Elden Ring

[Herr der Verboten]

Fully relate to the frustration factor he refers to.

Oh, and the lack of story - not a patch on God of War's story which was genuinely compelling.

Some of his "argument" has merit while things like "you can only kill a boss with a certain build/item" does not whereas these things are clearly present in DS3 from where he draws his conclusions. However, most of seems like a sad rant to be honest*.

I mean all of the souls games are vague as **** to force you to experiment and find out yourself what is going on, what you can or can't do. It is literally one of the core things they design their souls like games around.

Further more I personally can't say that DS1 is easier than DS3, in fact I would say that DS1 is harder than DS3 while DS3 is one of the easier games. For me Elden Ring isn't harder per say it is just the way you play that sucks. Well I guess that is true for all souls like games from FromSoft, right? (lol)

If you really are new to souls then just follow a guide like fighting cowboy (youtube) and learn the ropes.

*I don't hear my SO complaining too much in a similar fashion and this is really her first souls game. If I looked at how she started and where she is now, there is clearly some good git gut going on, why I just explained to her some of the basic things like light, medium and heavy roll, not forgetting the soft limit on leveling up stats or weapon scaling. I myself had to google that / listen to fighting cowboy before making the adjustments when I played DS1.

Come to think of it; he is just ****ing lazy and would rather enjoy a ride that hold you by the hand from point a to point b. That is what I take away from his video minus the points that actually does have merit.

 

[AfricanTech]

Some of his "argument" has merit while things like "you can only kill a boss with a certain build/item" does not whereas these things are clearly present in DS3 from where he draws his conclusions. However, most of seems like a sad rant to be honest*.

I mean all of the souls games are vague as **** to force you to experiment and find out yourself what is going on, what you can or can't do. It is literally one of the core things they design their souls like games around.

Further more I personally can't say that DS1 is easier than DS3, in fact I would say that DS1 is harder than DS3 while DS3 is one of the easier games. For me Elden Ring isn't harder per say it is just the way you play that sucks. Well I guess that is true for all souls like games from FromSoft, right? (lol)

If you really are new to souls then just follow a guide like fighting cowboy (youtube) and learn the ropes.

*I don't hear my SO complaining too much in a similar fashion and this is really her first souls game. If I looked at how she started and where she is now, there is clearly some good git gut going on, why I just explained to her some of the basic things like light, medium and heavy roll, not forgetting the soft limit on leveling up stats or weapon scaling. I myself had to google that / listen to fighting cowboy before making the adjustments when I played DS1.

Come to think of it; he is just ****ing lazy and would rather enjoy a ride that hold you by the hand from point a to point b. That is what I take away from his video minus the points that actually does have merit.

Watching the first 2 videos really reinforced for me why I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to play - it's just such a bladdy grind before you're remotely ready to actually play!

It's also rather kuk that as a new player it's almost mandatory to follow a guide to start playing - anyway, I suppose that's regarded as the 'souls' experience.

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

Fully relate to the frustration factor he refers to.

Oh, and the lack of story - not a patch on God of War's story which was genuinely compelling.

It's not so much that there isn't a story it's that it is not delivered in a traditional narrative, rather through a combination of traditional cut scenes and lore garnered from item descriptions. Getting to the story is like progressing through the game itself, it requires effort. A pretty standard From affair and one that many appreciate.

- where to go next. Never knowing if the area I am in should be done now or later. Sometimes it's obvious as the enemies are much tougher but not always. I eventually just checked online to see which zone to go to next: https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Game+Progress+Route

Basic progress route is shown by Sites of Grace. The route you take to get strong enough to follow that basic route is up to you. Never feel bad about having to resort to a guide for From games if you feel you need to get the basic gist of which areas are recommended in which order.

- not knowing which NPC's to speak to in which order. Always afraid of missing quests/bosses/items. There should be an NPC quest summary telling who you've spoken to, what they need, and where they want you to go. Don't need one for the main quest as you'll eventually get there by just exploring and killing everything. But the NPC ones can be missed or screwed up.

That is the glorious things about From games. The intended replay-ability. I've always done a "blind" first playthrough followed by at least a second one (and/or NG+) where I refer to a guide like Fextralife to ensure I haven't missed anything. You shouldn't be chasing completion-ism however, you should be chasing an experience.

 

[prod]

I suppose there is the usual spoilers ahead disclaimer...

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I just can't take this oke seriously, surely he's taking the piss?

Says he doesn't know what "ER is the most approachable FS game" means, then goes on to say "ER is the least approachable". Like, how can he make that statement if he doesn't know what people mean with "approachable", but just from the top of my head, things that make the game more approachable:

1. Stakes of Marika, never been thing in previous titles
2. Way more 'bonfires' and they are clustered better than any previous title
3. Spirit summons, never been thing in previous titles
4. Literally nothing stopping you from over levelling and stomping bosses you can't beat
5. Map with custom markers, waypoints and NPC locations, never had this before afaik

Then the BS about the story, like the stories from other titles are so easy to understand If there were any truth to that hot take then people like Vaati would have no reason to exist, they literally make a living explaining the convoluted FS lore come every title. Had to stop because of spoilers and I'm not done with the game yet, but this seems like a contrarian take if anything.

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I just can't take this oke seriously, surely he's taking the piss?

Says he doesn't know what "ER is the most approachable FS game" means, then goes on to say "ER is the least approachable". Like, how can he make that statement if he doesn't know what people mean with "approachable", but just from the top of my head, things that make the game more approachable:

1. Stakes of Marika, never been thing in previous titles
2. Way more 'bonfires' and they are clustered better than any previous title
3. Spirit summons, never been thing in previous titles
4. Literally nothing stopping you from over levelling and stomping bosses you can't beat
5. Map with custom markers, waypoints and NPC locations, never had this before afaik

Then the BS about the story, like the stories from other titles are so easy to understand If there were any truth to that hot take then people like Vaati would have no reason to exist, they literally make a living explaining the convoluted FS lore come every title. Had to stop because of spoilers and I'm not done with the game yet, but this seems like a contrarian take if anything.

I suspect his video is intended to be clickbait or some lame attempt at being "otherwise" for the sake of it.

There are plenty valid criticisms one could level at the game, however those he lists as criticisms come off sounding like he expected a vast departure from certain staples that were unrealistic to expect to have changed in ER.

The claim that that it's not their most approachable title to date is just patently and demonstrably untrue...and don't get me started on him pointing to what is essentially a 'secret' boss in a secret area as a demonstration of overboard difficulty.

 

[prod]

There are plenty valid criticisms one could level at the game, however those he lists as criticisms come off sounding like he expected a vast departure from certain staples that were unrealistic to expect to have changed in ER.

Yup, well said.

 

[nazmo]

Giving it a go

 

[Herr der Verboten]

View attachment 1275174

Giving it a go

Pepare to die

 

[AfricanTech]

View attachment 1275174

Giving it a go

Tips

1. Don't try to kill the first boss that you encounter after the tutorial level.

2. Run away, a lot....

3. After lots of pointless death, follow one of the beginner guides (that cowboy guide is decent) - yes, it sucks that you HAVE to, but unless you have oodles of free time such is life.

At least the starter guides, to a large extent, only spoil Limgrave I suppose....

 

[nazmo]

Tips

1. Don't try to kill the first boss that you encounter after the tutorial level.

2. Run away, a lot....

3. After lots of pointless death, follow one of the beginner guides (that cowboy guide is decent) - yes, it sucks that you HAVE to, but unless you have oodles of free time such is life.

At least the starter guides, to a large extent, only spoil Limgrave I suppose....

Thanks. I'm definitely going to look at some guides. I don't have too much time for trial and error. Most likely I'm going to overlevel where I can.

Also the mouse keyboard support is shocking, going to have to find an Xbox controller (gave my xbox one away to my nephews. the game does run maxxed at 60 nicely though, no major issues.

 

[Sworaxe]

Tips

1. Don't try to kill the first boss that you encounter after the tutorial level.

2. Run away, a lot....

3. After lots of pointless death, follow one of the beginner guides (that cowboy guide is decent) - yes, it sucks that you HAVE to, but unless you have oodles of free time such is life.

At least the starter guides, to a large extent, only spoil Limgrave I suppose....

Yeah I don't get this...

Just play the game, learn as you go. You don't NEED a guide, just do this crazy thing called "exploring", sounds like folks are just used to Ubisoft level of obnoxious quest design. Part of the appeal is the mystery. Guides will just spoil it. By all means look something up if you get stuck but following a guide right from the start...

You do you I guess.

 

[prod]

Yeah I don't get this...

Just play the game, learn as you go. You don't NEED a guide, just do this crazy thing called "exploring", sounds like folks are just used to Ubisoft level of obnoxious quest design. Part of the appeal is the mystery. Guides will just spoil it. By all means look something up if you get stuck but following a guide right from the start...

You do you I guess.

To be fair, I've played both BB and DS3 with a guide from cowboy and it made the overall experience better for me, sometimes the feeling of hopelessness can be overwhelming in these games. Sekiro and Demon's Souls I went in blind and only used guides when I got stuck.

I also actually like referencing the wiki for NPC quests and so, reminds me of the glory days of Vanilla WoW and using that one site...forgot what it was called!

 

[nazmo]

Yeah I don't get this...

Just play the game, learn as you go. You don't NEED a guide, just do this crazy thing called "exploring", sounds like folks are just used to Ubisoft level of obnoxious quest design. Part of the appeal is the mystery. Guides will just spoil it. By all means look something up if you get stuck but following a guide right from the start...

You do you I guess.

Iv barely just been able to start gaming again (newborn twins are finally sleeping decent hours at night). so no, not everyone has time to explore. Recently i finished GOW, DL2 and Horizon.... Despite being "open world" I generally run through the game (i dont skip side missions, but i also dont ever wander , its always point to point).... So yes, I want to experience Elden Ring, but I dont have the time I used to.... so sorry im not hardcore enough for you hahaahahaaaaa

 

[Sworaxe]

Iv barely just been able to start gaming again (newborn twins are finally sleeping decent hours at night). so no, not everyone has time to explore. Recently i finished GOW, DL2 and Horizon.... Despite being "open world" I generally run through the game (i dont skip side missions, but i also dont ever wander , its always point to point).... So yes, I want to experience Elden Ring, but I dont have the time I used to.... so sorry im not hardcore enough for you hahaahahaaaaa

I am just saying I don't get the rush to complete the game. You don't have much time. So what. Nothing hardcore about just enjoying the game. Is all I'm saying.

 

[nazmo]

I am just saying I don't get the rush to complete the game. You don't have much time. So what. Nothing hardcore about just enjoying the game. Is all I'm saying.

I dont think you understand. I dont feel like too much trial and error that this will require. Ill rather learn a bit and experience the game a bit smoother. i dont RUSH games. I mean i did 60hrs in DL2. and 50hrs in Horizon. And at the end of the day, in this way, I will enjoy the game. Iv been gaming since the 80s'. probably just too old to sukkle too much lol.

 

[AfricanTech]

Yeah I don't get this...

Just play the game, learn as you go. You don't NEED a guide, just do this crazy thing called "exploring", sounds like folks are just used to Ubisoft level of obnoxious quest design. Part of the appeal is the mystery. Guides will just spoil it. By all means look something up if you get stuck but following a guide right from the start...

You do you I guess.

I'm an explorer type but honestly (and it's my first Souls game) this was genuinely next level obtuse - I spent about 40 hours getting nowhere and getting more and more frustrated - I HAD to read/watch a couple of guides since the game itself (in my opinion) discourages exploration because you die so easily.

I suppose it's also a reality that I simply don't have the raw time available to sink 100s of hours in to learn by pure trial and error.

 

[Forum Reader]

You don't really need a guide. Just pick a weapon you like, get the min stats for it and pump vitality to 40. Then you can do whatever you want. Getting your HP up quickly makes experimenting a lot more fun/easier when you're not getting one or two-shotted by everything.

The game does take long if you want to explore everything. I'm 44hrs in on my last playthrough and just cleared the 2nd main boss (Academy area). I prefer exploring everything in an area 100% before moving on to the next area. I also check an online map just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

 

[RazedInBlack]

Theres a new update out, wonder whats that about?

 

[Herr der Verboten]

You don't really need a guide. Just pick a weapon you like, get the min stats for it and pump vitality to 40. Then you can do whatever you want. Getting your HP up quickly makes experimenting a lot more fun/easier when you're not getting one or two-shotted by everything.

The game does take long if you want to explore everything. I'm 44hrs in on my last playthrough and just cleared the 2nd main boss (Academy area). I prefer exploring everything in an area 100% before moving on to the next area. I also check an online map just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

In general I think we've become overfocused (and base your decision on) on "how long to beat" vs "just enjoying the titles". I can understand that if you have limited time then you just need to cherry pick what you are going to play instead of trying to finish 10x games at the same time.

However, you can still very much enjoy any fromsoft even if you play along with a guide. I mean DS1 and DS3 was just as ****ed up fun as it would have been without them, but for Elden Ring I decided that I'm going to do whatever in whatever manner, meaning I haven't gone and looked at howlongtobeat to know I "must" take "10 hours" to finish it, but rather just log in and freely **** around at my pace.

This doesn't always work or doesn't always turn into fun when I think of path of exile. You could wing it there like I did for 700-900 hours, which was fine be cause I really do like the build simulation it provides, but realistically some people would like to run through the game in it's normal time frame and not spend hundreds of hours.

Finally, you should just go play the game in which ever manner provides you with the fun/entertainment factor you prefer (or don't); neither should anyone force you don't a tunnel they prefer. If nazmo want's to Cheat Engine it and put on a clown suit while beating everything to death with cotton candy then so what. lol.

 

[nazmo]

You don't really need a guide. Just pick a weapon you like, get the min stats for it and pump vitality to 40. Then you can do whatever you want. Getting your HP up quickly makes experimenting a lot more fun/easier when you're not getting one or two-shotted by everything.

The game does take long if you want to explore everything. I'm 44hrs in on my last playthrough and just cleared the 2nd main boss (Academy area). I prefer exploring everything in an area 100% before moving on to the next area. I also check an online map just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I can absolutely not do what you do, that much time, 100% completion. So "you dont really need a guide" is completely relevant to you, and good on you for that. second playthrough? hahahaa. last time i did a second playthrough was Doom 2016