Elden Ring seamlessly blends elements from two of my favorite games, Dark Souls and Breath of the Wild, making it an instant success in my eyes. However, while the game excels in many aspects, there are some areas where I wish it had learned more from Breath of the Wild's successes and failures.

One aspect that stood out to me is the placement of dungeons. Unlike Breath of the Wild, where dungeons are integrated into the landscape in a more natural way, Elden Ring often hides them in caves or near walls. This design choice can feel frustrating for completionists, as it encourages hugging every wall like in old FPS games. Additionally, the dungeons themselves can feel repetitive due to the lack of enemy variety and diverse interior designs.

Despite these drawbacks, I don't entirely agree with criticisms of the dungeon rewards. While some may argue that the rewards lack variety, I appreciate that they always offer something new and different. However, for those who rely on guides to obtain specific items, this may pose a problem as it diminishes the incentive to explore dungeons organically.

Where Elden Ring truly shines is in its vast and breathtaking world. The variety of environments is unparalleled, surpassing even the most acclaimed open-world games. Furthermore, the bosses, when not recycled from lesser enemies, are some of FromSoftware's most memorable creations. Characters like Starscourge Radahn and Malenia Blade of Miquella stand out as highlights in a game filled with challenging encounters and are some of the best From Software bosses ever.

Overall, Elden Ring isn't without its flaws, but it takes no missteps in its journey. For me, it shows that we can look forward for a bright future in souls like games.

Elden Ring seamlessly blends elements from two of my favorite games, Dark Souls and Breath of the Wild, making it an instant success in my eyes. However, while the game excels in many aspects, there are some areas where I wish it had learned more from Breath of the Wild's successes and failures. One aspect that stood out to me is the placement of dungeons. Unlike Breath of the Wild, where dungeons are integrated into the landscape in a more natural way, Elden Ring often hides them in caves or near walls. This design choice can feel frustrating for completionists, as it encourages hugging every wall like in old FPS games. Additionally, the dungeons themselves can feel repetitive due to the lack of enemy variety and diverse interior designs. Despite these drawbacks, I don't entirely agree with criticisms of the dungeon rewards. While some may argue that the rewards lack variety, I appreciate that they always offer something new and different. However, for those who rely on guides to obtain specific items, this may pose a problem as it diminishes the incentive to explore dungeons organically. Where Elden Ring truly shines is in its vast and breathtaking world. The variety of environments is unparalleled, surpassing even the most acclaimed open-world games. Furthermore, the bosses, when not recycled from lesser enemies, are some of FromSoftware's most memorable creations. Characters like Starscourge Radahn and Malenia Blade of Miquella stand out as highlights in a game filled with challenging encounters and are some of the best From Software bosses ever. Overall, Elden Ring isn't without its flaws, but it takes no missteps in its journey. For me, it shows that we can look forward for a bright future in souls like games.