Elden Ring comes from a long lineage of games developed by FromSoftware. These Souls-like games are known to be brutal and Elden Ring is no different, so its difficulty combined with its massive open world deter novices from playing. However, Elden Ring's densely populated map should be taken advantage of. New players should power through their initial worries to be rewarded with what's likely to become one of the best games of the year.
More than the game's map, Elden Ring is massive in scope, so new players should experiment with the many tools Elden Ring offers in order to succeed. Whether it be finding a favorite weapon, mastering one aspect of the combat system, or even finding ruins and dungeons to explore, making use and gaining confidence in just one area of the game should open up the rest of it.
Elden Ring Has No Dead Ends
Elden Ring's world, the Lands Between, is near limitless in terms of activities. There are optional dungeons, boss fights, and enemy forts around every corner. The sheer amount of exploration is overwhelming to start, but slow, methodical exploration is the way to go. Every area contains worthwhile rewards, even if it winds up just being a handful of runes used to level up, so completing side areas is vital to get strong enough to take on the game's harder challenges. The best part is that there is no point where players can explicitly get stuck.
Elden Ring's open world means players can explore any area in any order, gaining the option to leave one and come back to it later. There is no shame in Elden Ring beginners retreating from an area to explore others, only to come back and breeze through the original roadblock. The Lands Between are begging to be explored, and taking full advantage of this will eventually allow players to tackle anything that the game has to offer.
Combat and Customization are Key in Elden Ring
Though Elden Ring places emphasis on exploration, combat makes up the majority of the game. Choosing one of 10 classes is the first step. Whether that choice be the strength-focused, sword-wielding Vagabond, or the spell-slinging Astrologer, new players should find the class that best suits their style. It's no problem to try one out, then start a new save file to try another.
Elden Ring's deep combat mechanics may be difficult to pick up at first, so it is recommended to enter the Cave of Knowledge. This brief combat tutorial area teaches players the defensive maneuvers of blocking, rolling, and guard counters, as well as how to actually attack. Knowledge is one thing, but players must actually utilize these skills in order to internalize them. Throwing one's self at a combat encounter until victory is the quickest way to do that. The game is more generous with checkpoints than its predecessors, so a trial by fire is efficient.
Character customization also ties into combat greatly. Every weapon type behaves differently, and Elden Ring's weapons can be equipped with different skills. There are many armor sets, all with different bonuses and defenses. There's also the weight limit to take into account, as equipping too heavy gear slows the player greatly. Finding the best weapon and armor for any situation is key. It is also pertinent to have multiple armor sets on hand, as switching to an armor specializing in magic defense is vital for taking on foes with spells, for instance.
Elden Ring Demands Determination
Despite all of this, beginners to Elden Ring will undoubtedly hit their first wall. This will more often than not be one of the game's early bosses: Margit, the Fell Omen; or Godrick the Grafted. If exploration and combat readiness are the first two pieces of the puzzle, the determination to overcome a demanding challenge is the third and final piece.
Elden Ring, as with all the Souls-like games before it, is known for its difficult boss fights. Margit and Godrick are no different, and serve as the first major test for Elden Ring players. It is demoralizing to walk in equipped with well-suited armor and weapons only to lose moments later, but the key is to keep pushing ahead. Players will learn more and more with every attempt.
Overcoming the first hurdle gives new players more than just an adrenaline rush; it gives them the confidence and skills to take on harder challenges. Every single boss encounter teaches players something new. This knowledge, as well as the player's muscle memory, build up rapidly, making the Lands Between seem all the more manageable.
Elden Ring is highly regarded for a reason. Its massive open world is densely packed and alive, and its combat is vast and satisfying to experiment with. The ability for new players to explore and tackle the game in the style that suits them best makes this the most accessible Souls-like game to date, and arguably one of the best gaming experiences of the last few years. If beginners have the slightest interest in Elden Ring but are nervous to take the plunge, the game is more than worth it.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
