So, Elden Ring’s influences? Let’s break it down, because it’s a delicious cocktail of game design. Miyazaki himself mentioned some key ingredients: Shadow of the Colossus, that unforgettable feeling of facing colossal, heartbreaking foes – that’s huge in Elden Ring’s boss design. Then you’ve got the sprawling open world of The Elder Scrolls, that sense of exploration and discovery, finding hidden stuff everywhere. And yeah, The Witcher 3‘s influence is clear, particularly in its approach to world-building – a rich, detailed world with tons of lore hidden in the environment.
Don’t sleep on Breath of the Wild either. That freedom of movement, that verticality, finding your own path – that’s all over Elden Ring, although it’s approached with a FromSoftware twist, of course. But it’s not just about gameplay. The story, man, the story pulls heavily from tabletop RPG RuneQuest – expect a complex, branching narrative that rewards exploration and attention to detail. That and the epic fantasy settings of Lord of the Rings and The Eternal Champion, which provide that high fantasy framework. You can really see those Tolkien-esque vibes bleeding through into the lore and the world’s design.
Ultimately, Elden Ring isn’t just a copy of any one game. It’s a masterful synthesis of these disparate influences, all blended together into something truly unique. It’s a testament to how skilled developers can take inspiration from multiple sources and build something completely new and amazing.
Would I like Elden Ring if I didn’t like Dark Souls?
Elden Ring’s appeal to Dark Souls veterans hinges on what aspects of Dark Souls they disliked. The core combat remains fundamentally similar: deliberate, precise, and rewarding mastery. However, Elden Ring boasts significant refinements, offering a more fluid and versatile combat system with a wider array of weapons, spells, and Spirit Ashes to customize your playstyle. This increased flexibility allows for a more personalized experience, addressing a common criticism of Dark Souls’ perceived rigidity.
The environmental storytelling and quest design maintain the cryptic, rewarding exploration characteristic of the Souls series. Expect to piece together narratives through item descriptions, environmental cues, and NPC interactions. However, Elden Ring expands upon this significantly, providing a more open world and consequently a larger scope for emergent narrative experiences and optional content. Players will discover numerous hidden areas, bosses, and questlines that are entirely optional, allowing for diverse playstyles.
While retaining the challenging nature synonymous with FromSoftware titles, Elden Ring offers greater agency in managing difficulty. Spirit Ashes summonable allies, and build customization options provide more avenues for overcoming obstacles compared to Dark Souls. The vast open world also allows for more strategic exploration, enabling players to level up, gear up, and approach challenges gradually. Therefore, while undeniably difficult, Elden Ring provides more tools to mitigate the challenge, catering to a broader player base.
In short: if your dislike of Dark Souls stemmed from the combat’s stiffness or the lack of build diversity, Elden Ring likely addresses those concerns. However, if your issues lay with the obtuse storytelling or the unforgiving difficulty, your enjoyment of Elden Ring may be more nuanced and dependent on your willingness to adapt your approach. Ultimately, the core DNA remains remarkably similar; Elden Ring simply refines and expands upon the established formula.
Why is Elden Ring so hard compared to Dark Souls?
Elden Ring’s brutal difficulty isn’t just about higher damage; it’s the relentless pace. Unlike the methodical, slower combat of Dark Souls, Elden Ring throws you into a whirlwind of attacks demanding instant reactions. This isn’t merely increased speed; enemies boast more aggressive attack patterns, often combining multiple moves for devastating combos. Think of it this way: Dark Souls lets you dissect each enemy’s moveset, learning tells and exploiting weaknesses at your leisure. Elden Ring demands you master those same techniques while dodging, parrying, and attacking in rapid succession. This fast-paced combat is further emphasized by the open world; you’re constantly encountering enemies of varying strengths, unprepared and often outnumbered, unlike the more structured level design of Dark Souls.
The increased pace also necessitates a different approach to learning enemy patterns. While Dark Souls allowed for careful observation and methodical testing, Elden Ring requires more intuitive understanding and adaptability. You’ll die more, often learning less from each individual death, instead building an overall sense of timing and reaction. This is amplified by the lack of distinct boss arenas in the open world – surprise encounters are a key part of the Elden Ring experience, constantly pushing players to adapt and improvise.
Furthermore, Elden Ring’s Spirit Ashes, while helpful, don’t completely alleviate the pressure. They can tilt the odds in your favor, but they still require strategic deployment and add another layer of complexity to the combat. The game constantly tests your mastery of not just individual skills, but also resource management and overall strategic thinking. It’s not just about memorizing attack patterns; it’s about mastering the tempo of the fight itself.
Is Elden Ring connected to Dark Souls in any way?
While surface-level comparisons to the Dark Souls trilogy are inevitable given Hidetaka Miyazaki’s involvement, Elden Ring operates within a completely separate universe. Miyazaki himself has explicitly stated that there’s no canonical connection to Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Demon’s Souls. This is a crucial distinction for players expecting direct narrative links or shared lore elements.
From a gameplay perspective, though, the influence of Dark Souls is undeniable. The core mechanics – stamina management, nuanced combat, and a focus on environmental storytelling – are clearly present. However, this should be viewed as a refined evolution of the formula, rather than a direct continuation. Think of it like this:
- Shared DNA: Elden Ring inherits the core gameplay loop of its predecessors.
- Separate Narrative: The narrative and lore are wholly unique, preventing any direct carry-over of character arcs or plot points.
- Evolution, not Iteration: Elden Ring builds upon the foundations laid by previous titles, incorporating new mechanics and a significantly larger open world.
This independence allows for greater creative freedom. The open-world structure of Elden Ring, for instance, is a significant departure from the more linear level design of Dark Souls. This shift represents a strategic evolution within the FromSoftware franchise, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. The lack of direct connection prevents the experience from being overly reliant on prior knowledge, making it more accessible while still retaining the core challenge and reward characteristic of FromSoftware titles.
Focusing on Elden Ring’s unique lore and mechanics allows for a richer and more immersive experience, free from the constraints of existing narratives. Understanding this distinction is vital for both critical analysis and player enjoyment.
Did Elden Ring take inspiration from Zelda?
Yeah, so Elden Ring, right? Massive game. But the influence? Totally obvious. Miyazaki himself said it – Breath of the Wild was a big one. You see it in the open world design, the sense of exploration, that feeling of just… wandering and discovering stuff. Less hand-holding, more figuring things out yourself – very similar vibe.
But it’s not just Zelda. The Elder Scrolls series, especially Skyrim, is clearly there too. That freedom of movement, the sheer scale of the world, the ability to just… go anywhere. You can feel that sprawling, almost overwhelming sense of possibility in both games.
And then there’s Witcher 3. The narrative structure, the depth of the lore, the way the story unfolds organically as you explore – Elden Ring takes a lot from that as well. It’s not a direct copy, of course, but you can see how those three games, each in their own way, really shaped Elden Ring’s core design philosophy.
Is Elden Ring inspired by Dark Souls?
While Elden Ring shares a clear lineage with the Dark Souls trilogy, it’s crucial to understand that Miyazaki himself has explicitly stated the narratives are unrelated. Think of it as a spiritual successor, not a direct sequel. The gameplay, world design, and overall atmosphere certainly draw heavily from the Dark Souls formula – expect challenging combat, cryptic storytelling, and a sprawling, interconnected world filled with mystery and lore.
However, Elden Ring expands upon the established formula in significant ways. The open world is far more expansive, offering unprecedented freedom of exploration and allowing players to tackle areas in any order they choose. The sheer scale of the map and the variety of environments set it apart from its predecessors.
Despite the narrative independence, many familiar elements remain – from the challenging boss fights and punishing difficulty to the subtle environmental storytelling and item descriptions that piece together the game’s rich lore. It’s this evolution of the core Dark Souls gameplay loop, combined with a massive open world, that truly defines Elden Ring’s unique identity. It’s a natural progression, not a retread.
Did Elden Ring take inspiration from berserk?
Elden Ring’s debt to Berserk isn’t a simple matter of imitation; it’s a sophisticated homage woven into the game’s very fabric. While FromSoftware avoids direct adaptation, the influence is pervasive. The imposing Erdtree, for instance, echoes the symbolic power of the World Tree in Berserk, representing a similar sense of oppressive, yet awe-inspiring, cosmic scale. Beyond the obvious visual similarities – the imposing architecture, the distinct armor designs, and weapon archetypes readily identifiable to Berserk fans – the thematic resonance is striking. The cyclical nature of violence, the exploration of themes like despair and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds, and even the overarching narrative of a broken world struggling against overwhelming forces all find powerful parallels in Miura’s magnum opus. Consider the recurring motif of colossal, grotesque creatures reminiscent of those found within the pages of Berserk, or the melancholic, almost fatalistic atmosphere pervading both worlds. The game’s deliberate ambiguity, allowing players to piece together fragments of its lore – much like piecing together the fragmented narrative of Berserk’s storyline – further enhances this connection. This isn’t just a superficial nod; it’s a deep engagement with Berserk’s thematic and aesthetic core, transforming its inspiration into a wholly unique but undeniably connected experience.
Did Elden Ring get inspired by Berserk?
Yeah, so Elden Ring and Berserk? Total no-brainer, right? Miyazaki’s a huge Berserk fan; it’s practically canon at this point. The influence is everywhere, not just some surface-level stuff.
Key similarities? Let’s break it down:
- Brutal, punishing combat: Both games absolutely nail that. The feeling of facing overwhelming odds, the need for precise timing and skillful parrying—it’s straight out of Berserk’s gruesome battles.
- Dark, gritty atmosphere: That oppressive, hopeless vibe? Nailed it. Elden Ring’s world is drenched in despair and ruin, mirroring the bleakness of Berserk’s Midland.
- Epic scale and lore: Both feature sprawling worlds filled with mysteries, cryptic narratives, and a history that unfolds gradually. You gotta dig deep in both.
- Character design: Think colossal, monstrous enemies. Think imposing, almost mythical figures. Check and check. The design language has a similar aesthetic, especially in certain boss fights.
Beyond the obvious: It’s not just about Guts and the Berserker Armor. Miyazaki’s masterful adaptation goes deeper. The storytelling technique—fragments of narrative pieced together through item descriptions and environmental details—directly echoes Berserk’s fragmented storytelling style.
Pro-tip for gamers: If you’re into one, you’re practically guaranteed to love the other. Seriously, go play Berserk and then re-examine Elden Ring; you’ll notice so much more.
Why is Dark Souls and Elden Ring so similar?
Elden Ring and Dark Souls share a DNA-level similarity in their level design. Think of Elden Ring as Dark Souls, but cranked up to eleven. It retains that iconic, interconnected world, but on a vastly larger scale. Forget loading screens – the Lands Between are largely seamless, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. You’ll find a variety of dungeons, ranging from smaller, more focused affairs to the sprawling Legacy Dungeons. These Legacy Dungeons are essentially self-contained Dark Souls levels – intricate, challenging, and brimming with lore.
The core gameplay loop remains consistent: master difficult combat, explore meticulously crafted environments, discover hidden paths and secrets, and overcome challenging bosses. While Elden Ring expands the scope dramatically, the feeling of accomplishment after conquering a difficult area, be it a dungeon or a boss fight, is directly inherited from Dark Souls. This shared design philosophy is what makes them feel so connected, even though one is a sprawling open world and the other is more linear.
The emphasis on environmental storytelling also continues. You piece together the narrative by exploring the world, discovering items, and deciphering cryptic messages, rather than through lengthy cutscenes. It’s a style that both games absolutely nail, encouraging deeper player investment and immersion.
What inspired Dark Souls?
Dark Souls’ haunting world and challenging gameplay weren’t born in a vacuum. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki explicitly cites the influential manga Berserk as a major inspiration, its dark fantasy setting and grim atmosphere deeply resonating with the game’s design. This influence is palpable in the game’s gothic architecture, monstrous enemies, and overarching sense of despair and struggle.
Beyond Berserk, Miyazaki aimed for a specific aesthetic: “a certain kind of refinement, elegance, and dignity,” even within the game’s brutal world. This unique blend of bleakness and sophisticated design is evident in the meticulously crafted environments, the weighty feel of combat, and the subtle storytelling woven into item descriptions and environmental details. Think of the haunting beauty of Anor Londo or the oppressive atmosphere of Sen’s Fortress; these are examples of this deliberate stylistic choice.
The game also draws inspiration from classic fantasy literature and RPGs, but Miyazaki’s vision shaped these influences into something wholly unique. The emphasis on player exploration, the cryptic narrative, and the sense of overwhelming difficulty are all hallmarks of Dark Souls’ groundbreaking approach to the genre, creating a deeply immersive and unforgettable experience.
Did Elden Ring take inspiration from Skyrim?
While Elden Ring’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, denies direct inspiration from a single title, it’s clear the game draws from a rich tapestry of open-world influences. He’s publicly acknowledged the impact of games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Elder Scrolls series (including Skyrim, obviously!), and The Witcher 3. This isn’t surprising; these games represent some of the highest achievements in open-world design and RPG mechanics.
Key takeaways for any aspiring Elden Ring pro:
- Exploration and Discovery: Like Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring emphasizes organic exploration, rewarding curiosity with hidden areas and powerful items. Mastering this aspect is key to maximizing build efficiency and gaining an edge in PvP.
- RPG System Depth: The Elder Scrolls series’ influence is evident in Elden Ring’s complex character building system. Experimentation with different builds is critical for competitive play – finding the optimal stat distribution and skill combinations can be the difference between victory and defeat.
- Narrative Immersion: From The Witcher 3, Elden Ring borrows the compelling narrative structure. Although less linear, understanding the lore and character arcs helps in comprehending the game’s overall strategy and potential build synergies.
Specific parallels to Skyrim worth noting for competitive players:
- Skill Tree Optimization: Both games feature extensive skill trees requiring careful planning. Just like in Skyrim, building a well-rounded character in Elden Ring, capable of handling various situations, is vital.
- Environmental Storytelling: The emphasis on environmental storytelling, similar to Skyrim’s approach, allows for skillful players to uncover secrets impacting combat strategies.
- Modding Community (indirect influence): While Elden Ring lacks official modding support at the moment, the legacy of Skyrim’s extensive modding community highlights the potential for future community-driven expansions of gameplay and competitive strategies.
What religion is Dark Souls based on?
Dark Souls’ lore, unlike many fantasy settings, doesn’t adhere to a singular, monotheistic religious framework. Instead, its complex mythology draws heavily from polytheistic pantheons, most notably evidenced by the Anor Londo pantheon. This isn’t a case of a single, all-powerful deity; rather, the “gods” are presented as powerful beings – albeit not necessarily benevolent or even omnipotent – that emerged alongside humanity during the world’s evolution. This polytheistic structure creates a rich tapestry of conflicting beliefs and power struggles, mirroring real-world mythologies. The very nature of the “gods” as beings born within the game’s world, rather than external creators, profoundly impacts gameplay and narrative structure. This contrasts sharply with many games which feature a more conventional divine order. The interplay between these different “godly” entities and their influence on the world is a key thematic element driving the narrative and player experience, offering a level of complexity and ambiguity rarely seen in typical fantasy game settings. Understanding this polytheistic foundation is crucial to fully grasping the game’s narrative depth and the motivations of its various factions and characters.
Did the creator of Elden Ring make Dark Souls?
Yes, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mind behind the critically acclaimed Dark Souls trilogy, is also the creator of Elden Ring. He’s not just the director, but a key figure in the overall design philosophy of both franchises. While Elden Ring expands on the open-world formula, the core gameplay mechanics, the emphasis on challenging combat, and the cryptic storytelling all bear the distinctive Miyazaki signature. His involvement extends beyond Dark Souls and Elden Ring; he also helmed the equally lauded Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, showcasing his versatility and mastery of action RPG design. His interview with CNET and other journalists ahead of the Elden Ring DLC further cemented his role as the driving force behind these beloved titles. This consistency in vision across multiple highly successful games makes him a truly significant figure in modern game development.
Key similarities between Dark Souls and Elden Ring include:
• High Difficulty and Skill-Based Combat: Both games are notoriously challenging, rewarding strategic play and precise timing.
• Environmental Storytelling: Both rely heavily on environmental clues and item descriptions to convey narrative, rather than cutscenes.
• Interconnected World Design: Though Elden Ring is open-world, the sense of discovery and interconnectedness echoes the design choices found in Dark Souls‘ interconnected levels.
• Focus on Player Agency: Both games offer a high degree of player freedom in terms of build customization and approach to gameplay.
How involved was George RR Martin in Elden Ring?
George R.R. Martin’s involvement in Elden Ring was, as he himself stated, “small.” This shouldn’t be interpreted as a minor contribution, however. His role primarily focused on world-building and lore creation, specifically crafting the overarching narrative framework and the mythos of the Lands Between. Think of it as providing the foundational bedrock upon which FromSoftware built their intricate gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals.
Crucially, Martin’s contribution wasn’t direct scriptwriting or level design. He delivered a blueprint, a rich tapestry of history, characters, and mythology. FromSoftware then took this framework and, utilizing their unparalleled expertise in game design, translated it into the experience players ultimately enjoyed. This collaborative process is key to understanding the game’s success; it’s a testament to the synergy between Martin’s storytelling prowess and FromSoftware’s unparalleled game development capabilities.
Therefore, while Martin didn’t directly participate in the day-to-day development post-submission, his influence is undeniably woven into the game’s very fabric. The depth and intrigue of the lore, the compelling backstories of key characters, and the overall sense of a rich and complex world are all testament to his significant, albeit indirect, contribution. His involvement was a crucial initial step, not a continuous hands-on role.
What game is similar to Elden Ring?
Elden Ring‘s closest spiritual successor is undoubtedly Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (2024), promising more of the same brutal yet rewarding gameplay. Expect similar open-world exploration, challenging boss fights, and deep lore.
Bloodborne (2015) offers a faster-paced, gothic horror experience with a similar emphasis on challenging combat and rewarding exploration, albeit in a more densely packed environment. Its interconnected level design is a masterpiece.
The Dark Souls III (2016) experience remains a benchmark in challenging, deliberate combat. While less open-world, its level design and boss encounters are comparable to Elden Ring’s difficulty and depth.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) provides a stark contrast in its focus on precise, high-risk, high-reward combat. Its demanding parry system and emphasis on skillful deflection make it a unique but equally rewarding alternative.
Looking ahead, Black Myth: Wukong (2024) shows immense potential. Its stunning visuals and fluid combat system, combined with its unique mythological setting, suggests a similar level of difficulty and engaging gameplay loop.
While “Elden Ring Nightreign2025” isn’t a real game, it highlights the demand for more titles in this style. The common thread linking these games is the demanding yet satisfying challenge coupled with intricate world design and rich lore.
How much did George R. R. Martin influence Elden Ring?
George R.R. Martin’s influence on Elden Ring is significant, primarily shaping the game’s lore. Producer Yasuhiro Kitao confirmed Martin created the overarching mythology, predating the game’s events. This foundational mythos significantly impacts the world’s current state and its characters’ motivations and relationships. Think of it as the game’s “deep lore,” providing context and depth to the narrative experienced by players. While players don’t directly engage with this ancient history in the main gameplay, its ramifications subtly permeate every aspect of the game, enriching the experience by providing a richer, more layered background.
This isn’t simply a “name drop” or a superficial collaboration. Martin’s contribution is fundamental to understanding the game’s world. The subtle hints and fragmented narratives throughout the game derive directly from this pre-established mythos, encouraging exploration and investigation of the game’s environment and item descriptions. The resulting sense of mystery and intrigue is a direct result of Martin’s impact. It’s crucial to understand that discovering pieces of this hidden history adds depth to the otherwise ambiguous world.
Therefore, understanding Martin’s influence isn’t about finding direct quotes or character cameos; instead, it’s about recognizing how his narrative groundwork subtly manifests in the richness and complexity of the game world itself. This influences the player’s perception of the characters’ actions, the world’s history, and the overall narrative arc.
Why was Dark Souls so influential?
Dark Souls’ influence stems from its revolutionary approach to difficulty. Unlike most games that offer selectable difficulty levels, Dark Souls presented a consistently challenging experience for all players. This wasn’t just about high enemy HP or damage; it was a meticulously designed system. Enemy placement, environmental hazards, and interconnected level design all contributed to a unique sense of challenge. The game didn’t hold your hand; it demanded exploration, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking. This “hard but fair” philosophy forced players to learn enemy attack patterns, master timing, and utilize the environment to their advantage. The result was an intensely rewarding experience, unlike anything seen before, profoundly impacting game design, inspiring countless “Souls-like” games that followed, and significantly altering the conversation around difficulty in gaming.
Furthermore, the lack of a difficulty selector fostered a strong sense of community. Players shared knowledge, strategies, and even emotional support, creating a unique online experience built on mutual struggle and triumph. This collaborative aspect, born from shared difficulty, further solidified Dark Souls’ impact, highlighting that challenging gameplay doesn’t necessitate alienation.
It essentially changed the paradigm from simply *adjusting* difficulty to *designing* difficulty, weaving challenge into the fabric of the game world itself.
