The excitement around Elden Ring's release demonstrates that FromSoftware is a hugely popular developer with many influential features in its games. But Elden Ring may also be many players' first FromSoftware game, and it appears as though its director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has designed certain features in Elden Ring to reflect that.

Elden Ring is reportedly designed to avoid player stress, with many newcomers to its unique style of gameplay in mind. Recently, Miyazaki was interviewed by PlayStation to address some final thoughts before Elden Ring releases next month. When asked what advice he may have for any potential newcomers to the Souls formula FromSoftware is known for, Miyazaki reveals a previously undisclosed class type that will be featured in Elden Ring.

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Miyazaki wishes for Elden Ring to be an openly accessible RPG to all players, and declares that players "can approach it however they like" in terms of which class they select. Only five of Elden Ring's character classes were revealed and playable for its closed network tests, which included the Warrior, Enchanted Knight, Prophet, Champion, and Bloody Wolf. However, Miyazaki suggests that "the most difficult starting class" would be the Wretch, one of Elden Ring's previously unannounced classes, which he alternatively describes as "the naked one."

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FromSoftware fans will be fairly familiar with this character class from previous titles, though it has been offered under different names. Dark Souls' Deprived class and Bloodborne's Waste of Skin class, for example, are particularly difficult classes to start a fresh save file as because they have inferior equipment and poorer base stats than any other classes. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Wretch class will also feature the same lackluster qualities that players can choose to avoid if they wish.

Rather, if players seek a challenge, these classes offer full freedom toward the player's stat allocation as they level up. But they ultimately make the player's experience more difficult at the start, which is why Miyazaki recommends that newcomers avoid the Wretch in Elden Ring if they are unfamiliar with previous FromSoftware titles. Still, it is exciting for fans that it will make a return in FromSoftware's latest character customization as an extension of their personal play-style.

With less than a month before Elden Ring's launch, there are still many secrets to discover and learn when players finally get their hands on it. Miyazaki's interview with PlayStation discusses the desire for Elden Ring to be accessible to fans new and old, and its brand new open-world setting should set the stage for a "sense of adventure" unlike previous FromSoftware titles.

Elden Ring launches February 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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Source: PlayStation Blog