# Elden Ring seems to already be Game of the Year...but do I want to play it? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [February 24, 2022, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041 "2022-02-24T10:37:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/301 "2022-03-12T13:35:32Z")
There are some items: If you don’t want to spend any points on Endurance, there are some Talismans you can equip to increase the stat. The Radagon’s Scarseal and Radagon’s Soreseal both increase your overall Attributes, which includes Endurance. In exchange, you take slightly more damage. To find the Scarseal, you need to visit the Weeping Evergaol in Weeping Peninsula and defeat the Ancient Hero of Zamor. This is found at the top of the western part of Weeping Peninsula. \< snip \> These Talismans increase your Endurance but another increases your max equip load as a whole. This Talisman is called the Erdtree’s Favor and can be found by going back down the first lift you ever took in Elden Ring. The Site of Grace you want to fast travel to is called Stranded Graveyard. From here, use two Stonesword Keys to open up the barrier. [SOURCE](https://upcomer.com/how-to-increase-your-max-equip-load-in-elden-ring) ---
**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 12, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/302 "2022-03-12T13:44:51Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Yeah I’ve been pumping my endurance stay but every previous souls game has an item called Havels Ring that increases your equip load 25%. I’m just wondering if there is one of those in this game so I can stop pumping endurance. There is. It’s possible that you missed the chance at it if you’ve defeated Godrick. > **Summary** > > **Arsenal Charm** > > - **Effect:** Raises max equip load. The new Havel’s Ring. > - **Location:** Given by Nefeli in the Roundtable Hold if you summoned her to fight Godrick. You can find her in a sideroom after the Stormhawks, but before the big troll in front of Godrick’s boss door. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/303 "2022-03-12T14:58:04Z")
Well hell, I found it. Lol. Turns out you just need to go talk to the warrior girl back at round table after you beat Godrick and she just gives it to you. What are the chances? ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/304 "2022-03-12T15:00:38Z")
I was given an “Arsenal Charm” that bumps up equip load by like some percentage. Like 9lbs or so. See my spoiler for where I got it from. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/305 "2022-03-12T15:02:38Z")
I’m also confused about the Great Runes. I have one from Godrick, went to the spot to restore it or whatever, and now I can equip it. It says it raises all attributes but even though it’s equipped my attributes are the same. What am i missing here? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/306 "2022-03-12T17:34:38Z")
I never played any of the games in the series, is there a story, or is it just action heavy? Also, are there multiple solutions to quests, or is it just memorizing dodge-dodge-fireball? I know nothing about the series. I loved Morrowind, Withcher 2 and 3 and Dragon Age I. Is this game for me? ---
**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 12, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/307 "2022-03-12T17:46:51Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I never played any of the games in the series, is there a story, or is it just action heavy? More action heavy. As someone else said upthread, there’s “story” but not much plot. So there’s little tidbits and drip-feeds of lore scattered about but not really a cohesive “what am I doing here and why?” aside from “Go kill shit until you’re an Elden Lord, ok thanks” Likewise, there’s not much in the way of quests aside from the occasional direct “Go do this for me, ok?” and you agree or don’t agree. You don’t have branching dialogue or options and certainly nothing as robust as factions or approval meters. It’s an RPG in mechanical terms: assigning stats and raising in power as you go along but not in social terms of feeling like you’re a character meaningfully interacting with other characters in any way much beyond whacking them with a stick. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/308 "2022-03-12T18:33:21Z")
Thanks for the quick response. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/309 "2022-03-13T01:14:41Z")
Ok. I just made my way to the gate of Caria Manor and legitimately the freakiest enemy of any Souls game, maybe of any game ever. Walking through the front gate not really paying attention and I see some spiders. But they ain’t spiders. They are giant creepy hands that move in a very aggressive and realistic way. Holy crap really startled me. And kicked my ass. I’m lvl 31 with a +8 Claymore and that are destroying me. ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/310 "2022-03-13T01:18:09Z")
You need to use a Rune Arc to activate the effects. They last until death. ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/311 "2022-03-13T01:19:31Z")
If you have a shield, guard counters really mess them up. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/312 "2022-03-13T03:08:22Z")
Once you have activated a great rune by placing it on a tower, it makes rune arcs roughly analogous to embers or effigies. You need to take one to benefit from the effects of the great rune. Did Melenia today, optional boss and hardest imho - v likely in all Soulsborne. There’s a lot of chat on whether she’s legit great or whether there’s too much rng randomness to her. Right now Im thinking too random: Her weapon art killed me most of the time unless the mimic took it - maybe a heavy shield build could tank it. Got lucky with her second phase, which is pretty ridiculous, but it was a long way from moveset downloaded. Could fight her another 50 times and not win. Is a dlc a certainty for a game of this stature? DS dlcs always kick the bosses up a level and it’s hard to picture how that can happen really. Would love to see them try (and hopefully something cool with the amphitheatres). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/313 "2022-03-13T15:26:36Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > Is a dlc a certainty for a game of this stature? There is no official word on DLC from FromSoftware. However, given the game’s popularity I’d be surprised if they didn’t. I have seen some speculation that they might add a PvP arena in a future DLC (many think it will be in the coliseum near the starting zone of Limgrave). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/314 "2022-03-13T15:34:14Z")
For those interested: - [Elden Ring Release Interview with Director Miyazaki (Part 1/2) – Discussing Lore and Field Design](https://www.frontlinejp.net/2022/03/05/elden-ring-release-interview-with-director-miyazaki-part-1/) - [Elden Ring Release Interview with Director Miyazaki (Part 2/2) – Discussing Design Philosophy](https://www.frontlinejp.net/2022/03/08/discussing-design-philosophy-elden-ring-release-interview-with-director-miyazaki-part-2-2/) ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/315 "2022-03-13T16:39:23Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > maybe a heavy shield build could tank it. with +25 fingerprint greatshield and the greatshield talisman, you can reach 100 guard boost (no stamina loss when blocking) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/316 "2022-03-14T02:12:59Z")
Here’s 33:55: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/anm0CPYpGcM/hqdefault.jpg "Elden Ring Any% Speedrun in 33:55") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anm0CPYpGcM) ---
**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 14, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/317 "2022-03-14T03:29:35Z")
I’m gonna assume they glitched 😉 Beat Godrick and been dinking around. I still don’t feel any real elation at finally beating a boss. Really, I usually feel less like “I figured that guy out and nailed him” but more like “Got lucky that time”. Did a little co-op with a friend and it very much feels tacked on, like “We’ll let you have some limited play with a friend, I _guess_…” and is, like most of the games non-combat functions, unintuitive and janky feeling. They really should have pulled a guy off “weird gaunt multi-armed critter” design duty for a day and put him on UI design. I can’t believe there’s a whole successful franchise with this level of hostile user interface but there ya go. A couple hours of online play with my friend easily convinced me to go right back offline afterward. The online game looks like a graffiti-strewn subway tunnel with all the stupid glowing white remarks and ghosts dashing about to death and carpets of bloodstains – which supposedly help you see how others died so you can learn from it, but are all actually just two seconds of a dude dive-rolling to death. Despite “magic is OP” being the conventional wisdom, and I don’t argue against it, I wasn’t having a ton of fun with my Astrologer and started a Vagabond. I’m currently encased in a million pounds of steel I mugged off of knights with a car door of a shield and wanging on bad guys with a couple different weapons based on what I’m fighting. My favorite is when I can use my colossal swords and go to town, beating through some guy’s defenses and leaving him staggered but that’ll just get me killed against smaller and more nimble opponents. I mostly enjoy trotting around and seeing the sights and like the mini-dungeons. I wasn’t in love with Stormveil because it mainly felt like a slog, trying to carve your way through to the next Grace point; basically the opposite of the open world experience outside and more drudgery than the relatively short mini-dungeons. I’d still say that anyone with doubts should probably listen to those doubts and at least wait for a strong sale. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/318 "2022-03-15T22:26:16Z")
I’ve been collecting talismans, spirit summons etc - just for fun and to explore more thoroughly. You don’t actually need to farm anything if you’re interested in 100% / platinum (a departure for Souls). You know how the catacombs and caves are quite formulaic structures? I quite like them, but after a while you have them figured out pretty easy - they’re like an evolution of bloodborne chalices in a way. Anyhow, there are 1 or 2 that play quite skillful tricks on you. Say you run through a quadrangle, up some stairs down and round a corridor to drop back down to the quad - except it isn’t the same quad. It just looks identical with perhaps a slight difference on a statue to give things away. Very disorientating and a nice little challenge to solve - the mobs you kill can also help figure things out. Leyndell catacombs in the capital is one example I did recently. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/319 "2022-03-15T23:36:36Z")
Just adding this for fun: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/C1-nmLj2STI/maxresdefault.jpg "Honest Game Trailers | Elden Ring") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1-nmLj2STI) ---
**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 16, 2022, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041/320 "2022-03-16T05:24:26Z")
Just as a random thought: All the cemeteries in this game look like they were designed by an AI that knew the _definition_ of cemetery but had never actually seen one or understood how they worked. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elden-ring-seems-to-already-be-game-of-the-year-but-do-i-want-to-play-it/960041.md?page=17)