Why I'm Not Interested in Elden Ring

Elden Ring is set to launch on PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC next week, but for some it's hard to believe the hype.

[BigBosss]

Git gud

[kevco33]

Haha! Fair play.

[LordoftheCritics]

Its for the Souls audience.

They have their sales sorted out.

The rest of the gamers have so many other open world games. Starfield, Cyberpunk.

[Sayai jin]

Starfield? It's not even out yet.

[thorstein]

Stop writing clickbait. I am not interested in LARPing. I am not going to write an article about it. Instead, I hear about it and hope those people have fun doing it, it doesn't bother me.

[PeaSFor]

This blog post look like someone trying to convince himself, btw did you feel better?
Because i dont really like the color red so maybe i should blog about it too.

[KyRo]

Tbh I'm more concerned for the open world format. Open world games have all become the same structurly and mission design wise. Open world are used to always being new life to gaming but now it's always the same thing.

Clear camps, go here, fetch this, kill this person, repeat. People shit on Ubisoft but so many other publishers copy the same formula without the endless amount fo collectables that Ubisoft like to add.

[Urrakia34]

This is why I've been craving for more linear, properly structured games with a meaningful/interesting plot rather than playing yet ANOTHER open world game that most likely boasts of it's map size and uses the same tired fetch quests. It's all just so damn vapid imo.

[Sidewinder-]

Partly why I stopped playing Halo Infinite. I only got as far as the 2nd Boss. It just felt like I "knew" what was coming next, more of the same shit that has been done better years ago.

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

I'm not going to say open worlds are overrated, because I do think that a well-designed open world is fantastic and can make for a wonderful experience, but I do think open worlds for the sake of open worlds has long since become beyond overrated. Everyone and their dog makes open world games now, and not all of them are great IMHO. I understand why they became popular, because if done right they can make the world of a game feel more alive, and they do generally at least give the player the illusion of having more freedom.

But, I'll take a well-designed linear game any day of the week over a poorly designed open world game, because at the end of the day, I care less about whether the experience is "open" or linear, and more about how well designed a game is. Like with anything, there are ways to do an open world well, and there are ways to do one poorly, as the flip side is, I also don't think the fault lies in open worlds as a concept so much as in everyone trying to cash in on it.

One thing is, when something is less common it feels a lot more special, whereas when something is done all the time it tends to feel more tired and cliched unless something is done to differentiate it from all the others like it. On top of that though, so many devs seem to just throw an open world into their games because it sells, and either don't care enough to really give their world a lot of life, or don't know how to make a good open world and assume that size is the most important aspect.

If you look at all the highest rated open world titles, there's usually something those games do to hook the player in and make us want to spend time in those worlds. They're not just beloved because they're open worlds, but because they are well-designed open worlds. A good portion of them also do something that differentiates them from one another. All the GTAs, Horizons, etc., are great in their own unique ways, and while there's more to their experience than just their worlds, that's a big part of it, so solid world design really helps.

But yeah, tl;dr, open worlds are a great concept IMHO. I just prefer when they're done well, and won't praise a game simply because it has an open world, or operate on the assumption that it's better than other games for that reason alone, because no amount of non-linearity can cover for bad game design IMHO.

Anyways, on the topic of this particular game, I think it has promise and I'm personally looking forward to it.

[Chexs1990]

The problem with Ubi games especially, is that all their big titles are the same game with different themes at this point.
Other publishers do it, but it's not the only thing in their portfolio of games

[Profchaos]

Publishers tend to lean on the open world format to extend longevity and it's a noticeable crutch in many ways.

I first noticed the decline in linear games around the late 2000s publishers were annoyed that people were finishing linear single player games and trading them in while they were still new and stores like EB pushed gamers to buy the pre-owned title over the new title losing them money.

So we got a fair few schemes over the years including game passes with publishers putting up a paywall on their game if you don't have the cd key that came with the game pay us $10 to get full access was common.

Eventually the open world format we know today was born it's drastically different from the open world of yesterday where GTA SA had some collectables it wasn't bloating it'map into a thousand hour set of chores. Ubi was really the first to make you comb every inch of their maps before you could continue the story (not having enough towers in older AC games blocked progression) thus increasing longevity past the new sale period resulting in less pre owned copies flooding stores.

Same holds true for so many games today if we get a linear story it's normally playing second fiddle to a online mode that takes priority.

[KingofBandits]

This exactly. There was a time when the thought of an open world game was a dream concept. Going from an overworld map with specific points that you could explore to exploring the entire map at the interactive segments level was amazing. Then the realities of it set in, with expectations for world size and art/asset quality growing 10X larger the amount of stuff they would pack into that space became smaller. Now I feel open world games do not even match the world and interactive density of even 90's JRPG's.

To me there was this balancing point in game design that was just skipped after the PS2 era. Even games in the same series suffer from this vapid, forest hike simulator issue. Take Zelda. To me Breath of the Wilds open world is not nearly as interesting to explore as Wind Waker's from two gens back. At the time people complained that the distance between the islands was too much and that the sailing became boring. Looking back though I feel it was the perfect balance, it made finding the unique islands and little one off puzzles challenging, easy to miss but genuinely exciting to stumble across. Breath of the wild though ends up being too large and ultimately a slog to get through. Dragon Quest 8 is another example to me that realized that early expectation of exploring the open world vs an overworld map.

Now though? Its all gotten so boring. so what have devs done, they put fetch quests and tower/base capture segments into the empty void you walk through. games that are 20+ years old still have new secrets being discovered in them where as modern games the only thing your likely to discover is a new bug/glitch.

[alb1899]

After Sekiro I'm more than happy to try Elden Ring.

[DogJosha]

Sekiro made me fear that they would return to generic action game #2355865. When 90% of action games feel the same, I don't mind multiple "similar" games. Also hard to get "soul'd" out when those copy cat games completely miss the mark and feel nothing like Souls games. Only "mimic" game I like is Salt and Sanctuary, but that is a fun metroidvania.

[Elda]

It's basically Dark Souls 4 with some added features & additions including a new name.

[BigBosss]

LOL its not a Souls Game despite having some similarities...

[Elda]

Opinions opinions we all have one.

[MrChow666]

How is it not a Souls game? Lol

[Vengeance1138]

Just like how your name isn't BigBosss, despite having some similarities...

[Angyobangyo]

It’s a souls game. If you played the network beta you’ll know it’s a very typical Souls game with some new mechanics.

[Levii_92]

Dark Souls sucks... my least favourite From Soft games, Elden Ring looks much more fun and interesting. It's going to be amazing.

[Crows90]

Wow. Youre in for a treat. Or a slap. Whichever way you prefer to look at it.

[Samonuske]

More like Demon’s Souls 5…

[MohammadAdam]

According to you Elda, this should be Demons Souls 7: Elden Ring.

[Magatsuhi]

Looks more like ds3.5

[SullysCigar]

I mean, no game is for everyone I guess.

[Lighter9]

Rated E for Everyone.

Hmmm. /s

[SullysCigar]

Lol touché

[monkey602]

Why I'm not interested in reading this kind of stupid article.. even though I did. Hell I went through the same thing and never did play Dark Souls 3. IP fatigue is a thing. I cant look at Ubisoft games anymore.
Seriously though you aren't bothered, fair enough, move on, get on with your life. The game is going to be great so let others enjoy it without having to suffer your stupid 2 cents.

[GamingSinceForever]

You read and commented so he won.

The article was actually decent. Get out of your feelings. 😂

[monkey602]

I was going to ignore the article and leave it at the first line of my comment but didn't want to be one of those guys that didn't bother reading what it was about in case the subject didn't match the headline. But nope, pointless bloat from another gaming site. We've all been in this scenario most likely, Author has added nothing to the conversation.

[EmperorDalek]

He didn't make you read the article. How will one article made a week before the game's launch hinder your enjoyment?

[blackblades]

Shouldve been one of those people then, I ignore the hell out of it and just go to the comments.

[Crows90]

Well saying theres fatigue and then bringing up ubisoft games that are all about causing fatigue...doesnt exactly sound that surprising.

Ubisoft games have gotten much bigger and much worse. Most IP dont get that many iterations and the ones that do tend to be rushed games. From Software doesnt rush their games.

I believe in genre fatigue but not IP fatigue.

[Hofstaderman]

Quite the reverse in my case. This game has me interested in trying Fromsoft title for the first time. The previews indicate it's a good entry point for Souls newcomers as the nature of the open world is more accommodating to different play styles. So I'm taking the plunge.

[talocaca]

It's not for everyone. Demons Souls on PS5 was my first "Souls" game and I HATED the first 3 hours or so....basically me dying without accomplishing anything.

At some point something clicked and I got much better. I ended up getting the Platinum (something I rarely do).

Now wondering if Elden Ring will have the same effect on me.

[Kerppamaister]

Pfffft....

[HeliosHex]

All I think about is eldin ring.

[Viljong]

Not intrested at all i have so many better games on to play list. Dont like soul games, didnt bother with demons souls on ps5 nor mortal shell(horrible)

[BlackTar187]

Cool story

[Aussiesummer]

Why I'm not clicking on your shitty opinion peice.

[DCarnage]

Sony fan bois will down vote this post because I will be playing on Xbox. Fucking losers

[Welshy]

When you have a spare second from being so cool and edgy, Google the term "self fulfilling prophecy".

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

I'm not a Sony fanboy but downvoted so as not to disappoint.

[Junkrad2022]

why we dont care about you

[ichdich]

Git gud

[andron]

Not all games interests all people..

[TheKingKratos]

No one cares

Buy whatever suits you and leave those games to the ppl who love them

You don't need to make an article about it

[jznrpg]

Why do we get these “articles” ? It’s a given not everyone likes every game we all know that we don’t need to hear about why

[Vx_]

You will be truly missed, said no one ever.

[Killa78]

This is about getting good, it's about patience.

I enjoy playing challenging games but games are generally supposed to be relaxing endeavours, which souls games are not.

I think God of War and Returnal had the right balance in combat (could've been abit harder, I guess) for me.

[NukeDaHippies]

You just know the writer will get it day 1 anyway.

[monkey602]

And write another dozen articles about trivial shit involving the game.

[GamingSinceForever]

What concerns me about the open world format is that Souls games never had much of a story plot to begin with so I think this one will be harder to stick with for most.

To be honest I like Sekiro the best out of all
of them so a sequel to that would have been more than welcome.

[monkey602]

I couldnt disagree more with that statement. The Souls series have been a blessing with lore and little details. The kind, exploration and discovery could lend itself to extremely well.

[GamingSinceForever]

The opening of shortcuts is what made the discovery so special in Souls games. I’m sure this game will be well received amongst the critics but I can guarantee this will be the one that very few will finish. We haven’t seen much of this game so it may be surprisingly different, but on paper an open world souls game sounds unnecessary.

[FlavorLav01]

Bloodborne was the best example of story and world building told through exploration in FromSoft games. Otherwise, Darksouls always felt like a soul-less mountain climb in the story department. Large vague story arch’s with great level design but zero character development. I’m hoping for more along the lines of Bloodborne and Sekiro in the story department with Elden Ring, not getting my hopes up though.

[Terry_B]

okay..?

[SuperToastX]

Who cares you are not interested in playing.

[Muigi]

Lol just say its too hard for you and move on.

[onisama]

Why you have to tell us tho

[Rocosaurus]

Feel the same way. No interest.

[AmUnRa]

I'am also not interested in Elden Ring but i dont like this type of games. But i can not denay that it looks great and will be fantastic game for people who like this type of games.
So all of you guys have a great time with it. I have a great time in March with GT7, i will be playing that game for a long long time...

[CrimsonWing69]

Why I'm not interested in reading why you're not interested in a game.

[AmUnRa]

whats your problem, i only said that gamers will love it, its a remark from a gamer to gamers not some consolewar remark. When you dont like it that your problem.

[CrimsonWing69]

So, you used a clickbait title?

[SimpleSlave]

"I simply feel that Elden Ring is avoiding innovation to play it safe."

...

I guess when you have to convince yourself of something you'll tell yourself anything...

[Ramboforlife]

Someone get this writer a bottle of milk.

[Godmars290]

Personally starving for sci-fi/cyberpunk/mech RPG.

[Lexreborn2]

I’m coming here just to say I don’t care

[lex-1020]

"a rush of ‘me too’ titles. The likes of Lords of the Fallen, Remnant: From the Ashes, The Surge and more recently Mortal Shell"

Has the author played Remnant: From the Ashes? It's nothing like a SoulsBourne game.

[adamwparker]

I hate that I suck at From Software games.
I miss so much great design and gameplay from great artists and animators because I just don't have the time to "git gud".

I'm 42 and I let my kids take majority of the video gametime in the house. I loved gaming growing up and don't want to take that fun youthful excitement of gaming memories away from them. I'm such a casual now. Time does that to many of us. Getting older from it, plus not having enough of it in the days.

Even though these games aren't for me, I hold them on very high pedestals because they are amazing works of art.

[shaenoide]

And why we don't care ?

[DOMination-]

No interest in any FROM game. Not my thing. But Amazing and full respect to the developers and gamers and play these games. They continue to push the envelope and I for one am thankful they exist, even if I don't care for them. The game looks sick for those who enjoy this genre so Ii am really excited for those who are looking forward to it!

[Lionsguard]

Why I'm not interested in why you're not interested in Elden Ring.

[GenWorld]

None of us care 🤣🤣🤣
29315;

[Agent75]

Another typical FromSoftware game. Why is the hype on a Goliath scale?

[peppeaccardo]

Who gives .. ?????????????

[chicken_in_the_corn]

I'm not interested either because of the difficulty and the last Fromsoft game I played had very dated graphics and gameplay

[drunkenspy007]

great click bait headline

[Moegooner]

Hello, I am not interested in game X, now watch me write an entire piece about it.

[TheLigX]

I’m here for the comments.

[hiawa23]

It is in my Gamefly Q. Looking forward to it.

[hiawa23]

😁

[tombfan]

I really think these opinion articles shouldn't even be made tbh.

[P4rrot]

I kinda understand this article. Everything about this game I would normally be interested in. Genre is something I would normally love, I like what FromSoftware do, a big fan of George R. R. Martin. I kinda want to force myself to be interested.. But I'm just a bit blasé towards it at the moment and can't even put my finger on why.

[frostypants]

This is a glorified reddit post. Get this crap off of N4G.

[NotanotherReboot]

*Why I'm lame

[Aaroncls7]

lmao

[hotnickles]

I was interested enough to buy it. This break away from the standard From software is interesting. If I’m reading into it correctly at all haha. Challenge is okay but I don’t find the standard formula entertaining. I couldn’t get into any of them that I tried. I’d rather just invest in other games. Im giving this a try though. Chances are I probably won’t like it but it looked interesting enough for support.

[metalgod88]

There are so many amazing games coming out this year, I mean, take your pick. If you're not excited Elden Ring, then pick up something else. So far, pretty much every big release has been fantastic and there are some real bangers on the way.

There's nothing wrong with being tired of a series. For me it's probably Assassins Creed or Borderlands. Personally, I think Elden Ring is shaping up to be the best game From Software has released to date, but you know, to each their own.

The game isn't going anywhere, so if you ever want to come back, it's ready when you are.

[Orchard]

There’s no need for everyone to like a game just because most others do. The author isn’t excited for it and that is fine.

The rest of us continue to be excited for it and will be having a GOTY experience in a few days time.

[plmkoh]

As soon as I saw the leaks I cancelled my preorder. Just the same stuff (right down to the exact same animations). If you want more of that in a new context and new name then this game will probably be the best.

[Vaud-Villian]

I can get this argument from COD, or Battlefield, or any yearly sports release or assassins creed but this is a stretch. Especially with nothing factual to back it up it is nothing more than an assumption.

[BlaqMagiq1]

So now journalists feel the need to write a whole article about why they don't want to play a game? Bro it's not that serious. Just move on if it's not for you.

[SinisterMister]

Good for you fella.

[TchaikovskyP]

I'm waiting for it to come out)))