5 exciting changes that Elden Ring brings to the Soulsborne formula

sportskeeda.com:

FromSoftware is a big name among gamers, thanks to its Dark Souls franchise. Its latest project, Elden Ring, is just around the corner and fans couldn’t be more ecstatic about it.

Taking place in the Lands Between, players take on the role of one of the Tarnished, an exiled group that has been recalled to save the world from peril. The Elden Ring itself acts as both a weapon and “overseer” of the world and its denizens - but now has been fragmented into Great Runes after an event called The Shattering.

These Runes have been usurped by the tainted, warring demigods of the ruling Queen Marika. The Tarnished must journey to this mysterious land, overcome its challenges and restore the Elden Ring.

Initial gameplay impressions might suggest that it’s basically “an open-world Dark Souls 3” - but in reality, it is that and more. Long-time Soulsborne fans know exactly what to expect from Elden Ring, but for the newcomers out there, here's five exciting changes that improve upon the traditional Souls formula.

FromSoftware’s very first take on the open-word formula really sets it apart from its other linear offerings, even though it’s a combination of Souls and Sekiro gameplay-wise. The map of the Lands Between will feature six areas (each ruled by a demigod) interconnected by a central hub. All of them are fully explorable and have day/night cycles.

In fact, it is reminiscent of Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Elden Ring does not hold the player’s hand. Once players set foot in open areas, they are free to go wherever they want and tackle objectives as they wish.

Points of interest - from mini-dungeons and NPCs to optional bosses and unmarked quests - will be peppered around the map, waiting for the players to discover.