God of War creator David Jaffe has found an unlikely ally in his struggle with Elden Ring, the action RPG from FromSoftware that needs no introduction. Jaffe recently opened up about his experience with the game, praising its brilliance while also highlighting an unexpected, shared problem with its highly celebrated director, Hidetaka Miyazaki.
This candid admission comes as a shock to many, considering the legendary status of both developers in the gaming industry. However, it’s also a humbling reminder that even the masterminds behind our favorite games are not immune to the trials and tribulations of the average player.
Jaffe’s Love-Hate Relationship with Elden Ring
Despite proclaiming Elden Ring as his favorite game of all time, Jaffe has been vocal about his struggles with the game’s complexity and “lack of clear communication.” In his latest video, Jaffe admitted that the game’s difficulty and obscure mechanics left him relying on assistance from others to progress:
My stats were just really, really bad. Okay, so let’s just say that I am probably as poor of a game player as Miyazaki, and I think that’s probably the only thing we have in common. I would cop to that—not a problem for me!
The God of War creator’s admission follows Miyazaki’s own surprising confession in a recent interview with The Guardian. The award-winning game director admitted that he “absolutely suck[s] at video games” but managed to complete the game by using “every scrap of aid” it offers.
On the other hand, it was only after seeking guidance from others and completely respeccing his character that Jaffe was able to overcome the bosses that had previously left him stuck for months.
If you explain well how the systems work, that difficulty curve drops drastically, and then you lose the cult standing. And then, is that worth it? Or is it better to kind of just stay intentionally confusing in order to keep your budgets where they are so you can keep being the cult hit?
This experience has led him to question whether Elden Ring’s obtuse nature was a deliberate design choice by FromSoftware to maintain its cult status among hardcore gamers.
The Difficulty Debate is Here to Stay
Jaffe and Miyazaki’s shared struggle has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding difficulty and accessibility in video games. As FromSoftware continues to gain mainstream success, the pressure to cater to a wider audience while maintaining the studio’s signature style has become increasingly apparent.
The recent launch of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has further intensified this conversation, with some players embracing the challenge and others calling for more accessible options.
Miyazaki himself has defended the game’s difficulty as a fundamental aspect of the Souls experience, emphasizing the delicate balance between player satisfaction and the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
As the industry moves forward, it remains to be seen how (if*?) studios like FromSoftware will navigate the delicate balance between satisfying their dedicated fanbase and welcoming new players into the fold!
What are your thoughts on the difficulty and accessibility of games like Elden Ring? Have you faced similar struggles in your own gaming experiences? Do share your own stories and opinions in the comments below!
