A heated discussion is taking place about the difficulty of Elden Ring. Does the game need an Easy Mode or not? We asked for your opinion, and you responded in large numbers.
This was the discussion: Since the release of Demon’s Souls, FromSoftware games have gained a reputation for being extremely hard and merciless. They do not provide players with the help that other games offer, and players often have to fight against many bosses for hours.
Accordingly, the release of the latest SoulsBorne game, Elden Ring sparked a discussion about the difficulty of the games.
- Some players feel excluded because they cannot meet the challenges of the SoulsBorne games. Accordingly, they desire an Easy Mode so they can still participate in the experience and explore the vast world of Elden Ring.
- Another part of the players, however, is against an Easy Mode. The SoulsBorne games offer enough ways to make the challenges much easier. Additionally, an Easy Mode would destroy part of the identity of the games, according to this part of the community.
Opinions on this issue vary widely, which is why we asked you on MeinMMO what you think of the difficulty in Elden Ring.
This was the distribution of votes: In total, 1,557 readers participated in the poll at the time of evaluation. Each had only one vote, and the choice could not be undone.
In total, about 72.32% were against an Easy Mode in Elden Ring:
- I think the difficulty level is good, so I am against an Easy Mode: 54.72%
- I think the difficulty level is too easy, so I am against an Easy Mode: 8.67%
- I find it too hard, but I am still against an Easy Mode: 8.93%
The supporters of an Easy Mode accounted for about 28.32%:
- I think the difficulty level is good, but I am still for an Easy Mode: 13.74%
- I find it too hard, so I am for an Easy Mode: 13.36%
- I find the difficulty level too easy, but I am still for an Easy Mode: 1.22%
The vast majority of over 50% found that the difficulty of Elden Ring is just right and should not be changed.
These were the comments
This is what the opponents of the Easy Mode say: In the comments, there were numerous opponents of the Easy Mode in Elden Ring. Many of you wrote that the difficulty level is just as good as it is. You just have to immerse yourself in the game.
Moreover, the difficulty is essential for the sense of achievement that defines the SoulsBorne games. If everything were too easy, there would be no special feeling of victory when overcoming the challenges of the game.
The entire game is designed around this level of difficulty; that’s what defines the genre. Therefore, I absolutely cannot understand why everyone wants to play everything just to experience it for themselves? I find it outrageous that it started with that in WoW […]
MeinMMO reader Nico
The difficulty, the danger that lurks around every corner, makes up 50% of the game. That would be lost. If the jumpscare skeleton doesn’t one-shot you, it has no danger potential, and that leads to it becoming boring. FromSoftware wants everyone to have the same basic conditions. The concept is essentially a large part of game design.
MeinMMO reader Alex
Moreover, the difficulty is part of the identity of Elden Ring and other SoulsBorne games. The developers created these games with a specific vision, which is why they gained such great popularity.
Introducing an Easy Mode would therefore go against the DNA of the games and change the entire genre.
Don’t think that an Easy Mode is needed. The developers had something in mind, and they created their vision of the game, which should be respected, even if it means that you might not play the game yourself.
MeinMMO reader Neowikinger
Others argue that Elden Ring is not as hard as the game’s reputation suggests. The game offers many more “cheese opportunities” compared to previous SoulsBorne games, meaning ways to bypass difficult parts or make them significantly easier.
This includes, for example, the use of magic, which some players consider too strong. This way, players can essentially choose their difficulty level:
Actually, I don’t find the game too hard, and I’m really not a good player. The game offers enough options to not make it all too stressful (grinding, coop, strength/block build with heavy armor and just facetank all bosses). You just shouldn’t let the elitist community convince you that you’re playing the game wrong.
MeinMMO reader Visterface
This is what the supporters of the Easy Mode say: However, there were also some supporters of the Easy Mode in the comments. These users advocated for as many players as possible to experience games like Elden Ring, which is only possible through an Easy Mode.
The mode would not change the gaming experience and “take anything away from anyone.” Players looking for a challenge and enjoying tough battles can still do so because nothing will be changed in the “normal” mode.
I am clearly for an (!)optional(!) easy mode, even if I wouldn’t use it. The magic of the game world would not be diminished by this. What many don’t understand (as usual)… They could play the normal mode, NG+ etc. as usual without any gear (just the character) with a torch and still praise themselves for it. It would simply not affect them, but could bring others into this beautiful experience.
MeinMMO reader Threepwood
Other supporters argue that every player should have the option to decide how difficult the game should be. Many gamers with families and jobs do not have time to grind for long or immerse themselves in a game. Or the stress factor of the games is too overwhelming for them.
However, these players still want to experience the world of Elden Ring. An Easy Mode would make that possible for them.
Let the customers decide how easy or difficult they want to play. The developer should also ensure that it can be played very easily. Again, I am the customer, and no one has to play the Easy Mode if they don’t want to. But the players who want it cannot.
I played a lot of Dark Souls and will not play Elden Ring. Dark Souls was/is extremely challenging, but with age, I only want to play such games comfortably. That is not possible in Dark Souls and probably not in Elden Ring either.
MeinMMO reader Landskron
“It is our identity.”
This is what the developers say: The heated debate also reached the developer FromSoftware in Japan. The game studio is known for its SoulsBorne games, which have become a genre of their own over the years.
Accordingly, President Hidetaka Miyazaki also commented on this. In an interview on the PlayStation Blog, he stated that the discussion is legitimate, but the studio will not change its approach to development.
We are always trying to improve, but in our games, difficulty is what gives the experience its meaning. Therefore, we are currently not ready to eliminate it. It is our identity.
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki
[…]
We do not want to force difficulty or make it hard just for the sake of being hard. We want players to use their skill, learn the game, memorize what happens, and learn from their mistakes. We do not want players to feel as if the game is unfairly punishing them. […]
According to Miyazaki, the developers did not intentionally try to lower the difficulty in Elden Ring. However, he believes that the freedom of an open world and the more accessible multiplayer will provide players with an easier entry compared to previous SoulsBorne games.
What do you think about the results? Did you expect it, or were you surprised by the distribution of votes? Let us know in the comments.
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