It’s easy to admit that Soulslike can quickly become a repetitive genre once you get the hang of certain gameplay mechanics. Keeping aside Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as an exception, this idea holds true for most games.
With Elden Ring, Hidetaka Miyazaki and the team at FromSoftware tried variations of everything that makes the genre so special, but the DLC has tried to change things up and make boss fights set new learning curves.
How FromSoftware Is Keeping Things Fresh in Shadow of the Erdtree
In my review of the game, I explored the many nuances Shadow of the Erdtree has to offer. New weapon types, complex ecosystems, and unique enemies certainly caught my attention. However, it wasn’t until a few bosses into the game that I noticed a big change in challenge and learning curves.
For many years, most games by FromSoftware have followed rules that may be set in stone. Boss fights ask you to do three things: dodge, block, and attack. However, with games like BloodBorne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players could experience new combat methods and build a unique playstyle.
With Elden Ring, the design team showcased its mastery of certain gameplay decisions. Even years after its release, players can try different builds as per their way of enjoying the game. I’m more of a blood-katana guy, and I promise my lack of skills has little to do with it.
“Git Gud” Comes From Criticism, Not Appreciation
Between the technical difficulties and predictable movesets of boss fights, players haven’t stopped noticing the flaws that lie deep within FromSoftware’s work, even years after the first Dark Souls released.
For instance, player Lisan Al BG on Twitter talks about how the DLC still has camera problems and many boss fights have certain visual effects that go unnoticed thanks to the studio’s healthy reputation.
As you progress through the Shadow Realm, there are going to be endless bosses that showcase a culmination of stunning visuals and fascinating new animations and movesets. But, many of these still succumb to technical flaws rather than challenging aspects of the gameplay.
Fortunately, these aren’t massive problems that break the game or ruin the experience for players. Rather, these are points of criticism that could give FromSoftware better ideas for designing and developing boss fights in the future.
What are your thoughts on the technical and gameplay difficulty that these games provide? Do you think such things are intentional on the studio’s part? Let us know in the comments below.
