Elden Ring is great but is it a masterpiece? – Reader’s Feature

metro.co.uk:

A reader reveals how much he’s enjoying Elden Ring but wonders whether its extreme difficult means it’s not been reviewed fairly.

Elden Ring has been my current gaming obsession, almost literally. Even when I’m not playing it I’m thinking about it or watching videos or listening to podcasts to pick up hints and tips. However, I can’t decide if it deserves all the accolades.

Firstly, the positives. It might seem a slightly daft one but the value for money. For less than £50 I received a new next gen AAA game that was full length and from a fairly major studio and with the physical release I got some stickers, a woven patch, a poster, and some postcards. That’s frankly crazy and almost unheard of these days. I’m old enough to remember when every new release had some kind of keepsake, even just an instructions booklet.

The game also has striking visuals. Granted, as a next gen and current gen release it might not have the same impressive graphics as, say, Horizon Forbidden West, but even so it has a unique design that is different to so many games that it stands out. It’s a testament to the game and the art style that it never feels boring.

I also enjoy the more measured combat style, where every hit feels like it matters and each victory feels significant, no matter how small. The exploration is also a huge amount of fun, with so many varied enemies and a landscape that invites players to get lost in. It doesn’t hurt that the horse riding is possibly the best I’ve ever experienced in gaming. And the horse double jump is mwah chef’s kiss.

I’m less enamoured with the inventory system and menus. They seem to me somewhat confusing and complicated. I had to look up how to equip something to my pouch. To be fair to Elden Ring it’s