Elden Ring is the latest game developed by FromSoftware and the newest addition to a long line of games labeled Soulslike due to their incredible difficulty, and director Hidetaka Miyazaki admits that he feels apologetic for how it may have affected players. Death has little meaning in games because players can always respawn; however, death in a FromSoftware game has major ramifications.
Renowned for their insane difficulty and combat, FromSoftware nourished players to not only fight harder but smarter.
Even the smallest miscalculation could lead to the most devastating blow and will immediately end a player’s journey as he reembarks from a campfire that cleverly serves as a starting point. Miyazaki had his reasons for why certain decisions, like difficulty, mattered in the process of making a Soulslike game.
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Elden Ring Was a Massive Success
The director’s upbringing and humble beginnings were used as inspiration for how FromSoftware games were developed; in a way, they reflected the hardships and trials he faced in his youth, and where he is today is what their games are about. Speaking to the New Yorker, he mentioned how the difficulty is their identity, not an obstacle but motivation to try even harder, and it makes winning all the more satisfying.
I do feel apologetic toward anyone who feels there’s just too much to overcome in my games,
I just want as many players as possible to experience the joy that comes from overcoming hardship.
It became a signature or trademark ever since Demon’s Souls, a FromSoftware game, to feature challenging enemies and to immerse players in the hero’s journey.
Some may like games to be easy, but Miyazaki sees things differently, and after each game he makes, he always brings a piece of it back to the next, like features from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice being included in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Elden Ring is Miyazaki’s Masterpiece
Miyazaki’s advantage is that he is well aware that there is an audience for this specific genre where a game will make players feel weak and unwelcome, therefore pushing themselves for better loot and gear and trying harder to defeat bosses or die trying again and again. Hardships forge strong players, and the endless number of times they see the ‘You Died‘ screen builds their character.
The everyday challenges inspired the director and allowed his players to solve their problems like a normal human would. Assessing the situation and making sure that they have considered all of their options will give them the freedom to pick the best path forward. It may not seem like the game is accessible for all, but the difficulty means to motivate, not discourage, players.
Elden Ring was another FromSoftware masterpiece that elevated the genre and captivated players with its rich lore courtesy of George R.R. Martin and refined gameplay, Director Hidetaka Miyazaki isn’t slowing down anytime soon, especially with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC launching in June. Expect more content to come.
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