After a long wait, Elden Ring finally has a release date, and fans are rejoicing. The new gameplay trailer of Elden Ring shows off plenty of exciting never before seen footage, including things that remind fans of games like Dark Souls. This makes many wonder if the games will actually be connected.
The Elden Ring community is on fire following the newest trailer, but there are still many questions that fans have. Many are wondering who some of the mysterious bosses are, how much of an impact the story that George R. R. Martin has written will have on the game, and what the multiplayer is within the game. But a big question is also the connection that Elden Ring does or does not have to Dark Souls. Thankfully, Bandai Namco has some of those answers.
Is Elden Ring Connected to Dark Souls?
One of the first things that fans need to recognize is that--even if Elden Rings looks similar to Dark Souls--FromSoftware often releases games in the Souls-like formula. Games like Bloodborne may look and play similarly to Dark Souls, but that does not mean it is connected, and creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has said that it is not. Secondly, a quick peek at the official Elden Ring website explains that the game is a "new fantasy world."
The website is clear in saying the creator of Dark Souls (Miyazaki) and George R. R. Martin are behind this new game, but Elden Ring takes place in a new world named the Lands Between. There appears to be plenty of new lore, mysteries, and bosses in Elden Ring to discover. Apparently, it will not be tied to Dark Souls, however.
A breakdown of the Elden Ring gameplay trailer does point to hints of Dark Souls, as the gameplay and aesthetics certainly will draw those comparisons. There will be those who say that Elden Ring looks like an open-world Dark Souls on a horse, but that does not mean the game is actually a part of the Dark Souls universe. Just like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has Dark Souls elements but is not connected to that game, Elden Rings appears to be the same.
Still, fans have been sifting through the trailer with a fine-toothed comb and making conclusions of their own. Even with the official statements from the website, many have come up with their own ideas based on what they perceive to be references from the trailers and information already provided. Up to this point, that seems to be nothing more than speculation. Right now, it seems that Elden Ring truly is its own fantasy experience.
Elden Ring releases January 22, 2022, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: BandaiNamco