Elden Ring, the brainchild of Hidetaka Miyazaki, is known for its brutal difficulty. Players have come to expect a steep learning curve, where perseverance is very important.
But a new boss in the new DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, might push even the most hardcore players to their limits. Radahn, Consort of Miquella, is considered to be one of the toughest bosses yet, sparking a renewed debate about difficulty options in this game.
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Philosophy on Difficulty
Radahn’s fight in Shadow of the Erdtree is said to be a true test of skill, blending complex attack patterns with devastating power. Players describe him as a relentless force, leaving little room for error. His attacks are fast, varied, and hit hard, requiring precise timing and strategy to overcome. This has led to a wave of discussions online, with many players expressing their frustrations and calling for an easier mode or a difficulty option.
I AM SO FED UP OF THIS BS BOSS FIGHT GIVE ME AN EASY MODE MIYAZAKI pic.twitter.com/SG2MdXFjzM
— Jordan 🐰 (@BERSERKER_THiiS) July 2, 2024
The conversation about difficulty options in FromSoftware games is not new, but Radahn has reignited it. The tweet has resonated with many fans who feel that while the challenge is part of the appeal, an option for a more accessible experience could attract a broader audience.
Hidetaka Miyazaki has always been clear about his vision for difficulty in his games and isn’t budging anytime soon. He believes that the challenge is integral to the experience, providing a sense of accomplishment and immersion that easier modes might negatively impact. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of FromSoftware’s design approach, from Demon’s Souls onward.
Miyazaki’s games are about overcoming adversity. The difficulty is not just there to frustrate players but to make victories more meaningful. Each defeat is a lesson, and each victory is a triumph, which always moves the game forward.
The Potential Impact of Difficulty Options in Elden Ring
However, the constant new difficulty option requests could potentially force Miyazaki to reconsider his stance. The sheer difficulty of this boss in Shadow of the Erdtree might alienate a portion of the player base, especially those who enjoy the game but find themselves stuck on obstacles.
An easier mode could provide a way for these players to continue their journey without compromising the core experience for those who prefer the traditional challenge.
But at the same time, adding difficulty options to Elden Ring would be a significant shift for FromSoftware. The game has achieved an insane amount of acclaim and cultural relevancy since its release two years ago and has forced casual fans and other gamers who have never played a game of this type, to completely change their perspective on single-player games.
The game has made them adapt to the difficulty and be able to overcome it after trial and error, which is ultimately the point of Soulsborne games. Some purists argue that adding an easy mode would compromise the integrity of the game. They believe that the difficulty is what makes FromSoftware’s games unique and that altering this could mess up the experience.
Hence, maybe a difficulty option isn’t needed after all, as the entire game is built around this game design, and changing or tweaking it could ruin the experience.
What do you think about the difficulty options debate? Let us know in the comments.
