FromSoftware, the studio responsible for Sekiro, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls series, is set to release its latest game in February. Titled Elden Ring, the game will take players to the realm of the Lands Between which is under the control of the demigod children of Queen Marika the Eternal. Each of the children has a piece of the Elden Ring, and it has tarnished them with its power. Players must restore the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord.
Like previous games from FromSoftware, Elden Ring will be a challenging game. Plenty of close-ranged combat will be necessary to take on the fearsome foes that players will encounter. Players will also have to make use of magic and grapple with limited stamina. However, players do not have to go on the journey alone. The game will feature multiplayer elements accessible to both kind and malevolent players. A lot has been revealed about the game's multiplayer elements which include PvP, co-op, and invasions.
PvP Elements of Elden Ring
Traveling through the Elden Ring's vast map will expose players to many powerful foes and unexpected dangers. War rages on in the Lands Between due to the squabbles between the daughters of Queen Marika the Eternal. It will take preparation, smart thinking, and precise gameplay to overcome the monsters of the Lands Between. Some challenges will come from other players.
Players will be able to engage in honorable duels with other players. To do this, players will have to use an item called the Duelist's Furled Finger to make a red summoning sign on the ground. If other players choose to, they can accept the challenge and engage in a duel. The winner gets Rune Fragments, a form of in-game currency. Players wishing to the take dishonorable route can use the Bloody Finger to invade the worlds of other players and take their Rune Fragments. This is a risky maneuver, as players can find themselves invading the world of a well-prepared opponent. If players are having a hard time with invaders, they can make use of a White Cipher Ring, which calls on other players to help. Only players who own a Blue Cipher Ring can be summoned in this manner.
Elden Ring Will Have Co-op Elements Too
If Elden Ring players are looking for a partner to help them with difficult battles, or just want someone to go exploring with, they can consume a Furlcalling Finger Remedy. These are available in limited supply, so players should use them only when needed. Consuming a Furlcalling Finger Remedy will allow players to see the golden summoning signs of other players. Stepping on the golden signs will allow players to summon other players as guests. Players who wish to be summoned must have a Tarnished Furled Finger. Using the Tarnished Furled finger will allow players to put a golden sign on the ground. Unlike Furlcalling Finger Remedies, Tarnished Furled Fingers are given to all players at the start of the game. They are not consumable and can be used infinitely.
Players who are guests in another player's world will appear as Guardian Spirits. Becoming a Guardian Spirit is not merely an act of kindness, because players will have the opportunity to earn Rune Fragments when bosses are defeated. There are some limitations to being a Guardian Spirit, as they cannot make progression in quests or open treasure chests. Guardians are also unable to save at Sites of Grace, which have the same functions as bonfires in previous FromSoftware games.
Having Guardian Spirits around can be extremely useful. Elden Ring will have a large map with lots of places to explore including catacombs, dungeons, fortresses, swamps, and castles. As game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has explained, although the game will begin linearly, players will eventually be allowed to wander the Lands Between. Keeping a few experienced players around can help make the journey feel less lonely, and it will make dealing with powerful bosses a little less punishing.
Guardian Spirits who die in battle will be sent back to their own world. Players can also use an item called the Finger Severer to dismiss co-op partners from their world. However, the item will not work on invaders. If players just want to play with their friends instead of random strangers, they can also use password protection which is accessible in the game's multiplayer menu. Although the game is not cross-platform, it is cross-gen, meaning that players on PS5 will be able to play with gamers on PS4, and players on Xbox Series X/S will be able to play with gamers on Xbox One.
Some players have gotten a taste of Elden Ring's multiplayer elements through the Closed Network Test which took place from November 12 to November 14. Reviews of the CNT sessions have been mostly positive. Comparing the game to older FromSoftware titles, a Screen Rant reviewer stated that co-op "works just as well as it always has, and is even more accessible for both the summoner and the summoned." A GameSkinny reviewer stated that "having co-op partners is still one of the best ways to bring some levity to the challenge present in a Souls-like."
With George R.R. Martin serving as one of the game's writers alongside games industry veteran Miyazaki, Elden Ring is sure to have an engaging story to complement the gameplay. Elden Ring features many elements that set it apart from previous FromSoftware games, including the ability to mount a horse to traverse picturesque landscapes. Players will also be able to use stealth instead of facing foes head-on. Although the game has made some departure from the model used by most FromSoftware games, it brings enough interesting new elements to appease both newcomers and long-time series fans.
Elden Ring is scheduled to release on February 25, 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
