Once, Elden Ring seemed like a dream that was never going to happen. After its teaser at E3 2019, Elden Ring went silent for over 700 days, but that wait has finally come to an end. With a proper trailer recently showcased and a release date set for early 2022, the floodgates have finally opened.
Now, more details regarding Elden Ring's gameplay have appeared online thanks to an update to Bandai Namco's website. These updates reveal a couple new gameplay mechanics that are sure to change up the formula, while adding details to some other features like Elden Ring's horseback riding. First spotted by Pure Xbox, these new gameplay details will likely just be a morsel for fans until it appears at another showcase.
Perhaps the biggest reveal is the use of weather. It was already known to include a dynamic weather system, but according to the Bandai Namco site, every aspect of the environment, weather, and time of day can be used to an Elden Ring player's advantage. It's hard to parse out what this is exactly, but it's worth noting that the proper Elden Ring reveal trailer saw an enemy dragon catch a lightning bolt and throw it at the player.
It's doubtful that it's something that grand, but gaining buffs, abilities, or something of the sort based on the weather in Elden Ring sounds like a big deal. Environment and time of day could apply to Elden Ring's stealth mechanics, as stealth may be easier at night than it is during the day. It remains to be seen, but "environment," "time of day," and "weather" may be something every player should keep an eye on.
Furthermore, the new mentions include dozens of skills, stealth, and dodge and parries. Many think Elden Ring combat is set up to be faster paced than Dark Souls, and this may imply as much. At least fans know these are returning alongside new details like using a steed to "cut [mercenaries] from their horses," learning arcane spells from those who remain behind after the war, and the ability to summon spirits/fellow Tarnished to their side.
All of this sounds exciting, yet many fans are likely waiting for a longer gameplay reveal ahead of the release. Thus far, Elden Ring has been compared to everything from Bloodborne to Demon's Souls, and a more in-depth dive may separate out whether Elden Ring is just big Dark Souls or is a more Dark Souls-esque Sekiro.
Elden Ring releases January 21, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Source: Bandai Namco (via Pure Xbox)
