A FromSoftware Noob’s Guide To Elden Ring

thegamer.com:

I’ve never played a FromSoftware game before. That’s partially a lie, I started Dark Souls three or four times. I got past the Asylum Demon once, and made it to another demon - Taurus I’m told - which kicked my ass and I promptly quit for good. Or so I thought.

As a games journalist I’m acutely aware of FromSoftware games and their hold on so many of my peers and readers. I get it. They’re good, if punishing, experiences. But they’re not for me. One time in university, years before I had even an inkling of entering games media, I sat with my housemate as he made his way through what I think was the first Dark Souls. There was a castle and it looked much the same whenever I looked up at the screen - albeit I only looked when he yelled a loud “fuck, shit, fuck” upon dying. He also pointed out to me a Mimic.

Related: Don't Be Afraid To Start Elden Ring Over

I’m a huge fantasy nut, and the grotesque creativity of Miyazaki has always called to me, but I’ve just never gelled with the games. They seemed difficult to a degree that made them not fun any more, so I steered well clear. However, with Elden Ring, something felt different. Maybe it’s the open world compared to Breath of the Wild, maybe it’s our reviewer giving it five stars, but I wanted in. Whatever the reasons, I’m enjoying my time in The Lands Between, taking everything at my own pace. And with that in mind, I thought I’d share my beginner tips, from one FromSoft noob to another, to help anyone else in my position get a good start in the game.

The most fun I’ve had so far has been exploring The Lands Between. Getting a piece of map from the Gatefront Ruins will help you keep your bearings, but my best experiences have been when I’ve spotted a cool tower on the