Elden Ring was an immensely successful title created by FromSoftware, the studio responsible for creating the Soulslike sub-genre with Demon’s Souls. The titles by the studio are known for their excruciating difficulty, making for some fantastic stories and gameplay clips.
There is no title that does it better than the ones from FromSoftware. The art of making an in-game character’s death not something to run away from but something to get used to is something only Soulslike titles can do. Recently, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the pioneer responsible for creating the series, spoke about Elden Ring, the studio’s magnum opus in the truest sense. The studio director discussed game elements like accessibility and designed the title as a true-blue open-world one.
Miyazaki’s Thoughts on How Elden Ring Was Dissimilar to Other Projects by the Studio
2022’s Elden Ring received praise from gamers, reviewers, and even celebrities like Elon Musk. It was a step forward in the studio’s portfolio because, before the title, it usually focused on more linear titles in setting and storytelling.
The studio has come a long way from its first Souls-Borne title, Demon’s Souls. The title was also the studio’s breakout one and led to the studio gaining the recognition that it rightly deserves from the fraternity and gamers. The studio’s latest title, however, truly innovates on the sub-genre by offering various avenues for exploration. One can use their mount to flee from a fight that is not going in one’s favor or go in a different direction, facing different challenges.
Speaking to the PlayStation Blog before the title was released, Miyazaki shared his thoughts on the reception of the game’s tests and the feedback. He also shared how the reception was positive even when the game was in its early stages.
Speaking about the title and how unique it was when compared to other titles in the studio’s portfolio, Miyazaki had this to share:
we want players to feel the importance of the level of freedom that we’re focusing on this time. We want them to enjoy the game in their own way and feel liberated in this new open world that they can explore at their own pace.
The visionary director also stated that he encourages players to play their way without resorting to guides and to keep a fresh and open mind. He also spoke of the challenges that were faced by the team as a whole when the game was in development. Miyazaki stated that one of the challenges faced by the team was keeping the formula that fans of the studio knew and loved intact in an open-world game.
He also mentioned that the team sought to balance the player’s exploration and the signature boss fights unique to the studio’s formula. It is worth noting that the director also stated that while all of this was challenging, it also made the studio learn a lot more. Another area where the studio had to spend some time to get things right was ensuring that the game’s tempo and the player progression were balanced.
This is because the very nature of Souls-Borne titles requires users to keep leveling up before facing a new foe who has an entirely new move set and requires a different strategy altogether. Apart from other changes incorporated in the title, it also felt different and more prosperous regarding the setting.
This was also much different from the darker undertones associated with other titles in the series. On this, Miyazaki stated:
Yes, this was intentional, though not necessarily to make the game brighter. But giving it a splash of color was necessary this time…We wanted to give a sense that a Golden Age has passed through this world and that the player can still see traces of it.
Continuing, the director elaborated on the game’s color palette choice and stated that switching things up this time was necessary to invoke a feeling of high fantasy.
The title received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022. Also, the studio has added many new features and new content subsequently. The title is far from over, as the first major expansion, Shadow of Erdtree, will be released in 2024.
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