ELDEN RING is a beautiful game albeit very challenging. It takes a lot of the core elements from previous FROM Software games merges it with open world dynamics and results in a more approachable and engaging experience. I've tried the previous games FROM has produced and couldn't stick with them, finding them too difficult and limiting with the relatively linear story progression, ELDEN RING changes this dynamic.

There's still a high degree of difficulty, especially with the bosses, but if you're having trouble you can instead choose to go off and do some more exploring and powering up. I've really enjoyed the multiplayer system as well, which doesn't stray far from what's been done in the past FROM Software games. You can choose to play offline and entirely treat the game as a single player experience, but you would be missing out on some of the great interactions and sense of accomplishment you get from teaming up and having others assist you, or vice versa. PVP does play a part with world invasions from other players if in a multiplayer coop session (you can't be invaded if you're not in coop and don't have the Taunter's Tongue active), but I've found that the odds of success heavily weigh in the favor of folks defending from attack especially if you purchase the White Cipher Ring and activate it to automatically request Hunter support. You can even volunteer to become a Hunter making yourself available to support others once you acquire the Blue Cipher Ring and activate it.

I was skeptical initially, didn't buy into all the hype with early reviews and Twitch streamers raving about the game, but I eventually decided to take a look and form my own opinion. I wasn't disappointed, the hype is real. I spent over 110 hours playing this game in my first two weeks, which was a little nuts considering I still had to go to work. No regrets, would do it all over again. Have started my next New Game journey to try find the things I missed before in first play through.

Highly recommend you check it out!

ELDEN RING is a beautiful game albeit very challenging. It takes a lot of the core elements from previous FROM Software games merges it with open world dynamics and results in a more approachable and engaging experience. I've tried the previous games FROM has produced and couldn't stick with them, finding them too difficult and limiting with the relatively linear story progression, ELDEN RING changes this dynamic. There's still a high degree of difficulty, especially with the bosses, but if you're having trouble you can instead choose to go off and do some more exploring and powering up. I've really enjoyed the multiplayer system as well, which doesn't stray far from what's been done in the past FROM Software games. You can choose to play offline and entirely treat the game as a single player experience, but you would be missing out on some of the great interactions and sense of accomplishment you get from teaming up and having others assist you, or vice versa. PVP does play a part with world invasions from other players if in a multiplayer coop session (you can't be invaded if you're not in coop and don't have the Taunter's Tongue active), but I've found that the odds of success heavily weigh in the favor of folks defending from attack especially if you purchase the White Cipher Ring and activate it to automatically request Hunter support. You can even volunteer to become a Hunter making yourself available to support others once you acquire the Blue Cipher Ring and activate it. I was skeptical initially, didn't buy into all the hype with early reviews and Twitch streamers raving about the game, but I eventually decided to take a look and form my own opinion. I wasn't disappointed, the hype is real. I spent over 110 hours playing this game in my first two weeks, which was a little nuts considering I still had to go to work. No regrets, would do it all over again. Have started my next New Game journey to try find the things I missed before in first play through. Highly recommend you check it out!