Perhaps the biggest surprise of June’s reveal events, between the Summer Game Fest and E3 2021, was the gameplay reveal forElden Ring. From Software’s upcoming RPG is one of the most anticipated games among enthusiast game fans and they’ve been waiting a long time for newElden Ringinformation. Now thatElden Ringgameplay has been released, From Software is more comfortable talking about its plans.Elden Ringdirector Hidetaka Miyazaki says the game is an “evolution,” and touches on what that means.
In an interview with Famitsu, Miyazaki describes how that when he saysElden Ringis an “evolution” he means that the new RPG is building off of the work and ideas of what came before. Specifically, Miyazaki references theDark Soulstrilogy. He refers toDark Souls' action, level design, and worldbuilding as elements of game development cultivated to createElden Ring. Building on that foundation from theDark Soulstrilogy is what’s led to the “evolved game” thatElden Ringis and an overall larger sense of scale.
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With that larger sense of scale, Miyazaki says thatElden Ring’s worldbuilding and story needed to be “thicker than ever,” which is implied to mean richer or denser. Miyazaki then ties that into From Software’s partnership with fantasy novel authorGeorge R.R. Martin. Miyazaki explains that Martin helped deliver on From Software’s need in that area, describing how Martin wrote the “myth” or “history” that makes up the foundation ofElden Ring’s world.
In terms of structure, Miyazaki has confirmed some other changes that have been made compared toDark Souls. He explains that the “degree of freedom” when it comes to progression is much higher inElden Ring. Players will still be defeating bosses as the main path of progress, but it’s structured differently. Thecore story ofElden Ringis much easier to understand and the number of bosses required to finish is “very limited.” The story and world is much larger than just that main path, however.
Miyazaki also confirmed that due to that structureElden Ringwill have multiple endings.Elden Ring’s larger story is said to be “bigger and more multi-layered” than From’s previous work. So while some players will focus on just the main story path, those that branch out into the world will discover a deeper experience and will be rewarded for it.
With that said, even withElden Ring’s increase in scope, additional story and worldbuilding, and larger world in general, Miyazaki says that he continues to play a key role in the game’s writing. He says that he tries to “read everything,” in addition to writing, “a lot of it directly.” In that regard,Elden Ringremains as muchMiyazaki’s workas theDark Soulstrilogy.
Elden Ringreleases January 21 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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