This is the game that made the biggest impact on me as a Souls fan. Released in 2022, I had no idea how incredible Souls games could be until I played this open-world masterpiece. It’s no surprise that Elden Ring won Game of the Year 2022 and later expanded its universe with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in 2024. With the Nightreign DLC dropping this year, one has to ask: has FromSoftware truly reached the pinnacle of their craft? Let’s dive into my personal experience with Elden Ring and find out.
Introduction
Elden Ring is a Souls-like game, meaning it borrows mechanics from the Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls series. The foundation of these games is to challenge the player—whether through strange, grotesque enemies or jaw-dropping, epic boss fights. The stakes are high: if you die, you lose the souls (the game’s currency for leveling up) you’ve collected. Souls are crucial for improving your character’s stats, and the flexibility of the system allows you to craft unique builds, from swift assassins to paladins, warriors, mages, and more.
The story of Elden Ring is as complex as its gameplay. It centers around Marika the Eternal, a Numen woman who escapes her fate, only to create and ultimately destroy the Golden Order. Yet, the story isn’t spoon-fed—players must piece it together through exploration, lore, and interactions with a cast of fascinating characters. Medieval-style weapons, cryptic dialogue, and hauntingly beautiful settings make every encounter feel meaningful.
The Story
You begin in the vast, mysterious world of Elden Ring, tasked with bringing down the towering Erdtree to free the Lands Between from its cursed state. The story is not straightforward—it’s deliberately cryptic, with layers of meaning that only reveal themselves as you progress. Every character you meet is part of this sprawling narrative, and the more you explore the map, the clearer the story becomes.
To fully understand Elden Ring’s lore, I recommend using guides or even watching community discussions. Defeating bosses feels like crossing milestones, as each one adds depth to the overarching tale. What elevates the story even further is the involvement of George R.R. Martin, the famed author of A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones). His influence is evident in the world’s intricate history, morally complex characters, and the absence of a guiding arrow—players are left to chart their own path.
Exploration is the heart of the story. You’ll stumble upon hidden labyrinths, powerful items, and engaging side quests that enrich the world and its lore. Every corner of the map holds secrets, making each step forward a blend of challenge and discovery.
The Gameplay
Elden Ring’s gameplay refines the core mechanics of its predecessors while introducing fresh elements. At its heart, it’s a game of timing—dodging, parrying, and striking at the perfect moment. Every encounter, especially with bosses, demands strategy. Blocking is an option, but overuse can deplete your stamina, leaving you wide open to devastating attacks.
This isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. You’ll die—a lot. But once you learn the patterns of enemies and refine your approach, every victory feels hard-earned and immensely satisfying.
I’m currently on my second playthrough, this time as a mage, and the experience feels completely different. My first playthrough was as a heavy warrior, prioritizing stats like Health, Strength, and Stamina. Armed with a colossal Greatsword, I dealt massive damage and could endure heavy hits thanks to high poise. As a mage, I rely on Intelligence and Mind to unleash devastating magical attacks while maintaining enough mana and stamina to dodge effectively.
A major addition to Elden Ring is the jump mechanic, which adds verticality to combat and exploration. This single feature changes how you approach enemies, opening up new possibilities for attacks and movement. Overall, the gameplay rekindled my love for gaming. It’s been years since a game hooked me like this—probably not since Mass Effect 3.
RPG Elements
Elden Ring’s RPG mechanics are where the game truly shines. There are eight core stats you can invest in, allowing you to shape your character’s playstyle. As a mage, I focused on Intelligence for powerful magic attacks and Mind for increased mana and endurance. Meanwhile, Dexterity boosted my ability to dodge swiftly, which is essential for survival as a lightly armored spellcaster.
Equipment plays a significant role as well. Armor can offer resistances to magic or physical damage, and upgrading your gear ensures that you’re dealing as much damage as possible while staying alive. Every small improvement feels rewarding, and customizing your build adds layers of depth to the game.
The ability to enhance your weapons and armor at designated locations further cements the RPG experience. This system ensures that players have plenty of options to experiment with, making every build feel unique and personal.
Summary
Elden Ring is a masterpiece—a vast open world paired with the iconic Souls combat system, full of epic boss fights, meaningful exploration, and a gripping, mysterious narrative. Its challenges are steep, but the rewards are greater. FromSoftware has created a world where players aren’t just guided but encouraged to find their own way, whether through exploration, discovery, or sheer determination.
I give Elden Ring a solid 5/5. The game remains as challenging as any other Souls title but offers an unmatched sense of freedom and accomplishment. Even if it were released today, it would easily claim a spot as one of the greatest games of all time.
If you haven’t yet played Elden Ring, what are you waiting for?
MaximusGames99 
agreed, great game.
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