Elden Ring Catch-all

I found it interesting that he wants people to go in blind. I am, apart from the E3 trailers.

It has been a long time since i've jumped on a big title on release, can anyone chime in on FromSoftware's record on stability/bugs in their games at release? Could be fun to be in on the hype for once...

troubleshot wrote:

It has been a long time since i've jumped on a big title on release, can anyone chime in on FromSoftware's record on stability/bugs in their games at release? Could be fun to be in on the hype for once...

Usually pretty good. Launch month-ish is the absolute best time to play a Souls game. They thrive with a high population. I played DS2, DS3, and Bloodborne at release. Often I'll wait for reviews with other companies, but I just love being part of the initial crowd discovering these games.

My only caveat: I did my one and only midnight release with Dark Souls 2 and when I got home, they still hadn't put the servers up. I guess they were waiting for midnight Pacific or something. Just make sure you don't try that and you should be golden.

troubleshot wrote:

It has been a long time since i've jumped on a big title on release, can anyone chime in on FromSoftware's record on stability/bugs in their games at release? Could be fun to be in on the hype for once...

Network stability can be a little hit or miss. Otherwise, they're usually very stable and bug free.

If you're going to hop into a title at release, you can't do much better than a From Software game. There is really nothing like playing these games right when they come out. The multiplayer aspects are going full force, and community discover is happening in real time.

Thanks Fedaykin and Dyni, one more question if I may. I played about 10 hours of DS2 and liked the world and exploring it, but I never really 'got' the combat as I'm a bit slow and struggle to figure out timing, I beat a big boss and a few smaller ones more out of persistence than any skill, but I still enjoyed it. Is there any word on if Elden Ring is very playable by someone like me or should I beware? I watch videos of people playing DS and im a long way from ever getting that good.

I've played hundreds of hours of DS1 and at least 100 of DS3. I got "Souled out" and have moved away from that sort of game these days, but, damn, I don't think I'll be able to resist a day one purchase of Elden Ring.

What platform is everyone going to be playing on? I'm concerned about hackers on PC, given that From doesn't have the greatest track record of dealing with them.

I'll be playing on PC, on day one. From's track record of dealing with hackers isn't the best, but it's not horrible, and I'm confident that the fan community will step in and create a "Blue Sentinel"-like mod if one is needed, to help bolster defenses. For what it's worth, I've put in many hundreds of hours into DS1/2/3 on PC, and have never experienced someone obviously cheating.

Yeah, I would say if you want to enjoy online features, for now, plan on a console purchase. Dark Souls 1-3 servers on PC are still down due to the incredibly awful exploit that was discovered that allows basically anyone to hijack your PC through PvP invasion/connection. I have a feeling that Bandai Namco and From have been quite as they're nose-to-the-grindstone focusing on the Elden Ring fix before patching Dark Souls 1-3, but for now, I'd count on playing Elden Ring offline on PC.

Consoles don't seem to be impacted (likely harder for a hacker to exploit the issues, and don't know if it can allow access to anything important if they can exploit them at all).

troubleshot wrote:

Thanks Fedaykin and Dyni, one more question if I may. I played about 10 hours of DS2 and liked the world and exploring it, but I never really 'got' the combat as I'm a bit slow and struggle to figure out timing, I beat a big boss and a few smaller ones more out of persistence than any skill, but I still enjoyed it. Is there any word on if Elden Ring is very playable by someone like me or should I beware? I watch videos of people playing DS and im a long way from ever getting that good.

The videos people put up are almost always going to skew towards showing the highly skilled players. Don't beat yourself up. What you call "persistence" is just "learning the boss mechanics", and every player has gone through those steps - they just don't show their progress of it online.

Maybe you're just not jiving with your chosen weapon / playstyle? Try something else - maybe a dex build (fast attacks, quick dodge-rolls), or an int-build sorcerer (snipe enemies from outside of their aggro range), or a str build (big heavy weapons that do buttloads of damage, if you can plan ahead for the wind-up time).

I'll be on day one, for anyone looking to coop on PS4. And yeah, From Software games so far have been worth the time on launch day on consoles. Been there since DkSII and I don't regret it one bit.

I'll be on Xbox Series X day one. I really like the Xbox ecosystem and I haven't got a PS5 at this point.

As far as skill, I'd say anyone who enjoys the exploration and atmosphere of these games should probably give Elden Ring a shot. While they are "hard", and I'm proud of beating them and my Onebro run of DS1, etc., they're really testing your perseverance. There are paths you can take and tools you can use to beat the games without becoming an amazingly technical player.

For instance, various forms of magic have made certain entries in the series much easier. Obviously co-op makes a lot of things easier. I would rather someone take an "easy" path through these games than not play them at all. I tend to like to solo explore but then co-op boss fights. Jolly cooperation is, to me, the most joyful and wholesome aspect of these games. Praise the Sun!

I’ll be on Xbox as well.

troubleshot wrote:

Thanks Fedaykin and Dyni, one more question if I may. I played about 10 hours of DS2 and liked the world and exploring it, but I never really 'got' the combat as I'm a bit slow and struggle to figure out timing, I beat a big boss and a few smaller ones more out of persistence than any skill, but I still enjoyed it. Is there any word on if Elden Ring is very playable by someone like me or should I beware? I watch videos of people playing DS and im a long way from ever getting that good.

It sounds like Elden Ring will be more approachable for someone of your skill and experience level than past entries have been due to the open world nature of the game, the inclusion of stealth, and more accessible multiplayer elements. Here are a couple responses from the developer on the topic from the interview I linked a few days ago:

Is there any advice you have for newcomers coming into Elden Ring, whether that’s a suggested class or playstyle?

Spoiler:

In general, I’d like new players to feel unpressured and that they can approach the game at their pace. I don’t want to enforce any playstyle or particular route because I’d like them to experience that sense of freedom. And I realize that while we offer games with a high level of challenge, we design them in a way that feels fulfilling to overcome. But I don’t want new players to worry or stress about that difficulty too much.

This time in Elden Ring, we have many options at the player’s disposal to confront challenging situations and use their cunning to outsmart enemies and bosses. They can come back to something later when they’re at an impasse so that they can have this freedom of progression and not have to bang their head against a wall over and over. They can figure out what to do and how to approach it again, at their own pace.

Like our previous games, we have multiplayer elements, but the barriers to entry have lowered to make it a lot more accessible. So we hope players take full advantage of that.

As for a starting class, it’s entirely up to the player. It’s an RPG, and they can approach it however they like and choose whichever looks the coolest to them. But I would recommend against choosing the naked one (known as the Wretch). As before, it’s probably the most difficult starting class!

How has the ongoing discourse around game difficulty and accessibility impacted the way you’ve tailored and maintained FromSoftware’s trademark difficulty in Elden Ring? Was this something your team has been trying to be more mindful of?

Spoiler:

Yes, we have. It’s a valid discussion. I feel like our approach to these games, not just Elden Ring, is to design them to encourage the player to overcome adversity. We don’t try to force difficulty or make things hard for the sake of it. We want players to use their cunning, study the game, memorize what’s happening, and learn from their mistakes. We don’t want players to feel like the game is unfairly punishing, but rather that there’s a chance to win a difficult encounter and make progress. We understand that Souls-like games are regularly associated with impossible levels of difficulty with high barriers to entry. But we try to design the games to make the cycle of repeatedly trying to overcome these challenges enjoyable in itself. So we hope that with Elden Ring and the new options it provides, it will be a success in that respect.

In Elden Ring, we have not intentionally tried to lower the game’s difficulty, but I think more players will finish it this time. As I mentioned, the player’s level of freedom to progress through the world or return to a challenge later are all elements that I feel will help people get through the game at a more leisurely pace. Also, there isn’t a focus on pure action. The player has more agency to dictate their approach against, for example, the field bosses in the overworld and how they utilize stealth in various situations. We’ve even reduced the number of hoops that you have to jump through to enjoy it in multiplayer. So we hope the players embrace that idea of receiving help from others. And we feel like the overall clear rate will go up this time because of these things.

Multiplayer has always been the best form of difficulty modification in these games. It sounds like that will hold true in Elden Ring as well. Don't hesitate to summon help if you need it.

I've pre-ordered Elden Ring on the PS Store, I'll probably be still playing Horizon Forbidden West but it'll be nice to dip my toes in to what looks to be another From Software masterpiece.

I wasn’t going to jump in straight away but you’re all starting to convince me otherwise. I’ve never been playing a souls game at launch and this is likely a great one to do that with. If I do I’ll be on PS4 (GMT.)

Thanks Dyni, I reckon that first quote has locked me in now. Keen. I'll be on PC.

Higgledy wrote:

I wasn’t going to jump in straight away but you’re all starting to convince me otherwise. I’ve never been playing a souls game at launch and this is likely a great one to do that with. If I do I’ll be on PS4 (GMT.)

We can wonder the open world together, level up as much as possible, venture into the solo areas, get our arses handed to us by a boss who with a back handed slap takes away 70% of our health. We'll join each other once again in the open world section & take it out on every standard enemy who's based in the starting area

Spikeout wrote:
Higgledy wrote:

I wasn’t going to jump in straight away but you’re all starting to convince me otherwise. I’ve never been playing a souls game at launch and this is likely a great one to do that with. If I do I’ll be on PS4 (GMT.)

We can wonder the open world together, level up as much as possible, venture into the solo areas, get our arses handed to us by a boss who with a back handed slap takes away 70% of our health. We'll join each other once again in the open world section & take it out on every standard enemy who's based in the starting area :D

That sounds like a plan

Preordered on Fanatical for $50. Better than full price on Steam with taxes

I'm going to be on Play Station, pre-ordered and ready to go! This is the first game that has me contemplating a day off from work to dive into.

Yeah, this one's got me good too. The 25th can't get here soon enough. I'll be on Playstation.

Xbox Series X or PS5? They both are the same price and I am lucky enough to have both.

I usually play these games on PC. But going for PS5 at release most likely. Need to use it for something. And hopefully it runs well enough on PS5, which has otherwise been the issue for previous games on last earlier generation consoles.

farley3k wrote:

Xbox Series X or PS5? They both are the same price and I am lucky enough to have both.

Found this which may answer my question (when I wade through all 20 minutes of it)

I like how you link that before actually knowing if it helped you or not

I'm actually most curious about what they said in regards to making coop more accessible this time. In my Bloodborne playthrough last year I was happy to call in help after trying a boss a few times, and IMO it's one of the best ways they have for adding an "easy mode" to the game when you hit one of those walls. But, there were definitely times I didn't have Insight available, so I either had to go find some or just try to muddle through on my own. If they're smoothing out that process, that makes me happy.

Usually you can earn the status that allows you to summon help by first volunteering to be that help, which is a nice little economy of cooperation. That's hard with an older game, naturally, since you may not get summoned - which is where the items that grant the same status come into play. Those are usually given out in pretty generous quantity as long as you're saving them for when you actually want to summon help.

They've also made it easier over time - you had to use that item at a bonfire in DS1, and then make it all the way to the boss door (if that's where you wanted to summon - you could also look for signs at the bonfire). In Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne, you can use the appropriate item anywhere.

I hope it's still possible to indicate where you'd like to be summoned. One of my favorite pastimes in earlier games was setting my sign at the very start of zones and just helping folks through the whole thing in one go, playing various kinds/flavors of healer/support builds. I'll be a bit frowny if I can't control that anymore and just keep getting summoned for bosses.

beanman101283 wrote:

I like how you link that before actually knowing if it helped you or not

Finally got through it and it seems that the PS5 is the way to go - and if you run the PS4 version on the PS5 you get better frame rates!

farley3k wrote:
beanman101283 wrote:

I like how you link that before actually knowing if it helped you or not

Finally got through it and it seems that the PS5 is the way to go - and if you run the PS4 version on the PS5 you get better frame rates!

Why? The video you linked isn't displaying.

Did Digital Foundry do one of their version comparison videos? They are usually on release versions and much closer to release than now.