Elden Ring for Xbox review: FromSoftware's magnum opus
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Well worth the waitElden Band for Xbox review: FromSoftware's magnum opus
I never want to go out The Lands Betwixt. 
Source: Windows Central
Information technology feels like an eternity since fans were treated to Elden Band'south reveal trailer back at E3 2022. This brief video provided a glimpse into its mysterious world, and information technology set the net ablaze with excitement over this assuming new collaboration between Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazaki. Considering FromSoftware is known for impressive consistency with its titles, which include 2022 Game of the Twelvemonth Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, expectations from players similar myself were justifiably astronomical.
What none of u.s. knew was that the following year would bring a devastating pandemic that would not only dramatically impact our lives but would as well disrupt the video games manufacture. As development teams frantically adjusted to remote piece of work, it became more apparent with each passing month that titles similar Elden Ring would be launching much after than initially planned.
Thankfully, our era of suspense is now at an stop. I've spent close to 70 hours throwing myself into the grandeur of Elden Band, and the more I play, the more I find myself in awe of the sheer telescopic of FromSoftware'southward latest offering. In that location's no shortage of content for players looking to get engrossed in a land of beauty, horror, mystery, and adventure. This gargantuan RPG not only met my almost outlandish expectations, but repeatedly exceeded them. Miyazaki and visitor accept delivered a fantasy epic that viciously scrapes and claws its mode into the pantheon of unforgettably important video games similar Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Elden Ring is FromSoftware'south most remarkable work and so far and stands confidently equally one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
Elden Ring
Bottom line: Elden Ring is a masterclass in open-world game design. FromSoftware has poetically fashioned a gorgeously haunting universe that begs to exist explored. It's a quintessential action RPG and an obvious contender for game of the year.
The Good
- Compelling open-world gameplay
- Artfully crafted environments
- Singled-out and varied enemy design
- Immense amounts of character customization
The Bad
- Optional side dungeons experience too formulaic
- Certain boss fights will kick your assk
Disclaimer: This review was made possible by a review code provided by Bandai Namco. The visitor did non see the contents of the review before publishing.
Elden Ring: The open up-world setting can accept you far
Source: Windows Central
Players in Elden Ring take the office of a chosen Tarnished. These outcast individuals and their ancestors lost their grace and were banished from The Lands Between. Following the Shattering of the Elden Band, the Greater Will has summoned our chosen Tarnished out of desperation to help reestablish the Golden Order. Your main objective is to chase downwards the demi-god children of Queen Marika the Eternal to get together the Keen Runes in hopes of garnering the ability required to go the next Elden Lord. Every bit you might imagine, these demi-gods won't give up their newfound ability willingly. This conflict is the catalyst for your time in The Lands Betwixt.
| Category | GameNameXXX |
|---|---|
| Title | Elden Ring |
| Developer | FromSoftware |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco |
| Genre | RPG |
| Xbox Version | Xbox Ane, Xbox Serial X|S |
| Game Size | 49GB |
| Play Fourth dimension | 70+ hours |
| Players | Multiplayer 1 - 4 |
| Xbox GamePass | No |
| Launch Price | $threescore |
Players familiar with FromSoftware'south previous Souls-likes will immediately experience a sense of comfort upon opening Elden Band. The command scheme, the menstruation of combat, and character progression are quite like to Dark Souls iii in many ways, merely it'due south also immediately apparent that this isn't a Nighttime Souls game.
After emerging from a brief tutorial cave, you're bathed in the stunning view of Elden Ring'south starting area Limgrave and given your first gustation of the true calibration of this new gamble. Equally a Dark Souls veteran, it was clear I wasn't in Lordran anymore.
The next sixty+ hours of playtime with Elden Band were a constant banquet for the senses. The transition to open-world game design enriched the dynamics of moment-to-moment gameplay and supplied a steady stream of captivating environments and memorable ready pieces. Inhabiting these unparalleled locations are a host of fascinating and often icky enemies and larger-than-life boss encounters. While long-time fans of FromSoftware volition recognize some familiar faces, there are plenty of creatures and characters in Elden Ring you definitely won't see anywhere else.
Elden Ring as well turbo-charges the player freedom and customization of titles similar Night Souls and Bloodborne. With 10 starting classes, each with specific starting items and abilities, you're given the flexibility to play almost any manner you run across fit. The tuning applied to weapons, magic, and even consumable items allows yous to immerse yourself in the class fantasy of your choosing. Much similar the tabletop RPGs that inspired then many iconic video games, every stat point, slice of gear, and gadget you bring acquire matters. And depending on your playstyle will likely be the deviation between life and expiry.
Source: Windows Central
Despite my anticipation for Elden Band, I was admittedly worried that FromSoftware'south transition to a traditional open-world style RPG would negatively impact the attention to particular many fans have grown to love. One of the reasons I concur Nighttime Souls 3 to such a loftier regard is considering of how meticulously crafted every location feels. From the iconic towers of Anor Lando to the wooded swamp of the Route of Sacrifices, Nighttime Souls 3 never backs downwards when information technology comes to unforgettable scenery. Even benign background objects similar bookshelves or weapon racks have their specific purpose in that earth. Some of these concerns were slightly amplified afterwards the slight taste of the Network Test due to what I assumed was a lack of biome multifariousness. Thankfully, I tin can confirm this wasn't a problem in Elden Ring.
The stunningly dense locations encourage exploration in a way that other open-world RPGs can only dream of.
What consistently surprised me about Elden Ring is how it managed to take all the cadre elements I love almost Dark Souls 3 and expand upon their scale in meaningful ways. Naught is lost with the dramatically increased map size. In fact, the stunningly dumbo locations encourage exploration in a way that other open-globe RPGs tin merely dream of. Every structure or strange creature in the distance becomes a new mission. Subtle yet deliberate environmental details entice the player, and I almost e'er felt rewarded for venturing off the browbeaten path.
FromSoftware understands its audience'south proclivities for uncovering hidden secrets. Seasoned players know that not everything is quite what it seems in a FromSoftware RPG, from invisible walls to entire regions locked behind specific gameplay mechanics. Elden Ring beckons you lot around each and every corner, and by providing a steady stream of weapons, upgrade materials, and even cloak-and-dagger alternate paths, I never felt as though I was wasting my time by chasing after a curious hunch. This sense of achievement encouraged me to allow myself to get distracted in the best possible ways. So many of my favorite pieces of equipment were discovered entirely past accident.
With the broader scope of The Lands Between comes new methods of traversal. Showtime is the power to jump at volition. This might sound like a relatively trivial characteristic for players unfamiliar with Dark Souls, simply at that place'due south no denying how much more satisfying platforming becomes because of it. Your Spectral Steed, a mystical horse y'all can summon at will, is another noteworthy addition to the open-earth formula that provides a consequent way to rapidly traverse the map without an over-reliance on fast travel locations. Much like Breath of the Wild or Skyrim, these gameplay tools are crucial when maneuvering across Elden Band's sprawling landscapes.
Elden Band: Graphics, environment, and presentation
Source: Windows Central
Over the last few decades, FromSoftware has crafted some of the most beloved locations in video game history. In detail, Miyazaki and the Souls squad have a methodical approach to environmental design and storytelling. Whether information technology be cult-like structure in the altitude or a pile of seared, decomposable bodies, everything serves its purpose. While it's probably difficult for some fans to imagine scenery more enigmatic than Dark Souls staples like Firelink Shrine or Kiln of the Offset Flame, Elden Ring manages to regularly bestow just that.
The immaculate implementation of color and lighting throughout Elden Band is nada short of praiseworthy.
Elden Ring has the best color residual I've ever seen in a video game. The environments scattered throughout The Lands Between all serve as testaments to this team'due south attention to the importance of color. Areas like Limgrave delicately display hues of green and amber, while other locations like Liurnia Lake characteristic deep blueish skies with speckles of expert trickling on the horizon. Elden Band isn't agape to testify this scenery, either. There are plenty of opportunities to relish the gorgeous views and jaw-dropping vistas for each of the varied biomes in the game.
The visual excellence of Elden Ring likewise extends to its interior locations. Night caves and catacombs serve equally playgrounds for the excellent lighting and particle furnishings. It's exhilarating watching blue glimmers from magic attacks or the distinct orange glow of a torch trip the light fantastic toe off tunnel walls. This accent on lighting is amplified by an impressive dynamic day/night cycle, which fundamentally changes the temper of the game'south dozens of locations. The immaculate implementation of colour and lighting throughout Elden Band is zippo short of praiseworthy. I confidently took 100 screenshots during my fourth dimension with the game merely based on presentation lone.
Elden Band: Gameplay, enemies, and gainsay
Source: Windows Fundamental
The number of enemies and bosses in Elden Ring is outrageous. Every few hours, you're introduced to fresh breeds of curious creatures or malicious monstrosities. As someone who's played every other FromSoftware RPG, I recognized my off-white share of returning favorites, like gigantic crabs and ravenous hounds missing heaps of fur. However, I was genuinely taken aback past how many new enemy types were introduced, particularly because so many of them are things I've never seen in a video game earlier.
It's not every day yous run into a spider-like hand monster crawling towards you at lightning speeds in a tight sewer corridor.
I won't divulge any specifics to avert venturing into spoiler territory. The near of import thing to know about Elden Band and its creature design is that FromSoftware wasn't afraid to get weird. From trunk-horror beasts that I couldn't even conjure in my darkest nightmares to whimsical and almost even beautiful citizens of fantastical cities, the inhabitants of The Lands Between are wildly diverse and endlessly fascinating. It's non every twenty-four hours you come across a spider-like hand monster itch towards you at lightning speeds in a tight sewer corridor, and if I'm being honest, it'due south not something I ever want to see again.
And no FromSoftware RPG is complete without over-the-top boss battles in grandiose locations set to fierce orchestral music. Thankfully, this is another area Elden Band delivers in spades. The blitheness details during boss encounters throughout the game are remarkable. Terrifying foes like Margit the Barbarous Omen carefully bait players into attacking or dodging, only to follow up with devastating counterattacks. Witnessing these ballsy foes deliberately false-swipe or backstep earlier lunging forward forces you to remain engaged in ways nosotros haven't even seen in other FromSoftware titles. If yous're hoping for some sweaty, centre-pounding battles in Elden Band, yous will not be disappointed.
Source: Windows Central
I of Dark Souls' greatest strengths is how it empowers players through gameplay and equipment. You've always been given the freedom to choose what weapons you wield and which powers to summon, and this inherently determines how you'll engage in combat. Whether you lot're a thick tank carrying the heaviest club you tin notice or a wizard casting devastating magic from a distance, the ability for players to embrace precisely how they want to play has consistently been celebrated, and Elden Band takes those principles to an entirely new level.
With more magic, weapons, equipment, and tools than ever before, FromSoftware's open-globe RPG provides a variable sandbox of destruction. I chose The Prophet class in my primary playthrough, which serves equally a fascinating blend of the Cleric and Pyromancer from Dark Souls. With nature-drive incantations, I was able to bung enormous balls of burn down and even rend the earth with mystical claws. I besides unlocked the ability to imbue my weapons with holy magic to help quickly defeat the undead. These unique powers fed into the power fantasy of my specific playthrough.
If you desire to pretend you're Simon Belmont and attack with a massive whip while throwing firebombs, the power is yours.
If casting magic isn't your matter, don't worry; almost any weapon is viable in Elden Ring. If you want to pretend you're Simon Belmont and attack with a massive whip while throwing firebombs, the power is yours. If yous want to put on some spiked knuckles and punch enemies into dust, that'southward entirely doable besides. Fifty-fifty with nearly lxx hours of playtime and likely many more to go before I officially complete my start run, I'thou already planning my next starting form and my first level of New Game+. Just thinking about all the possibilities within Elden Ring is staggering.
This immense customization and character flexibility are amplified past some of the best action-oriented combat in the genre. Players allocate an assortment of left and right-handed weapons, up to iii per arm, that can exist seamlessly interchanged by pressing the d-pad in the direction associated with that armament. Different weapon types will prove to exist more effective confronting specific enemies. Blunt instruments like maces are exceptional at taking downward armored foes, and burn down wreaks havoc on any enemy with flesh or fur. An elegant ballet perfected in Elden Band is understanding your opponents and the proper gear for an encounter.
Elden Ring: What you won't similar
Source: Windows Central
While much of my time with this ambitious RPG has legitimately been some of the best in my feel playing video games, there are a few key points to discuss regarding disappointing blueprint elements and causes of probable frustration, particularly for players who've never attempted a FromSoftware RPG before in Elden Ring.
Even as a Souls-veteran, some of these fights took me over 20 tries to complete.
First upward, many of the hidden dungeons located throughout The Lands Between are formulaic. At that place are substantially three primary biomes for these optional dungeons: caves, catacombs, and mines. Almost all of them adhere to one of these three themes, and ofttimes they echo corridors or even boss encounters. Equally these are entirely supplemental to the more ornate and elaborate dungeons where many of the game's main story beats occur, I didn't have a significant issue with the repetition. Unfortunately, they felt markedly less exciting compared to the extraordinary mainline locations.
And this wouldn't be a FromSoftware RPG review if nosotros didn't talk about difficulty. Quality-of-life changes like increased checkpoint frequency and the ability to summon spirit companions to assist with more fell encounters dramatically softens the overall challenge. However, there are nonetheless several critical boss encounters that will absolutely kick your ass. Even every bit a Souls veteran, some of these fights took me over 20 tries to consummate. Although I thoroughly enjoyed many of these grueling bosses, I totally empathize that not anybody has the patience for that level of stress. So, equally you prepare for your upcoming Elden Band gamble, but remember the timeless aphorism: Ready to die.
Elden Ring: Should you play information technology?
Source: Windows Key
Like the RPGs that came before it, Elden Band will likely be a divisive video game. On the one hand, there's no denying how incredibly designed this open-world epic is. Elden Ring takes the best elements of Nighttime Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and gorgeously presents them to an entirely new audition. On the other hand, the difficulty during several boss battles will undoubtedly be too intense for casual RPG enthusiasts to overcome.
For players willing to embrace the challenge and defeat seemingly insurmountable foes, Elden Ring is, without question, ane of the greatest RPGs e'er made. From rich exploration to constantly engaging gainsay, you lot're ever rewarded for your efforts. The Lands Between instantly became ane of my favorite video game worlds.
If you want an RPG that promotes experimentation, provides dozens and dozens of unforgettable enemies and bosses, and celebrates the legacy of one of the near talented teams in game development, Elden Ring is a must-play.
Elden Band
Bottom line: Elden Ring is a critically important RPG and 1 fans of the genre shouldn't miss. A truly special release that managed to exceed all expectations.
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Miles Dompier
Miles Dompier is a Freelance Video Producer for Windows Central, focusing on video content for Windows Fundamental Gaming. In addition to writing or producing news, reviews, and gaming guides, Miles delivers fun, customs-focused videos for the Windows Central Gaming YouTube channel. Miles too hosts Xbox Chaturdays every Sat, which serves every bit the Windows Central Gaming weekly podcast.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/elden-ring
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