Elden Ring
Steam Description:
THE NEW FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
Episode Summary:
Elden Ring: A Deep Dive into the Highly Anticipated Game
Elden Ring is an action role-playing game developed by From Software in collaboration with George R.R. Martin. The game features an open world with interactive gameplay elements such as fighting, looting, horseback riding, and more. Despite the hype surrounding its release, From Software initially downplayed the size and scope of the game. The Dark Souls genre, known for its challenging combat and epic boss battles, is what sets it apart from other action RPGs. For those new to the genre, Elden Ring offers a perfect balance of difficulty and satisfaction.
Open world exploration and interactive environments in Elden Ring
Elden Ring offers a new and refreshing open world experience, with carefully crafted environments that are filled with purposeful events and encounters. The game's open world is not just vast, but also interactive, with ambushes, hidden passages, and random events scattered throughout. The world feels alive and dynamic, providing a rich and immersive experience for players.
Elden Ring Combat and George R.R. Martin's involvement
The combat in Elden Ring is highly customizable and skill-based, offering a wide range of weapons and abilities. However, George R.R. Martin's involvement in the game's lore seems minimal, with the storyline lacking cohesion and depth. The combat mechanics require players to be strategic and methodical, punishing button-mashing and rewarding timing and skill. The stamina meter adds a layer of decision-making to combat, forcing players to balance offense and defense effectively. Some players may find the emphasis on skill over equipment disheartening, as armor and weapons have minimal impact on gameplay.
The Importance of Speed and Stats in Elden Ring
The summary explores the significance of speed over armor in combat and the role of stats in the game, including the impact of leveling up attributes and the scaling of weapons based on different abilities. The importance of stats in determining build and playstyle is highlighted, as well as the option to respec later in the game. The contrasting opinions on boss fights are discussed, with one individual enjoying the rhythm game aspect and the other finding it repetitive without multiplayer. The aimlessness of the open world is mentioned, with boss fights serving as guideposts, and the unique and fantastical nature of the bosses is praised.
Elden Ring Positives and Negatives
The positives of Elden Ring include its immersive open world, the feeling of trepidation and fear it evokes, impressive world building, and masterful gameplay. The game also excels in hidden paths and exploration, as well as rewarding players with the loot they see on bosses. However, criticisms include the outdated and frustrating UI, lack of a quest book, and the game's reliance on obscure mechanics and hidden information that require external research to fully grasp.
Elden Ring's Pros and Cons
The reviewers have mixed opinions about Elden Ring. Some appreciate the challenging gameplay and the expansive world, while others criticize the lack of a compelling story and technical issues with the PC port. The comment system in the game receives both praise and criticism for its repetitive jokes. Some players find the game too difficult and frustrating, while others enjoy its depth and content. The overall Steam score for Elden Ring is 86.
Elden Ring Review and Ranking
The hosts give their individual ratings for Elden Ring, with one host calling it a "shotgun wedding" and another considering it a top 10 game. They discuss its replay value, the need for guides, and its place on the leaderboard. Ultimately, they decide to rank it at number 12, above games like Grand Theft Auto Online and Warzone.
Upcoming Deep Dive on Red Dead Redemption 2
The hosts mention that their next deep dive will be on Red Dead Redemption 2, which is one of their favorite games. They encourage listeners to reach out to them on social media and mention that their Patreon supporters have the option to choose any game for them to deep dive into. The episode ends with a farewell and a reminder to listeners to have a great gaming experience.
Key Points Covered
1. Elden Ring: A Deep Dive into the Highly Anticipated Game
2. Open world exploration and interactive environments in Elden Ring
3. Elden Ring Combat and George R.R. Martin's involvement
4. The Importance of Speed and Stats in Elden Ring
5. Elden Ring Positives and Negatives
6. Elden Ring's Pros and Cons
7. Elden Ring Review and Ranking
8. Upcoming Deep Dive on Red Dead Redemption 2
Make Love, Marry, or Murder Ratings:
Paul - Marry
Josh - Marry
Michael - Marry