Worst souls game for replaying.

[Rootin']

I've replayed elden ring a few times now and I gotta say, its probably the worst the second and subsequent times around. The whole massive world is cool and all, exploring new sights and items. But really, it feels like a checklist. "I gotta go do this, then this, then I gotta get this item, then I gotta do this and this and this..."

the more linear games, though there is still some of the checklist nature, it at least *feels* like re-experiencing the adventure. Rather than having to go through a checklist again. I'm more than willing to replay DS3 twelve times, but after 1 full playthrough, 1 seamless playthrough, 2 characters that only made it halfway through the game, and a couple failed seamless playthroughs, I can't even get the initiative in me to play the DLC.

This post isn't really meant to accomplish anything. I just wanted to share my opinion.

[Krazy Wallet]

I do agree that the replayability is different in Elden Ring compared to prior titles. I was far more likely to do a NG+1 or NG+2 in DS3, but I've only done it once in Elden RIng in my 1000 hours. I think it has more to do with the amount of time it takes to finish a playthrough. At that point, sinking 30ish hours, I'm ready for a new build and experience rather than doing a victory lap. With the DLC included that surely adds another 10-15 hours, I imagine that feeling will only be magnified.

With that being said, replayability of NG is immense with all the weapons and various builds you can do. I've easily done 15 different builds including challenge builds at this point. I've absolutely prioritized the areas and dungeons I've enjoyed. Not using spirit ashes, I almost never do any catacombs and typically skip the second half of volcano manner and just use the tarnish hunting to get to Rykard. FIgure out what you find fun and focus on that.

[Senki]

Well even though my many hours in the game might be a contradiction, I agree. It's more of a slog to replay than the others

Main reason I have so many hours honestly is because there was a period when I couldn't find any other game that I liked so I just played this one again and again when I had free time. Especially in 2022 that year had nothing

I will say the one thing that massively helps replayability in this one is that the build variety is significantly better and more fun

[Freak4Leeks]

It only feels like a checklist if you play it like one, sure I know where everything is but I still play slow and just wander around and do things when I do. That is the great thing, it's open world, do you want to collect 20 seeds and 20 sacred tears before facing the first boss, sure go ahead but no one is forcing that on you.

[Rootin']

Originally posted by Freak4Leeks:

It only feels like a checklist if you play it like one, sure I know where everything is but I still play slow and just wander around and do things when I do. That is the great thing, it's open world, do you want to collect 20 seeds and 20 sacred tears before facing the first boss, sure go ahead but no one is forcing that on you.

its more like checking off the six gold seeds in X area because I have to finish it all before I forget and move on so I don't miss anything.

Of course, nobody is forcing me to do anything. But playing through the game without collecting everything hurts more than the slow grind of getting every useless spirit ash.

Looking at the other replies I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way, even if other people have different reasons for feeling this way.

[DreadLordAvatar]

Correct OP. ER is a great adventure/exploration game but there is no end game mechanic to truly make this game special. There is no build depth. That is why it is a solid 6/10. It's just FROM's old game design in an open world but all the fan bois go goo goo ga ga. Another reason the DLC is a $5 value, more of the same, nothing new to expand base game replay value.

[Rootin']

Originally posted by DreadLordAvatar:

Correct OP. ER is a great adventure/exploration game but there is no end game mechanic to truly make this game special. There is no build depth. That is why it is a solid 6/10. It's just FROM's old game design in an open world but all the fan bois go goo goo ga ga. Another reason the DLC is a $5 value, more of the same, nothing new to expand base game replay value.

I think thats a bit drastic. Its still a very good game the first time around.

[Despiser]

Originally posted by Rootin':

I've replayed elden ring a few times now and I gotta say, its probably the worst the second and subsequent times around. The whole massive world is cool and all, exploring new sights and items. But really, it feels like a checklist. "I gotta go do this, then this, then I gotta get this item, then I gotta do this and this and this..."

the more linear games, though there is still some of the checklist nature, it at least *feels* like re-experiencing the adventure. Rather than having to go through a checklist again. I'm more than willing to replay DS3 twelve times, but after 1 full playthrough, 1 seamless playthrough, 2 characters that only made it halfway through the game, and a couple failed seamless playthroughs, I can't even get the initiative in me to play the DLC.

This post isn't really meant to accomplish anything. I just wanted to share my opinion.

It's not just this game or even games in general. Rereading a book or rewatching a movie brings a similar familiarity. For this reason I never play NG+, not until there's some kind of dynamic questing system and that flies in the face of developers financial interests so probably not going to happen. Most current games might add a couple new quests, powerful gear, cosmetics etc. one exception may be if I haven't played a game in so long I have little recollection of my first playthrough. Also, I have many untouched games in my library it makes no sense to replay one already finished.

[Server Jester]

Originally posted by Despiser:

Originally posted by Rootin':

I've replayed elden ring a few times now and I gotta say, its probably the worst the second and subsequent times around. The whole massive world is cool and all, exploring new sights and items. But really, it feels like a checklist. "I gotta go do this, then this, then I gotta get this item, then I gotta do this and this and this..."

the more linear games, though there is still some of the checklist nature, it at least *feels* like re-experiencing the adventure. Rather than having to go through a checklist again. I'm more than willing to replay DS3 twelve times, but after 1 full playthrough, 1 seamless playthrough, 2 characters that only made it halfway through the game, and a couple failed seamless playthroughs, I can't even get the initiative in me to play the DLC.

This post isn't really meant to accomplish anything. I just wanted to share my opinion.

It's not just this game or even games in general. Rereading a book or rewatching a movie brings a similar familiarity. For this reason I never play NG+, not until there's some kind of dynamic questing system and that flies in the face of developers financial interests so probably not going to happen. Most current games might add a couple new quests, powerful gear, cosmetics etc. one exception may be if I haven't played a game in so long I have little recollection of my first playthrough. Also, I have many untouched games in my library it makes no sense to replay one already finished.

I still dont get why only Dark Souls 2 had the idea of making NG+ different with the red phantom enemies, vs the rest of the series where its a curbstomp until sometime mid game, like in DS1 where its an easy curbstomp until Ornstein and Smough.

In the case of rewatching movies or books, atleast theres some movies where you can rewatch it and see it differently or notice new things, like Coraline or Falling Down

[Despiser]

Originally posted by Server Jester:

Originally posted by Despiser:

It's not just this game or even games in general. Rereading a book or rewatching a movie brings a similar familiarity. For this reason I never play NG+, not until there's some kind of dynamic questing system and that flies in the face of developers financial interests so probably not going to happen. Most current games might add a couple new quests, powerful gear, cosmetics etc. one exception may be if I haven't played a game in so long I have little recollection of my first playthrough. Also, I have many untouched games in my library it makes no sense to replay one already finished.

I still dont get why only Dark Souls 2 had the idea of making NG+ different with the red phantom enemies, vs the rest of the series where its a curbstomp until sometime mid game, like in DS1 where its an easy curbstomp until Ornstein and Smough.

In the case of rewatching movies or books, atleast theres some movies where you can rewatch it and see it differently or notice new things, like Coraline or Falling Down

If you enjoyed it you'll likely enjoy watching it a few more times but the experience is different, like zoning in on your favourite parts. But with games doing the same quests can be a chore, especially when you already meta. Or if they have elements in them that are tedious. Trying out different builds is why some NG+ but larval tears kind of nip that purpose. Another way is running different characters, I suppose for the purpose of exchanging gear.

[Krampus]

Going NG+ at lvl 200 and watching the mimic tear fk everything up with the new weapons is fun 👍

[Humpenstilzchen]

The game is just way too big. It gets very tiring after a while.

[Spacesuit Spiff]

Agreed. I finally tried a mage build and got like 80% of the important stuff with barely any fighting. DkS1 was also like this (every new run you'd use the master key to grab up stuff off the ground in the back-channels) but navigating a tight metroidvania-style map feels more engaging than running errands in a giant field.

And then you decide to ignore some side-stuff and end up wondering where some crucial item is for the whole playthrough.

Idk it's one of the ways FS design doesn't translate to OW as much as I'd want. Like how you're meant to figure out the character quests over many playthroughs. Nothing to be done about it really.

[Burns]

OP I haven t read the other comments so I m sorry if this is just a repetition but here it goes. I felt the same about the base game by NG+ 4 or 5, but the truth is that is nowhere near the amount of times I ve played Ds1 and 3 and BB.

The DLC is not the base game. You ll miss the best part by no playing it. That s just my opinion but having felt something similar to your experience after a couple months in 22 I thought I was just burned out by the whole genre. Strange thing tho I was still playing those 3 games. So, maybe it may be a similar experience. Who knows.

[ShouteN]

You cant replay it but by the end of 2024 i am trying to finally finish it once. I loved all ds games and replayed them multiple times but for elden ring it gets boring to me.

I know its not common opinion but linear ds games were much better. Hey but it is only my opinion. ER is a good game but just not for me.

I would like them to do their next game linear, with options to explore, but add proper end game maybe even with random dungeons or so.

[lost horizon]

Originally posted by ShouteN:

I would like them to do their next game linear, with options to explore, but add proper end game maybe even with random dungeons or so.

a real story with a real ending and quests that dont require flex wiki would be great too