Elden Ring takes place in an incredibly in-depth open-world setting that is absolutely packed with hidden secrets to discover. While the game is noticeably more fantastical and less horror-focused than previous FromSoftware Soulsborne titles, some of these secrets are still more terrifying than others. One Elden Ring player recently noticed an uncanny secret hidden in the game's ambient noise about 200 hours after they started playing.
Some of Elden Ring's game mechanics make it feel like a horror game, especially the bloodstain system that allows players to witness how other gamers have died. However, other sources of in-game fear come from the intricate soundscape and the chilling enemy designs. Still, others originate from the complex and often disturbing themes featured in the game's narrative.
Redditor finnasforealus recently shared a post featuring a short video of themself wandering through one of Elden Ring's grassy plains at night, surrounded by crucified figures. Interestingly, the figures appear to be letting out horrific screams every few seconds, though they do not react to external stimuli such as being attacked. In the accompanying text, the user stated that they'd been playing the game for 200 hours before noticing that the crucified bodies screamed at night.
Close examination reveals that the crucified bodies appear to be long dead--perhaps they were some of the first casualties in the long conflict that has scarred The Lands Between. However, death can be a complex state of affairs in FromSoftware titles, and Elden Ring appears to be no exception. If some bosses can be fought well after their deaths, it's possible that these crucifixion victims haven't quite shuffled off the mortal coil, either. Unlike the game's undead bosses, the crucified bodies appear to be helpless and immobile, able to do nothing other than scream. Twitter user Lance McDonald notes that the screaming doesn't even appear to be coming from the bodies; it just fills the air around them.
As of writing, it appears that a number of other Elden Ring fans also didn't realize where the screaming was coming from until a while into their playthroughs. One user explained that they assumed the noise was coming from an island in the swamp, while a second simply assumed it was part of the background soundscape. Finnasforealus expressed surprise to learn that the screaming can be heard all the way from the first Site of Grace location. This omnipresence may explain why some didn't realize the shrieks had a definite source.
Elden Ring is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
