I have always appreciated from softwareThe minimalist narrative style in the various Soulsborne genre games, but I’m not exactly one of those people who is completely obsessed or obsessed with it. I more or less know what’s going on. I understood the concept of the first flame and all of that. I just didn’t read each item’s description looking for pieces like some fans do – though I’ve always respected their dedication.
Boy, I’m glad I didn’t laugh at those people – because Eldon Ring made me one of them. I can’t figure out what caused this change in me.
Perhaps this is the result of George RR Martin’s influence on the world and narrative. While Martin’s involvement seems limited to telling stories between the lands before the events of the Elden Ring, it’s also one of the most interesting aspects of narrative and lore – piecing together what this world was like before it shattered, the events that ripped it apart.
But then again, the bulk of the story is also about those events and what’s happened since – the narrative thread is more driven by FromSoftware, who wanted to make sure Martin’s writing didn’t affect the actual flow of Elden Ring’s story. Few games have been able to achieve such a sacred separation of “church and country”, that gameplay and story are so thoroughly satisfied in both areas – but that’s what Elden Ring is.
Perhaps my newfound fascination comes down to open worlds and how story elements are seen in the rolling hills and the ruins of these shattered lands. It’s true that Elden Ring has some of the classic open-world shortcomings, such as the catacombs and ruins with repeated-use geometry – but it’s subtly stitched together, and the carefully crafted unique design elements harmonize so well that when the repetition begins You rarely notice when it appears. Instead, your mind shifts to other things, including the bigger picture of the story.
I hadn’t thought about it beforehand, but it does feel like an open design fits the storytelling approach that FromSoftware is using. You discover things at your own pace and combine narrative beats in a more organic way – matching the way your exploration naturally expands into more and more worlds.
Add to that the fact that this world is more alive than any other Soul Source created by FromSoftware, and you win. It’s full of funny, cute, and yes, disgusting characters — and often, even encountering them is completely optional. Advancing their story certainly is.
Maybe that’s it. Freedom helps drive my obsession, and there is no clear path right now, to obsess over what I might have missed, and the impact it has on the story I already understand.
Whatever it is, it grabs me. Ninety hours later, after finishing the game and defeating all the worthy bosses, I’m now traveling the world and reading item descriptions, piecing together what I can before starting the new game Plus or what Elden Ring calls “Journey 2” thing it. It’s a miracle I haven’t gotten tired of this game yet; at this stage, after seeing all the major things the game has to offer in terms of content, I’ve chalked up a lot of abiding interest to that interesting narrative. It happened. I’ve become a soul legend goblin, and I accept it.
If you’re eager to choose your way through the Elden Ring’s labyrinthine mines of lore, you may also want to check out our Elden Ring guide. We’ve recently updated our guide on how to easily defeat Fell Omen boss Margit, and this may be your first real stumbling block into the game’s story.
Image credit: YeImHunter
