I’ve played Dark Souls and Sekiro and for me Dark Souls had the best story—dark, deep, and unforgettable. But Elden Ring is also another masterpiece because it takes that same feeling and makes it bigger, richer, and more open, creating a world that feels truly epic. 10/10 Masterpiece and worth every penny.

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As someone who has poured thousands of hours into the Souls series, from the interconnectivity of Dark Souls 1 to the gothic aggression of Bloodborne... I thought I knew what the peak of this genre looked like. I was wrong.

Elden Ring is not just a "sequel" in spirit; it is a paradigm shift. It takes the claustrophobic tension of a dungeon crawler and explodes it onto a canvas of epic fantasy that feels boundless. It manages to translate the "Souls" formula into an open world without diluting the difficulty or the mystery. It is, quite simply, the best game FromSoftware has ever made.

• World Design: A masterclass in verticality and scale. The map keeps expanding in ways you cannot predict.
  
• Combat Freedom: Power-stancing, jumping attacks, and Ashes of War create the most diverse build variety in the series.
  
• Visuals: Every frame looks like a Renaissance oil painting. The art direction is unmatched.
  
• Lore: George R.R. Martin’s mythos provides a grand, tragic history that makes the world feel ancient and lived-in.
  
• Boss Spectacle: Fights like Radahn and Placidusax are not just battles; they are cinematic events.

• Late Game Balancing: The difficulty spike after the capital (Mountaintops of the Giants) feels slightly overtuned.
  
• Dungeon Repetition: Some minor catacombs and caves reuse bosses and layouts a bit too often.

Most open worlds feel like flat planes populated with icons. Elden Ring's world is a vertical labyrinth. You start in Limgrave, which feels like classic high fantasy, but the moment you accidentally stumble into Caelid, the sky turns blood-red, the music shifts to a horror drone, and you realize the environment itself is trying to kill you.

The brilliance here is the lack of hand-holding. There are no quest markers, no checklists, and no "towers" to climb to reveal the map. You reveal the map by finding map fragments, often deep in dangerous territory. The discovery is organic. Finding the elevator to the Siofra River for the first time and realizing there is an entire galaxy of stars underground is a gaming memory I will never forget.


If you played Dark Souls 3, you will feel at home, but Elden Ring adds layers that change everything:

1. Ashes of War: In previous games, weapon skills were fixed. Now, you can take a Greatsword and give it a magic projectile, or a dash-step, or a gravity pull. This allows for unparalleled build creativity.
2. Spirit Summons: For solo players, the Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche act as a customizable difficulty slider. You can summon help without needing an internet connection, which makes the game more accessible without compromising the boss design for hardcore players who choose not to use them.
3. Guard Counters & Jumping: The addition of a jump button isn't just for platforming; it allows for jumping heavy attacks that break enemy stances. Guard counters make shields viable and aggressive again.


The boss roster contains some of the highest highs in gaming history.
Starscourge Radahn is a festival of war where you summon an army of NPCs to charge a demigod holding back the stars. It is chaotic, epic, and emotionally resonant.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is the ultimate test of skill. She is arguably the hardest boss FromSoftware has ever designed, demanding perfection in dodging her "Waterfowl Dance."

While there are some repeat bosses in the minor dungeons (expect to fight a few too many Erdtree Avatars), the distinct "Demigod" fights are all masterpieces of visual and mechanical design.


The collaboration with George R.R. Martin is evident in the history of the world, the political intrigue between the demigods, the shattering of the Ring, and the tragic fall of Queen Marika's lineage. It gives the world a sense of "history" that feels grounded despite the high fantasy setting.

Musically, the score shifts from the quiet, ambient tracks of exploration to bombastic, terrifying orchestral pieces during combat. The theme that plays when you enter the capital city, Leyndell, captures the majesty and sorrow of a fallen empire perfectly.


Elden Ring is a triumph. It respects your intelligence, rewards your curiosity, and punishes your hubris. It captures the feeling of a grand adventure better than any game in the last twenty years. If you are a fan of the genre, this is the game you have been waiting for. If you are new, this is the best place to start.


A sprawling, beautiful, and terrifying masterpiece that redefines what an open-world game can be. Essential playing for anyone who loves video games.