Those two stories sit at opposite ends of the open-world spectrum, the former representative of the genre’s ubiquitous emergent storytelling and the latter a perfect example of how From Software seems poised to reinvent open-world games for good.

Talking about opposite sides of the spectrum, I feel like I have been playing Open World games these past few years with experiences that are diametrically opposed to yours.

I don’t like the souls games (at all), but I don’t think the controls are unresponsive. What I think the issue is, is that animation priority is the game itself, which is why everything feels like rote learning patterns rather than dynamic gameplay. It’s why I hate animation priority. It feels lethargic because you…

Whatever you think of the implementation, the co-op’s been a defining feature of the games since Demon’s Souls, to the point where it was foregrounded in DeS’s intro; most of the covenants revolve around multiplayer; and in a couple of the games half the questlines could only be completed by summoning/invading/being…

This franchise went mainstream years ago.  If not with the first Dark Souls, then absolutely with Dark Souls 3.  The only game in the franchise I feel is niche is Demon’s Souls.

Not taking away from your point at all, but it’s hilarious how much of a curated experience Elder Scrolls 3, 4 and 5 were compared to Daggerfall, a pointless procedurally generated hellscape of such scope and scale that it has never been seen before or since.

I’m tentatively excited for Elden Ring, but the idea that it represents a culmination of FromSoftware’s work to date simply because It’s Big is... my second least favourite thing about modern gaming, just behind Always Online.

If it has anything close to that expect the villagers to be weird disfigured people wearing face masks and talking in cryptic riddles asking you to do absurd tasks.

Oh for sure, definitely NOT that. NPCs to be sure and an occasional light hearted comment.... Maybe. Definitely no villages full of them. From Soft doesn't do those kinds of games. 

I can't believe people still say that with any seriousness 

I need my open world game to have towns with villagers that give interesting, light hearted side quests.  This seems to not be that.

Not only do I want to see if the entire open-world is made in that quality you mention but also this doesn’t really reinvent anything?

BotW did basically the same thing. It gave you an open world, that was not just generated and filled with seemingly random things but it mostly felt like the devs went and put a lot of…

Yeah, but BotW had other elements since the whole world was a toy. It had stuff where you could throw a metal shield near an enemy during a lightning storm, or light the grass on fire to create an updraft allowing you to fire arrows in slow motion, or getting enemies to hit each other so they forget they’re pissed at…

“But perhaps most important of all, Elden Ring is fun. Oh my god, it’s so freaking fun.”

I mean, that’s exactly how the different enemies and weapons classes work in BOTW, but whatever.

What? How is the exact same game formula FromSoftware has been pushing since Demon Souls, but this time with an almost open world, going to reinvent anything? I’m also tired of the Ubisoft style open world format but this isn’t the messiah you’re looking for. 

Can you not be more specific besides “this game is amazing”? What specifically about those examples mentioned is so great? (I’ve never played a Dark Souls game)

botw had good combat, it basically had combat like the souls games , with the parries, backstabs and quick time dodges.

Yeah, I’m kinda in the same boat. I love open world games, but Souls etc. never really interested me. I’m tentatively watching this to see how people compare it to games like Witcher 3 or Skyrim, which I’m much more familiar with.

I’m not much into Soulsborne games, they just never really grabbed me and they all kinda muddle into one single thing for me but my old roommate LOVED them. I’m wondering if this is the sorta thing I should try.