I've put a couple hours in and I just can't get into it. If I had to describe the game in one word it would be, "unfocused." Tons of confusing, overlapping, seemingly redundant systems, a bajillion items whose uses are vaguely described at best and just pile up in my inventory, imprecise combat mechanics that seem to encourage cheesing, and not even much of an explanation about why my character is doing what they're doing or why I should care. Like I get FromSoft games purposefully don't use straightforward narratives but I just don't see any narrative hook to grab my engagement other than that I should want to be "Elden Lord," for some reason.
So what's the attraction? It looks gorgeous, I'll give it that. But so did Sekiro, which felt a lot more focused mechanically and narratively.
Not trying to be contrarian, I genuinely want to know what people see in this game that I'm missing.
As someone who plays every game on the easiest mode, I'd also like to know if there is any point at all for me to check it out.
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There's a streamer who couldn't get into FromSoftware games at all, then tried Elden Ring with a Sorcery build and seems to be having a ton of fun. He still dies a bit, but it's not nearly as punishing as the people who choose to go melee, while still being rewarding.
yeah being able to cast spells from a safe-ish distance makes a bunch of encounters easier, but there are definitely some close-quarters encounters that will be a challenge
Which to me is a good balance between "so easy it's boring" and "i'm getting flattened by random mobs because i'm not great at rolling". If only certain bosses/mobs are challenging, you're still enjoying the buildup to them.
Metal shield + spear/pike/rapier make the game much easier early on as you can attack while shielding but you'll probably need to learn the fundamentals later on. It's very good, and the spirits and co-op summons can be used 100% of the time now instead of rarely.
The summoning item is just crafted from the very common flowers in the game, and you are rewarded a new summoning item and a rare buff item every time (+5 all stats +large health buff) you use the idol to help someone else successfully. Those summoning statues that look like crucifixes are how you enable co-op (idol for joining, remedy for summoning players).
You don't lose anything when you're helping other players and you accidentally die, being able to run dungeons repeatedly and help other players at any time is the biggest change from older Souls games. It's the best way to learn this type of game.