Elden Ring - Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Announced

[SuperCapes]

1 hour ago, the_debaser said:

The environment in BOTW was an interactive playground, it encouraged experimentation with the games unparalleled mechanics, this is just an ugly place where you kill enemies.
 

In BOTW you could create fires to give you an upward gust of wind which meant you could then jump with the glider and arrow attack enemies from the sky. You could roll boulders down hills and destroy enemy placements. You could look at something in the distance, and climb it to see what’s on the other side and glide somewhere else. You could snowboard down hills and then jump on enemies heads to kill them. You can use water to create ice blocks to traverse across. 
 

This just feels like a shooting gallery in comparison. The environment is there but you can only slowly lumber around it with your character until you find yet another enemy to kill. It’s no step forward for the genre. 
 

Now thats not to say it’s bad, but it decided to put itself up against the best game ever. 

 

 

Unchallenging to a fault. Boring rewards, rendering the exploration nigh on pointless. 10 enemy types recoloured throughout, and the most boring environment and boss design I have ever seen in a Nintendo game. 

 

The game is a toolbox of wonders for sure, but it falls short in many areas. It sacrificed alot of what made Zelda so special, even if many found that old formula stale. 

 

I would rather be in a world that challenges and intrigues me, than one that gives me five options from the get go and says... Try some physics?

 

The only comparison between those world's is the open world, and to say it's an ugly place where you hit things could not be further from the truth. You have to think about where to go, and what you feel comfortable with. That question to yourself, is more valuable to me, then using a shield to barrel down a mountain, or freeze some water. 

 

But I still thought BOTW was alright, and can see why people enjoy it. Just let people enjoy ER in this thread without going on like it's a basically just hitting enemies in the face in a dull world. Could not be further from the truth. 

[MrCarrot]

3 minutes ago, koefoed said:

I just managed to clear the first camp! 😆

The Halbard was a better option against the Captain, although it took all 5 flasks to get it done.

 

But I am still not sure how the progression works in this. On my Confessor I got a NPC on returning to the first shop guy, gave me a summoning spell of some sort. But when I return on my Vagabond nothing happens. Not sure if there is something I need to do or if it is a class thing?

 

You have to

 

Spoiler

fast travel there at night time for that to happen, apparently.

[Mike S]

Finally put a few hours into this and it really is rather wonderful.

 

The Wretch life is tough though so I've spent most of my time running away from things. Worst was being leapt on by a giant, running up a hill to escape, finding a nice quiet field and then encountering a REAL giant. Ran away and was mobbed to death by wolves. 

 

I bought a few pieces of chainmail and pillaged a helmet from a soldier but sadly cannot wear any of them as I presume there is a level requirement and I'm still a lowly Level 1. I've also been given the horse but forgot how to equip it so will need to look that up before I play again later.

Currently slightly overwhelmed by the huge choice on where to explore next. Either way I am sure I will encounter a rapid death or enjoy some running away.

 

 

[Minion]

Fuck I'm too hung over to play this today

[Ste Pickford]

I'm finding the different reactions to this game fascinating.  Very little inbetween, almost all awestruck love or befuddled hate.  I'm on a game developer forum and most of the reactions over there (from non Souls veterans) are generally 'this is bad design' for not following the template of standard open world map-moppers.

 

The befuddled reactions are reminding me a lot of my first experiences with Dark Souls.  Looking back I can't remember why I stuck with it, as I wasn't enjoying it, and getting absolutely nowhere for hours.  I wasn't online at the time (so no hints), and for some reason I didn't look at any online guides. I think I must have heard other people talking about how great at was so stuck with it to find out what the hell they liked about it. I hated the slowness, the clunky combat, the difficulty, and had no idea what I was doing or why.  It must have taken me about 10-12 hours, over several days, to get to the end of the Undead Burg, only to be instantly destroyed by a boss that seemed impossible to kill.  And then I had to fight my way to the boss every time I wanted it to kill me again?  Terrible, old-fashioned game design.  What a piece of crap.

 

I went through that painful death after death after death until I learned how to dance past the Undead Burg monsters without a scratch, and I think that run to the first boss was when the game finally clicked with me, and I understood it wasn't trying to do the same thing that 95% of the games industry was obsessed with, and I embraced the difference.

 

To be honest, I still hate any long runs to failed boss fights, and would be happy if they never appeared again, but I love that these games do their own thing, on their own terms.

This post was brought to you by my lack of Elden Ring, as the postman still hasn't been.

[Captain Kelsten]

So far no long runs to bosses in this, there’s a spawn point nearby every time. 

[shirubagan]

Went exploring. Got murdered by a 20-foot bear. Standard. 

[scottcr]

I keep getting network connection failed problems on Xbox. Is that the same for everyone?

[carlospie]

Yep. Servers overloaded apparently

[Alan Stock]

Best employers ever:

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-26-japanese-development-studio-gives-staff-paid-time-off-to-play-elden-ring

[Dave White]

 Totally  overwhelmed with how incredible this is. Considering I managed to never see any videos it’s beyond what I had hoped for. 
 

Learning margits patterns at the moment. 

[Sun Tze]

Started this last night. Explanatory pop ups every few feet. Small, nearly unreadable font forcing me to leave the couch and squint in front of the TV. Clearly everything else is looking and feeling good so this was very frustrating. That said, very excited to continue exploring, the world is clearly very pretty and huge and everything not UI related feels great. Not easily being able to read item descriptions in a From game is filling me with dread though. 

[Klatrymadon]

Just went back and killed 

Spoiler

Margit! Used my jellyfish and an offline summon to help, and they lasted just long enough to let me get a couple of cheap backstabs/viscerals in. It was bloody terrifying when they died and he finally turned to me, but I hung in there.

 

I've barely levelled up at all, so I feel like this boss is there not to send newbies packing, but to make sure you're well-equipped and are making use of the items you've found, or should have found...

 

[Mortis]

So a bit of exploring late last night and I found 

Spoiler

A cliff side path that appears to have brought me out in the area after Margit. Found someone who will sell me a few crappy spells. Wandered a bit, killed some bell ringing spellcasters and then got hammered by their poison spittting big brother. 

just looking at the world in the distance and realising I will be able to visit every one of the places on the horizon makes me feel small and weak. 

[Strafe]

I’m playing on PS5 (the PS5 version). Can anyone see any difference between the performance and fidelity modes aside from

framerate?

[Curtis]

Playing this game for 14 hours straight clearly takes it out of ya. Thats the best sleep I've had in ages!

 

I did dream about my build though, and what direction i want to take. So today we realise that dream...after coffee.

[Janski]

It's like every single enemy has an extra attack right when you think it's your chance to get some hits in 🤣

[Colonel Panic]

2 hours ago, Harrisown said:

No that spell is great. Fire it off and kite your enemy to get hit in the back.

must be locked on though

 

2 hours ago, PeteJ said:

No way, the spell is awesome in my limited experience of these things! Remember it can be charged up like a melee attack by holding the button...

The first two bosses I faced (one in a cave and another in a catacombs) I got 75% down just through the spell.

Alright, I’ll try with the kiting! Maybe I’m just stuck in my Dark Souls ways!

[Captain Kelsten]

Oh, I don’t think the game tells you this, so for clarity: you can sprint by holding down the dodge button (B/circle). Works whilst on your horse, too. 

[NecroMorrius]

36 minutes ago, Ste Pickford said:

I'm finding the different reactions to this game fascinating.  Very little inbetween, almost all awestruck love or befuddled hate.  I'm on a game developer forum and most of the reactions over there (from non Souls veterans) are generally 'this is bad design' for not following the template of standard open world map-moppers.

 

The befuddled reactions are reminding me a lot of my first experiences with Dark Souls.  Looking back I can't remember why I stuck with it, as I wasn't enjoying it, and getting absolutely nowhere for hours.  I wasn't online at the time (so no hints), and for some reason I didn't look at any online guides. I think I must have heard other people talking about how great at was so stuck with it to find out what the hell they liked about it. I hated the slowness, the clunky combat, the difficulty, and had no idea what I was doing or why.  It must have taken me about 10-12 hours, over several days, to get to the end of the Undead Burg, only to be instantly destroyed by a boss that seemed impossible to kill.  And then I had to fight my way to the boss every time I wanted it to kill me again?  Terrible, old-fashioned game design.  What a piece of crap.

 

I went through that painful death after death after death until I learned how to dance past the Undead Burg monsters without a scratch, and I think that run to the first boss was when the game finally clicked with me, and I understood it wasn't trying to do the same thing that 95% of the games industry was obsessed with, and I embraced the difference.

 

To be honest, I still hate any long runs to failed boss fights, and would be happy if they never appeared again, but I love that these games do their own thing, on their own terms.

This post was brought to you by my lack of Elden Ring, as the postman still hasn't been.

I only wish it was playable enough to form an opinion. I’ve given up on the PC version and ordered the PS4 version.

[Curtis]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

Oh, I don’t think the game tells you this, so for clarity: you can sprint by holding down the dodge button (B/circle). Works whilst on your horse, too. 

You don't have to hold down it on your horse. Just press once to gallop.

[spanx]

Another useful tip, keep your crimson flask in the first spot in your quick inventory, holding down rather than tapping gets you straight to happy health healing mode. 
 

Only found that out this morning… no more panic spinning past it ever again

[Benny]

I'm avoiding following this thread obviously as this game clearly rewards endless self discovery and I'm not going to risk spoilers, but a few things:

 

It's incredible.

 

There are terrible performance issues on PC (which is almost nostalgic for when I played the first version of Dark Souls) - but fortunately that hasn't affected my enjoyment as stutters are just when "loading" between areas it looks like.

 

The new message lexicon is excellent. But every single one is basically someone saying there is a hidden door by every wall. Lol, such japes. Such rump.

 

New players who clearly don't understand the duelling etiquette were healing during summoned fights in the Church of Elleh. God, kids these days. At least they bowed. Apart from the mage prick who hid behind the pillar by the shopkeeper. Prick.

 

This is like Dark Souls and Breath of the Wild had a beautiful, terrifying child. The map is ripped right out of BotW and I'm not complaining.

 

Why did no previous open world games let you double jump on horseback.

 

And finally, a moment right at the start when I realised this is basically Dark Souls 4 and I was "home":

 

Spoiler

I left a message under a pot just to the left of the door right at the start, before you go out into the open area.

 

It went all the way up to exactly 69 likes and stayed there. Nice.

It just says: "Seek pickle"  

 

[moosegrinder]

45 minutes ago, shirubagan said:

20-foot bear

 

Slamcore band name, right there.

[pledge]

51 minutes ago, Ste Pickford said:

I'm on a game developer forum and most of the reactions over there (from non Souls veterans) are generally 'this is bad design' for not following the template of standard open world map-moppers.

That's quite disappointing that they'd not be more open minded.

[Dark Soldier]

Spent most of yesterday basically being unable to die. Placed a message the minute it launched and all day yesterday every 15 seconds or so I was getting full heals as it was constantly upvoted.

 

Ended up with like 900 positive reactions. Never had that before, small sense of pride washed over to me. Then a boss one shot me.

[koefoed]

I still haven't ventured outside the first church thingy and the first camp. Found some wolves and their leader which I actually managed to kill! I am guessing going through the gate north of the first camp is of limits for the time being? I can't survive for more than 15 seconds. 😬

[Davros sock drawer]

25 minutes ago, spanx said:

Another useful tip, keep your crimson flask in the first spot in your quick inventory, holding down rather than tapping gets you straight to happy health healing mode. 
 

Only found that out this morning… no more panic spinning past it ever again

To add to this, I only just found out about the Pouch menu. It’s here, and you access it in-game by holding triangle, then a D-pad direction:

 

 

Before then I’d had my horse whistle on the same d-pad menu as my flask and you can guess what kept happening.

 

If anyone is struggling with remembering tutorial stuff, they’re all in the notes part of your inventory 

 

 

Sorry for iPhone pix

[John0]

MtFO is dowwwnnnn yessss 

 

Tip for anyone struggling:

 

Spoiler

The jellyfish is extremely helpful

 

[Davros sock drawer]

10 minutes ago, koefoed said:

I still haven't ventured outside the first church thingy and the first camp. Found some wolves and their leader which I actually managed to kill! I am guessing going through the gate north of the first camp is of limits for the time being? I can't survive for more than 15 seconds. 😬

Everywhere is “Survivable”. Remember you can always run past enemies (hold circle). You might find some juicy loot, which you’ll keep even if you die, or you might stumble upon a bonfire (grace thingy).

 

Don’t be scared to go on suicide runs. The whole design ethos is that you die repeatedly but the trick is to die with something gained, either knowledge, skills, loot, or just environmental research.