Man, I forgot how good it can feel to go into a From Software game completely blind. One of my first “feet to the fire” FromSoft moments was playing throughKing’s Field; and eventually,Eternal Ringon PS2 without any context whatsoever. It’s arguably the best way to go into a FromSoft experience.
Potentially more than ever before, theElden Ring: Shadow of the Edtreeearly access experience was a blast. And it’ll only get better from here.
People were extremely helpful withEdtreemessages
For the uninitiated, one of the key elements of aSeki–Souls–Bornegame is the ability for players to leave messages for others on the ground. Through the use of an initially rudimentary (and now semi-complex) system of layering words together, you can warn/trick/help people to your heart’s content.
Here are two classic message types:
It’s all part of the experience of playing aSoulsgame online, even if you never partake in invading (PVP) or co-op (PVE).
Amazingly, the community wasextremely active even before the launch of the game. During the review period, there were messageseverywhere, running the gamut of all of the cheeky fun described above. Even the mere presence of a message might make me think twice about what’s around the next corner, or if a fake wall is right in front of my face.
Some messages were as light as “you did it!” carefully placed after a boss room following a particularly arduous fight. It’s the little things that really make these games special, and I appreciate everything the community did to even make the early access period fun.
Elden Ring will be relevant for years to come, in part due to the community
TheElden Ringcommunity has been one of the most helpful to date, going back to my experience withDemon’s Soulspre-launch. The amount of resources, streamers, and folks willing to partner up with new players is practically unparalleled in this space (thoughDark Souls 3‘s multiple factions really led to some fun multiplayer shenanigans).
Through initiatives likethe player-driven “Return to Yharnam” events inBloodborne, From Software games live on for many years past their expiration date.Elden Ringmight outlive them all.
