Elden Ring is the pinnacle of the Soulslike genre that FromSoftware pioneered and the most ambitious project ever for Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Soulsborne franchise. Combat is the lifeblood of the Soulslike genre and each installment has shown great improvement from the previous game.
However, it seems like Miyazaki’s latest was a major downgrade from the combat of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and a counterproductive approach. Despite being set in different universes, Miyazaki would carry over previous mechanics to the next game but not in this instance.
Sekiro Had the Perfect Combat System but Elden Ring Blew It
It wasn’t long ago when Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice reached an incredible milestone and sold over 10 million copies since launch and fans of the game are begging for a sequel but it seems like Miyazaki is focused on expanding the lore of his latest project.
Miyazaki mentioned how the movement system of the samurai game would appeal to the environment when a player is engaged in combat and provide more options to handle situations like a massive boss fight.
In Elden Ring, however, the Tarnished moves a bit slower and sluggish which is a direct contrast to the fast-paced and slick movement system seen in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Players who would jump from one game to another will immediately notice the drastic changes and will have to adjust accordingly.
On the other hand, the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion will borrow features from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that are absent from the base game. Miyazaki is well aware of how critically acclaimed his games are and perhaps wanted to experiment by integrating uncommon gameplay mechanics and taking a different approach as the studio also gets larger and larger.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Took a Gamble on Elden Ring’s Combat
Combat in video games can be tricky but only if the developers have no clue on what type of game it was meant to be or envisioned. The combat of Sekiro is perfect because of the fast-paced nature and variety of traversal options that the game has to offer, while Elden Ring may seem like a step in the wrong direction, it thematically fits the grand design of the game.
With the upcoming DLC on the horizon and is widely known as FromSoftware’s biggest expansion to date that could rival the base game, it is still a possibility for the studio to take note of the criticism regarding the combat and change it up.
History also proves that Miyazaki is willing to adapt and incorporate previous mechanics like the bonfire checkpoint system used in older FromSoft games. Learning and adapting to a new game’s intricate combat system may not suit everyone, but it can be beneficial for character development.
Miyazaki might be suggesting that the ability to quickly adapt is far more crucial than the weaponry provided. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a successful project and it shouldn’t always be used as a reference or as a safety net. Miyazaki took a gamble and most people seem to have a kick out of Elden Ring‘s combat just fine.
Would you like a faster movement system in Elden Ring akin to Sekiro? Let us know in the comments below!
