Hidetaka Miyazaki has become one of gaming's most well-known designers. His Souls games went from cult-classics to a genre all in its own, inspiring countless copycats. The next game in development by FromSoftware, and headed up by Miyazaki, is Elden Ring, which is one of the more highly anticipated titles in recent memory. Elden Ring has a lot to live up to, as games like Bloodborne and Dark Souls 3 are extremely beloved, and it is following in their footsteps.

When Elden Ring was announced at E3 2019, the gaming community rejoiced. The trailer that revealed the game showed signs of something truly remarkable from Miyazaki and his team. Sekiro, the most recent game in the "Souls-like" genre from FromSoftware, was popular and well-received, but the samurai setting and fast gameplay felt like a change to the series that some didn't entirely appreciate. Elden Ring may be the game that returns to form, while still bringing new mechanics, a unique setting, and fun challenging gameplay.

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Bloodborne may be the favorite for many of the series. The goth style title maintains the deep, complex, and difficult gameplay of the Souls games, while bringing in a new quicker combat system, leaing many fans eagerly anticipating the possibility of Bloodborne 2. Elden Ring, however, can learn a lot from Bloodborne. In many ways, the title is the most accessible, deepest, prettiest, and creative of the Souls bunch. If Elden Ring can follow in the footsteps of Bloodborne, and also create its own unique path, it can be a massive success.

Fast, Responsive, and Intuitive Combat in Souls Games

bloodborne fighting

One of the best parts about the Souls games has always been the combat, as each battle with a monster feels like an epic duel, with dodging, moving, and attacking at the perfect moment being extremely satisfying. Unlike a hack-and-slash style game where enemies can be sliced through like melted butter, monsters in Bloodborne are each their own chess match, and taking one down is a mini-victory. All of this is compounded upon during boss battles, as the Bloodborne bosses are some of the most fun and challenging to fight in gaming.

Elden Ring would be smart to take after Bloodborne's combat. While Sekiro was fast, snappy, and rhythmic with its combat and the Dark Souls games are slow and methodical with their movement and fighting, Bloodborne seems to have found the happy medium. Elden Ring will be quite different from Sekiro, the combat will definitely be slower. Elden Ring needs to, of course, be its own game, but there is a game that it could lean towards in terms of fulfilling, smooth, and quicker combat, that game would be Bloodborne.

Elden Ring: Visuals and Artistic Design

elden ring trailer

If the Elden Ring trailer did anything, it confirmed that the art style of the game is unique and impressive. Without gameplay, it's not always easy to get a grasp of what a game will be in something as simple as an announcement video. But the E3 2019 Elden Ring trailer was breathtaking in artistic value alone, even if it is just conceptual in nature.

Bloodborne is one of the most beautiful games on the PS4, and the goth themed game set itself apart even from the other Souls games with an art-style that is both gorgeous and unsettling. The atmosphere that is created in the game is one of both filth and wonder, beauty and disgust, glory and horror. If Elden Ring could capture the creativity of Bloodborne within its own setting, it would help the title tremendously.

Bloodborne Creative Weaponry

bloodborne slice

The Souls series is known for its countless weapons. Bloodborne has unique and powerful weapons that are fun to use and stand out from many other games. While Elden Ring may not be able to use weapons that can double as guns or swords, as it wouldn't fit within the theme of the game, it can certainly continue the creative nature of weaponry.

Unique weapon verity can allow for different playstyles and create memorable experiences for the player. It's important to put the power in the hands of the player. Miyazaki and his team created weapons that were half sword half scythe, gigantic cutters and cleavers, and more in Bloodborne. The fact that weapons could transform and have doubling abilities was truly special, and if Elden Ring could burrow some of that creative magic, it would make it that more spectacular.

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The Chalice Dungeons (Procedurally Generated Dungeons)

bloodborne dungeon

Elden Ring will be an open world game, although it is being explained as an open field experience. It looks to be a handcrafted and specially designed world for players to explore. Thus far, the dungeons, areas, and masterfully designed landscapes, towns, and catacombs from the Souls games have made for truly remarkable places to discover. Completely overhauling that for procedurally generated dungeons probably doesn't make sense, but supplementing it could be wise, like Bloodborne did.

The Chalice Dungeons may not have been perfect, but they were still fun and creative. The procedurally generated levels allowed players to collect more variant weapons and hidden items, so there was more than enough reason to jump into the mode to give it a try. The levels were filled with monsters and a boss battle, and each time someone played the dungeon it would have new and altering level variations in store. Elden Ring could attempt to continue on the Chalice Dungeon idea and touching up any of the flaws from the Bloodborne version.

More Interesting World and Compelling Story, With The Help of George R.R. Martin

elden ring trailer

George R.R. Martin's involvement in Eden Ring cannot be understated. Martin has vaulted himself into the storytelling hierarchy thanks to the popularity of Game of Thrones, and he certainly has a way of cultivating a massive world with intricate plots, character development, and unique ideas. Bloodborne's story is compelling and the worldbuilding is truly special. The dark and grim world of Yharnam is depicted extraordinarily in Bloodborne. While the plot of some of the Souls games can be confusing to follow or simply put on the backburner behind the atmosphere and combat, Elden Ring can create a world and storyline that is intriguing to follow and more impactful.

There are many new features that Elden Ring can do to stand out and be the best Souls games to date. But on top of shooting for unique and new ideas, if Elden Ring can take some of the ideas from Bloodborne and make it its own, it has the opportunity to be special.

Elden Ring is in development for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

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