Those who are familiar with the earlier games from FromSoftware, the developer studio behind Elden Ring, may already suspect: The new action RPG will offer several hours of gameplay. The story is said to be around 30 hours long, but you shouldn’t just rush through it.
The release of Elden Ring is approaching, and more and more players are probably wondering how extensive it will be. Is it comparable to earlier titles like Dark Souls or Bloodborne, which were extensive but couldn’t compete with other heavyweights like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
How much content does Elden Ring offer? According to FromSoftware, the main story of the game is expected to take around 30 hours to complete. Of course, this also depends on your skills and approach.
This 30 hours are said to be the time if you only follow the main quest. However, the game also offers a lot of optional content.
Why Elden Ring is much more and why you shouldn’t necessarily just follow the red thread will be revealed here.
Exploration as an Important Element in FromSoftware Games
After our 6 hours with Elden Ring, we were able to experience a small part of the story and explore some of the game world.
As always, the beginning starts with a long and epic scene, but quickly returns to the usual calm. Because the story of Elden Ring is told in the typical FromSoftware style:
- There are very few individual cutscenes
- NPCs are generally more confusing and cryptic than helpful
- The story follows a red path, but you have to search for the puzzle pieces yourself
- Item descriptions and inscriptions in the game world are also important elements in the story
- Every game offers optional paths, areas, and bosses that you have to find first.
Thanks to the mix of red paths and a game world that shows its story rather than presenting it through dialogues and staging, games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne have built up a vast, mystical, and enigmatic lore.
These games have little in common with typical story games, like the Bioware RPGs Dragon Age or Mass Effect. But what does that have to do with the fact that you shouldn’t play through the main story immediately?
Take Your Time and Explore the Game World of Elden Ring
First of all, a note: Of course, there are different types of players and everyone has their own way of approaching a game. However, if you haven’t played Dark Souls or one of the other games before, you may not be so familiar with the unique style of FromSoftware stories.
So here are some tips:
- Take your time exploring the game world
- Read every item description
- Explore every corner, as the world is packed with loot, puzzles, and other things
- Experiment with your play style by testing various weapons, armor, and spells
- By exploring, you’ll also find equipment that could be useful to you throughout the story
The more you play, explore the world, and conquer enemies along the way, the more familiar you will become with the game mechanics and improve.
You might also spare yourself annoying spots where you could get stuck due to the challenging difficulty, as you will be more practiced than someone who just rushes through the main story as quickly as possible.
Everything About Story and Setting
What we know so far: The lore and background story of the world were written by Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin in collaboration with FromSoftware.
However, the author was more responsible for the mythology, legends, and famous characters than for the actual story that is the focus of the game.
Much more, the developers under Game Director Hidetaka Miyazaki took Martin’s glorious figures and “distorted and destroyed” them to fit the typical dark story.
Miyazaki mentioned in an interview, that the author might be shocked to see what people have made of his characters.
The story revolves around the Lands Between and the powerful Elden Ring, which was shattered during a world-altering event.
You are to embark on a quest as a Tarnished to seek the shards and regain your grace, which plays an important and mystical role in the world of Elden Ring.
The Lands Between are divided into 6 regions that are interconnected and each differs significantly from one another.
Starting from February 25, you can find out for yourself how to best play Elden Ring. The action RPG will be released for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4.
Meanwhile, the system requirements for Elden Ring have also been revealed – Fans, however, are confused by the specs.
