# Elden Ring - my thoughts and questions while I play this game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [January 5, 2023, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759 "2023-01-05T23:53:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/201 "2023-02-01T19:32:56Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > and got the Age of the Stars ending (which I didn’t understand, but so it goes) That ending felt sort of cheap to me. > **Very End Game Spoiler** > > You finish off the final boss and walk to the “win” location and see something on the ground to summon Ranni. I thought – reasonably in my opinion – that I was summoning Ranni to witness my victory. Instead, you summon her and she goes “Sweet, now I’m the top boss and you get to be my champion” which isn’t what I had intended. I saw once that the Age of Stars ending was the most popular (as in commonly done per achievements) and I honestly think it has a lot to do with people not realizing how that’ll play out versus you just walking straight to the throne and claiming it for yourself. That said, I didn’t care enough to replay the ending or anything. Sure, Age of Stars, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/202 "2023-02-02T17:32:52Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > 50+ hours has been a good experience for me. I’m not confidant I will return to beat him. I know I can imitate a video of another player winning and eventually get passed him. > > I…I…do want to finish it, but I think I just don’t have the mental energy at this point. My save will always be there if I return. That’s pretty much how I felt about Dark Souls. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/203 "2023-02-02T18:24:48Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > That’s pretty much how I felt about Dark Souls. I’m just not cut out for constant struggle. I didn’t find the open world to be very engaging despite being gorgeous and fun to ride around. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/204 "2023-02-02T19:58:53Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > That’s pretty much how I felt about Dark Souls. I went into Elden Ring expecting it to be as brutal as Dark Souls. There are definitely some tough challenges and it is very reminiscent of it, but it’s also a lot more forgiving. I can actually explore in Elden Ring for example, in Dark Souls you practically had to fight everywhere. I think it has a lot to do with Elden Ring being a lot more open and putting a great deal of distance between threats. The dungeons in Elden Ring where there is an enemy in every corridor and room is basically how **everything** was in Dark Souls. Dark Souls was fun for what it was, but Elden Ring seems to have brought some nice balance. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/205 "2023-02-02T20:55:05Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I can actually explore in Elden Ring for example, in Dark Souls you practically had to fight everywhere. I think it has a lot to do with Elden Ring being a lot more open and putting a great deal of distance between threats. It’s what I went in for and why I could use a difficulty slider. Anyway, I enjoyed the exploration, but it still wasn’t hugely fulfilling for me. Getting a new Ash of War or Summons was nice enough at times, but often many of the mini-dungeons were repetitive and delivered minimal great rewards. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/206 "2023-02-03T01:55:36Z")
I was happy with it. I mean…I did put a ring on it. I’m glad someone had a happy ending. ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/207 "2023-02-28T09:45:40Z")
An expansion just got announced! Shadows of the Erdtree is under development, no release date yet. > **[Elden Ring expansion ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ announced - Gematsu](https://www.gematsu.com/2023/02/elden-ring-expansion-shadow-of-the-erdtree-announced)** > > Publisher Bandai Namco and developer FromSoftware have announced Elden Ring expansion "Shadow of the Erdtree." A release date was not announced. Bandai Namco teased: "Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk… ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/209 "2023-03-08T15:05:29Z")
I have been busy, but I feel very much like I: - won’t go back even though yes, I’m sure the Fire Giant was beatable by me - won’t buy the DLC. I think I’m done. Besides, Tears of the Kingdom is 2 months from release; it’s the most anticipated game I"ve ever had. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/210 "2023-03-08T18:33:49Z")
I had the most trouble with the Fire Giant boss as well. Even the ultra, super, ‘hardest boss ever created by From Software’ was easier for me. Of course, I had the Blasphemous Blade (knocks down enemy and heals me with every hit) and Mimic Tear ashes (duplicates myself) by then so I was basically unkillable. In the end I married the hot witch and became king. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/211 "2023-03-10T00:33:24Z")
I enjoyed the game well enough (to finish it anyway) but don’t see me buying the DLC. Having to relearn the game plus handle whatever balance/nerf changes were done since last spring sounds worse than playing it for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/212 "2023-04-01T23:48:32Z")
For April Fool’s today, Fromsoft allowed invasions during boss fights. Is this actually true? > **[r/Eldenring - For April fool's, Fromsoft enabled invasions during boss fights](https://old.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/128t4do/for_april_fools_fromsoft_enabled_invasions_during/)** > > 11,037 votes and 184 comments so far on Reddit ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2023, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/213 "2023-04-02T03:53:09Z")
reading through the thread, it’s a glitch that has been there since the game’s launch. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2023, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/214 "2023-04-05T04:28:02Z")
I started a new game on NG1…bout halfway through and ive slowed down for the dlc ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/215 "2023-04-09T00:02:26Z")
I heard the game gets harder and harder up to about NG+7. I can’t imagine, but perhaps it is irrelevant if you hit level 400+ ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/216 "2023-04-09T00:51:41Z")
Unlike some previous souls games, NG+ here just gives enemies more health and damage. There’s no new attack patterns/moves, so there’s no real change in difficulty if you’re already familiar with the game. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/217 "2024-06-21T21:04:59Z")
BUMP Is anyone playing the DLC, which is apparently a 25-40 hour extension to the main game? I’m not. I ended up quitting in the snowy area against the Fire Giant boss. I was just exhausted and no longer enjoying myself. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/218 "2024-06-21T21:07:19Z")
The fire giant was the point a lot of people quit, it seemed. I got past it, eventually, and finished the game, although I didn’t do many of the optional bosses after that point, was a bit of a race to the finish then. No real urge to return for the dlc. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/219 "2024-06-21T21:35:25Z")
I started it up last night, and realized none of my characters were in a good place to start the DLC. So I grabbed the highest level one, which happened to be in the third run through the game, killed the two required bosses, and started the DLC. Utterly and astonishingly brutal. Turns out Fromsoft decided to make enemies level with your character, so there’s no outleveling the opposition like in the base game. But wait, there’s a saving grace! There are little pieces, kinda like golden seeds, that make you more powerful AND you take less damage. I didn’t know that until today, and haven’t dove in yet. Getting my ass handed to me by a 300 foot tall burning bush gave me a good reason to go to bed. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/220 "2024-06-21T22:39:26Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > The fire giant was the point a lot of people quit, it seemed. Nothing particular about him other than he is placed in the game at the point where I and many others were just getting tired. I had never played a Soulslike game and I don’t actually look back on Elden Ring with as much fondness as I wish I did. A lot of quality of life improvements would have helped. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759/221 "2024-06-21T23:44:15Z")
Yeah the fire giant was tough for sure. Took me alot of tries to beat him. I left and came back several times. They did patch the game the day before the DLC with one major QOL improvement. They now allow you to summon Torrent during the final boss which is huge. I absolutely hated the final, final boss because I was constantly having to chase it around and getting beat to hell in the process. The camera was atrocious during that fight. I ended up having to summon a couple people to finally beat him. Being able to ride Torrent will lower the difficulty immensely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-my-thoughts-and-questions-while-i-play-this-game/977759.md?page=12)