ELDEN RING

10s aren't perfect, since nothing is, but they come as close as you could get in a given genre. The new leader to beat in its sector, we're talking pure ecstasy.

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Elden Ring Randomzier Hints is a mod for Elden Ring that generates in-game hints for item and enemy locations in randomized worlds. This mod is designed to provide more goal-directed play while still maintaining the exploration and discovery aspects of the randomized world. The hints offer information about item locations and fog gate routes, making it easier to find items useful for character builds.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 505,849 reviews

story8,097 positive mentions

optimization9,184 negative mentions

story
30,380 mentions
27 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of *Elden Ring* is characterized by its cryptic and fragmented nature, requiring players to piece together lore through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and NPC dialogues. While many players appreciate the depth and richness of the lore, the lack of a quest log or clear guidance often leads to confusion and frustration, making it difficult to follow character arcs and complete quests without external help. Overall, the narrative is praised for its complexity and intrigue, but it can feel overwhelming and disjointed, especially for those unfamiliar with FromSoftware's storytelling style.
- “The gameplay is great, the story is captivating, and the world is beautifully crafted, making it an unforgettable experience.”
- “The storytelling is deep, with main and side quests adding layers to the lore, encouraging players to explore and engage with the world.”
- “Elden Ring's narrative is a masterpiece of subtle storytelling, woven into the world through environmental details, cryptic dialogue, and fragmented lore.”
- “The only thing I disliked was how loose the storyline is.”
- “The story is so complex and tough that it makes the Bermuda Triangle look like a jigsaw puzzle.”
- “The story is a convoluted mess, and the characters are so forgettable I can't recall a single name.”
gameplay
23,924 mentions
34 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Elden Ring* is widely praised for its challenging yet rewarding mechanics, offering a blend of familiar elements from previous FromSoftware titles while introducing new features like mounted combat and spirit summons. Players appreciate the depth and variety in combat styles, allowing for personalized gameplay experiences, though some criticize the game for its steep learning curve and occasional frustrating mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated for its immersive world, intricate lore, and the satisfaction derived from mastering its complex systems, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.
- “I really had fun with it; the world-building, the combat mechanics, and the builds you can create in the game are endless.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely addictive; the best soundtrack of all time, and the combat is tough yet rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is incredible; the sense of scale is unmatched, and it has one of the most well-built worlds I've ever experienced.”
- “The gameplay feels slow, sluggish, delayed, and just boring.”
- “The mechanics are convoluted to the point where outside help—be it forums or YouTube tutorials—is practically mandatory.”
- “The gameplay is a cumbersome mess, the open-world lacks substance, the story is forgettable, and technical problems abound.”
optimization
21,920 mentions
10 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
42 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Elden Ring" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting persistent performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following patches, the game is still criticized for being poorly optimized for PC, particularly in comparison to its console counterparts. Overall, while the gameplay and design are praised, the technical shortcomings continue to detract from the experience for many players.
- “The game's performance is great in most parts.”
- “It's got beautiful graphics and is optimized great.”
- “Every part of this game is so perfectly crafted, every performance a cut above the rest.”
- “Disabling EAC makes it a much more enjoyable experience and got rid of all my issues with performance in-game.”
- “The recent patches made the game's performance very poor, however.”
- “I can't give a game released in 2022, that after 2 years still is this badly optimized and that has its FPS locked to 60 to hide it.”
graphics
14,897 mentions
50 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Elden Ring" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate art design, creating a captivating and immersive world. Many players highlight the breathtaking landscapes and detailed character models, although some critiques mention performance issues and a lack of cutting-edge graphical fidelity compared to other recent titles. Overall, the game's aesthetic and artistic direction are celebrated, making it a visual masterpiece despite some technical shortcomings.
- “Amazing visuals.”
- “The graphics are stunning, creating a unique atmosphere that perfectly complements the narrative.”
- “The graphics are jaw-dropping, with stunning environments and flawless frame rates that make every moment immersive.”
- “Outdated 2010 era graphics.”
- “The graphics are like art.”
- “The graphics are mid, the mechanics are poorly coded, the game is somewhat difficult, the story is not presented well or explained in the game in an effective way, the only thing this game has going for it is it has good graphics.”
music
6,127 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Elden Ring" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional impact during exploration and boss fights. While some players find the music to be a standout feature, others feel it lacks memorability compared to previous FromSoftware titles, noting that much of the ambient music can blend together and become repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as high-quality, with epic themes accompanying significant encounters, but some players express disappointment in its less distinctive tracks.
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, composed by Yuka Kitamura and others, adds emotional weight to every battle and area.”
- “A well-suited OST shrouds the lands between in its beauty, with dynamic music that immerses the player in either combat or moments of relaxation.”
- “The music perfectly sets the tone for each fight, enhancing the overall experience and making every encounter feel epic.”
- “This is also the most blasé FromSoft OST, and I say that as a big fan of ambient music.”
- “I actually play with music muted because of how the ambient tracks drone on.”
- “The OST has practically no variation, making every song sound the same.”
grinding
3,996 mentions
1 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Elden Ring" has received mixed feedback from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some players appreciate the opportunity to explore and level up through various farming methods, others find the necessity of grinding for runes and levels to be a frustrating chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. The open-world design allows for flexibility in tackling challenges, but it can also lead to repetitive encounters and a sense of aimlessness, particularly in the late game. Overall, players agree that significant grinding is required to progress, making it a game best suited for those who enjoy a grind-heavy experience.
- “No grinding necessary.”
- “Next to no farming required unless you want every armor set in the game.”
- “The gameplay is not too grindy and hard but still challenging (in a good way).”
- “Very grindy and unforgiving, fyi.”
- “Honestly a really fun game but takes a lot of grinding before you can really progress to the true bosses in the storyline.”
- “The game is very tedious if you don't look anything up or use summons, and extremely easy if you do either.”
stability
2,834 mentions
13 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The stability of "Elden Ring" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly on PC. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal interruptions, a substantial number have faced frustrating freezes, crashes, and inconsistent frame rates that can disrupt critical moments in gameplay. Overall, while the game offers an engaging experience, its stability issues have led to mixed reviews, with many recommending patience for further patches and optimizations.
- “The game runs great, has great looking (and some horrifying enemies that make me wonder who the hell came up with this thing) and most of the bosses look great with a fantastic score.”
- “No tech issues, no stutters, no freezes or crashes.”
- “The game runs great on my 3060ti GPU/5800x CPU with almost everything maxed.”
- “The quests are a buggy mess that are basically impossible to complete without a guide, with NPCs teleporting across the entire vast world between each quest stage and giving no indication of where they've gone to next.”
- “Great game but the multiplayer on this game is dreadful; can't even join my friends. Tried everything such as uninstalling and reinstalling the game, didn't work, so I resorted to resetting my network settings which again didn't work.”
- “The game has the worst performance issues of any game I have ever played; most of the time it shows the loading screen then crashes, and others I load into the game but the load bar freezes halfway through.”
atmosphere
2,472 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Elden Ring" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world design, creating a rich and engaging experience that draws players into its dark fantasy setting. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and dread through its diverse environments, each with its own unique atmosphere, from serene landscapes to ominous dungeons. While some players note that the open-world design can dilute the tight-knit atmosphere characteristic of previous FromSoftware titles, the overall consensus is that the game's atmospheric depth and intricate world-building make it a standout entry in the genre.
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and visual storytelling immerse you in its world.”
- “The atmospheric lighting, the shift from sunlit plains to ominous, fog-covered valleys, and the colossal architecture combine to make each area feel unique.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful score perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, drawing you deeper into its mystical world.”
- “But for players who appreciated the more focused, intense atmosphere of Dark Souls, the game can feel a bit dispersive, lacking the tight-knit design that made its predecessors so iconic.”
- “The atmosphere is so captivating, sometimes it's almost impossible to quit the game.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the story (that you'll have to do some digging for).”
replayability
2,336 mentions
43 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Elden Ring is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its vast open world, diverse character builds, and multiple endings. Players appreciate the freedom to experiment with various weapons and playstyles, making each playthrough feel unique. However, some critiques mention that the game's size and certain repetitive elements can diminish replay value over time, particularly after the initial exploration. Overall, it remains a highly replayable title, often compared favorably to previous FromSoftware games.
- “The replayability is fantastic; every playthrough I discover something I had never known before.”
- “The variety of weapons, abilities, and builds offers endless replayability.”
- “With its extremely high replay value, this game will keep you coming back for more, time and time again.”
- “The DLC is even worse on zero replayability; once you defeat the final boss (which spoiler alert is another reused version of the main game), you won't or even need to return since there is a whole different difficulty scaling system.”
- “The game is great, open world with small questlines all around you, dungeons with small bosses, the main questline with I think 7 different endings depending on the choices you make in some of the small questlines. The only minus is the replayability because after the first game or two you know everything about the game and all that there is to do is to either learn the bosses to the point where you no-hit them or just try different builds.”
- “The sheer amount of reused content throughout the game gives it a replayability issue, but by the time you've reached NG+ you've already gotten your money's worth from the experience, and then some.”
humor
1,636 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Elden Ring" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's dark, sardonic wit and the hilarious messages left by the community. Many find joy in the absurdity of their deaths, often laughing at the unexpected ways they meet their demise, while the quirky character designs and unexpected encounters add to the comedic experience. Overall, the blend of challenging gameplay and humorous moments creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere that resonates with both seasoned players and newcomers alike.
- “I had to take frequent breaks to recover from doubling over laughing after sending groups of moaning, decrepit 'soldiers' and 'wizards' flying into the wall with my berserk-inspired broadsword.”
- “The messages players leave can be helpful and funny, which increased my overall enjoyment.”
- “The humor found in community memes and commentary about our collective suffering adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise grim and relentless journey.”
- “Also, the messages have become just plain unfunny and annoying.”
- “What I dislike (read only when you have beaten the game): [spoiler] the final boss is an unfunny joke, it's so bad I don't want to beat the game again because of it.”
- “Underwhelming rewards for everything from combat to exploration, not great UI, not great map, not great netcode (2 disconnects out of 4 attempts), pointless crafting, absolutely flooded with unfunny meme soapstone messages, the 'lore' is just a find and replace on Dark Souls... it's oooooooooookay but I really don't think it's anything special at all.”
emotional
1,347 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Elden Ring" has resonated deeply with players, evoking a wide range of feelings from joy and nostalgia to frustration and heartbreak. Many reviewers express that the game rekindles the wonder of childhood gaming experiences, akin to playing "Skyrim" for the first time, while the haunting soundtrack and rich lore amplify the emotional weight of each encounter. Players frequently mention crying during pivotal moments, whether from the beauty of the game, the challenge of difficult bosses, or the poignant stories of NPCs, making it a profoundly immersive and emotionally charged experience.
- “Each region’s aesthetic and lore seem to reflect different elements of the Elden Ring mythos, creating a world that is as emotionally rich as it is visually striking.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, composed by Yuka Kitamura and others, adds emotional weight to every battle and area.”
- “Every moment becomes not just a test of skill, but an immersive visual and emotional experience that pulls you into its radiant, elevated realm.”
- “Pretty world, boring story.”
- “All the beautiful arts and visuals cannot save this game from its boring story, dead open world, and annoying grindfest.”
- “Tedious and repetitive with a vague, boring story.”
monetization
544 mentions
10 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
37 % negative mentions
The monetization model of Elden Ring has been overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, and pay-to-win mechanics, which many players see as a refreshing departure from the current trend in the gaming industry. Reviewers appreciate that the game offers a complete experience for a single purchase, emphasizing that it respects players by providing all content without additional costs or hidden fees. This approach has led to a strong positive reception, with many considering it a model for future game development.
- “The absence of microtransactions and a focus on delivering a fully realized product speak volumes about the integrity of the developers behind this gem.”
- “In an age where most games come out borderline unplayable and filled with as many microtransactions as they can fit, Elden Ring was a breath of fresh air.”
- “There's something to be said about a best-selling entry in a franchise among the greatest of all time being a single-player, box product in a market saturated with live-service multiplayer and predatory monetization.”
- “In a world full of games trying to squeeze every penny out of you with microtransactions and garbage content, Elden Ring stands tall and proud, made with nothing but love and passion.”
- “This game is what should be a standard for companies nowadays who focus too much on creating cash grab garbage with terrible story and get upset when players push back.”
character development
480 mentions
51 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in "Elden Ring" is a mixed bag, with many players praising the extensive customization options that allow for diverse builds and play styles, enhancing the overall experience. However, some critics argue that the narrative and character arcs are underdeveloped, often leaving the main character feeling like a blank slate with minimal emotional depth. While the game's stunning character designs and environmental storytelling are frequently highlighted, the lack of traditional character development and engaging side quests has left some players wanting more in terms of narrative richness.
- “Character development in Elden Ring is deeply satisfying, offering a wealth of customization options that shape your journey through the Lands Between.”
- “The rich story, delivered through bosses, item descriptions, cutscenes, character designs, and even architecture, creates a vivid and encapsulating experience that feels organic rather than forced.”
- “The extensive skill tree, combined with the flexibility of weapon and magic combinations, grants a sense of agency over character development.”
- “There's basically no character development and the main character is a completely blank slate with a motivation that never gets explored.”
- “Character development and storyline are terrible, extremely overrated.”
- “The repetitive enemies, lack of character development, interesting NPCs, or a compelling narrative combined with mediocre graphics and tedious UI combine to make Elden Ring feel more like a chore than anything else.”