bigger Soulsborne veteran than me, enjoying the Elden Ring so much. But for my personal gaming needs, I finally need a Bloodborne 2 before any more stories from the Between Lands are told.

Problem though: if open world is the evolution that From Software urgently needs to bring the games to the masses… wouldn’t a Bloodborne 2 also tend to offer an open world? But then… it wouldn’t be Bloodborne anymore, would it? I hope Hidetaka Miyazaki and his people realize that they might have a harder time telling this to the die-hard fans. Open World is welcome to stay with Elden Ring, for Bloodborne and Souls it doesn’t need that imo.

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