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Random game trailer popped up, and even though the RPG-style gameplay looks pretty mediocre (lol at the damage numbers font, btw) something struck my attention, so I did a little investigating. Apparently, the developer is a French studio owned by a former Ubisoft employee. I was pretty amused that a Western studio decided to design competently attractive characters for its game. If only we could get gameplay to rival the Japanese giants of the past. However, with the recent remaster of Ninja Gaiden 2 and Platinum taking the reigns for the sequel (not to mention Stellar Blade and the upcoming Phantom Blade 0), it seems that action-based vidya in making a comeback: https://youtu.be/RWZ-xf1dslw
The female protagonist unfortunately gives me “Unknown 9: Awakening” vibes. I currently play the arcade version of Ridge Racer, which is surprisingly fun. It is a pity this genre disappeared, but it is also easy to see why as the graphics were such a big draw at that time. The gap between Super Mario Kart at home and Ridge Racer in the arcade was staggering.
“The female protagonist unfortunately gives me “Unknown 9: Awakening” vibes.” Not even close, my friend! https://files.catbox.moe/kw46n0.jpeg
Oh, I forgot all about Ridge Racer (64). I had a blast playing that as a kid. I made it through the Dark Souls trilogy and started Elden Ring. If it weren’t for the thriving multiplayer scene in ER then I would not have the patience to master the incredibly difficult boss fights.
I stand corrected! In this picture the female protagonist indeed looks very attractive. Playing longer games is a commitment I seem I can no longer make, at least at this point in my life. The Switch has a great sleep/resume feature, though, which allowed me to make it through Dragon Quest XI. Without getting a Steam Deck, or the upcoming Switch 2, I can probably forget about finishing any linear game that takes dozens of hours.
The Switch’s sleep feature is the best I have come across. Steam Deck’s is not nearly as stable. My shmup buddy who is a huge Dark Souls fan actually dropped ER quite a way through. He concluded that linear Dark Souls is the superior format. ER suffers from the same sort of open world bloat that virtually every game within the genre does. If you get a chance, however, check out the level design of Leyndell, Royal Capital. It’s truly stunning and gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it.
I found an image where you stand and kind of overlook the area. It’s doesn’t give you the full scope as when you’re standing there you can turn the camera and see the main building and everything else. It’s a really nice perspective it gives the player before you venture in and see all the little details and insides of the structures.
https://images.pushsquare.com/075ba40896850/elden-ring-how-to-complete-leyndell-royal-capital-guide-1.large.jpg
The art direction in Elden Ring is very good, as in most From Software games. If I faced this scene, my first thought would be that traversing this small part of the map will take another ten hours or so. Open world games are often criticized for empty fields, but strolling across Hyrule in BOTW is relaxing, based on the little time I spent in this game. Dense areas like the one you highlight, on the other hand, can be almost overwhelming. At least you do not get to-do lists with hundreds of entries like in The Witcher III or your typical Ubisoft slop.
The only times I can remember ER giving you instructions on what to do, in terms of the quest line, is after the tutorial section the Maiden NPC gives some vague instructions to head to a castle that is visible up on a cliffside. Afterwards, you might get a red stamp on your map every now and then. For the most part you’re just wandering around and getting distracted constantly. I usually try to summon up to two cooperators anytime I hit a new non-open section. It makes the game go by a lot faster. Good cooperators will give you an efficient tour of the area so you get to discover most items and secret areas on your first walk through. The only downside to this approach is that it leaves you vulnerable to invaders, and sometimes they’re OP and skilled enough to take you out even in a 3v1.