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 326,858 reviews

story5,291 positive mentions

optimization6,660 negative mentions

story
19,825 mentions
27 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Elden Ring" is characterized by its cryptic and fragmented narrative, requiring players to piece together lore through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and sparse NPC dialogue. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the world-building, many find the lack of a clear quest log or guidance frustrating, often needing to consult external resources to fully grasp the story. Overall, the game offers a rich tapestry of lore and character arcs, but its storytelling approach may not resonate with those seeking a more straightforward narrative experience.
- “The story was told with passion.”
- “It's a complete game, and a FromSoftware game, so the story is rich, interesting with compelling characters to immerse yourself into the game and solve all the secrets and mysteries!”
- “The story, combat, replayability, and exploration are all immaculately crafted to make the perfect video game.”
- “Speaking of the story, I wouldn't even classify the game's story as a story.”
- “The 'story' in Elden Ring combines the worst of both worlds, that is, Miyazaki's cryptic (read 'broken') lore texts coupled with many GRRM's repetitive elements you probably read in A Song of Ice and Fire: twins, intertwining royal family trees, familial in-fighting, political strife, same-sounding names (Godfrey, Godwyn, Godrick, Godefroy, …) and so on.”
- “The quests are very convoluted and require following an online guide if you don't want to accidentally get locked out of quest progression.”
optimization
16,034 mentions
11 % 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, particularly on PC. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay after recent patches, others continue to struggle with these technical problems, leading to frustration during critical moments in the game. Overall, while the game is praised for its design and gameplay, the optimization remains a major concern that developers are expected to address in future updates.
- “It was a very smooth, well-optimized experience.”
- “The game runs smoothly and looks amazing.”
- “Performance and technical issues were relatively minor and did not detract from the overall experience.”
- “The performance is terrible even with the latest update and patch, the game stutters and crashes.”
- “The stuttering and frame drops make the game unplayable.”
- “The game is just an unplayable, unoptimized mess on pc, the game will frequently crash even on systems that far surpass the recommended settings.”
gameplay
15,759 mentions
34 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Elden Ring" has received a mix of praise and criticism from players. Many appreciate the challenging and rewarding combat mechanics, which build upon the established "souls" formula while introducing new features like mounted combat and spirit summons, enhancing exploration and strategy. However, some players find certain mechanics frustrating, citing issues with boss design, input responsiveness, and the steep learning curve, particularly for newcomers to the genre. Overall, while the game offers a vast and immersive world with significant replayability, its difficulty and mechanics can be polarizing, making it a title that appeals to dedicated fans of the "souls" series but may deter casual players.
- “The gameplay is where Elden Ring truly shines.”
- “Elden Ring seamlessly blends the best elements of FromSoftware's previous works, such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, while introducing innovative features to create a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are fluid and challenging, keeping me engaged for hours on end.”
- “The overall gameplay just feels difficult in every aspect and thus gradually becomes tedious.”
- “The movement and looking mechanics are horrific on keyboard and mouse.”
- “The gameplay loop is literally built around dying endlessly, yet there's a sort of comfort that brings when exploring the incredible open world.”
graphics
10,110 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Elden Ring" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and artistic design, with many players praising the game's breathtaking landscapes and intricate character models. While some users noted performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail have been highlighted as standout features that enhance the immersive experience. Despite some criticisms regarding optimization and occasional stuttering, the game's art direction and visual appeal have solidified its reputation as a visually impressive title in the gaming landscape.
- “That aside, this game is utterly beautiful in several aspects: visuals, music, combat, story, etc. I don’t regret this purchase and you won’t either!”
- “The graphics and depth are amazing.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is amazing, the story is great.”
- “The graphics are terrible.”
- “The graphics look like a game from 2005.”
- “The graphics are not up to par for a game released in 2022.”
music
3,906 mentions
51 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in "Elden Ring" has received mixed reviews from players, with many praising its epic boss themes and atmospheric tracks that enhance the game's immersive experience. While some players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, comparable to previous FromSoftware titles, others feel it lacks memorability and variety, particularly in the ambient exploration music. Overall, the game's music is generally regarded as high-quality, contributing significantly to the emotional weight of encounters and the overall atmosphere of the expansive world.
- “The music is phenomenal, following in the steps of the previous FromSoftware titles.”
- “The art direction effectively captures the beauty and desolation of the lands between, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that elevates the emotional impact of key moments.”
- “The soundtrack is one of the best in the history of gaming: it's as good as the ones in previous Dark Souls titles.”
- “The music is completely forgettable.”
- “The boss music is the lamest in the entire soulsborne series.”
- “The soundtrack is bland and uninspired, maybe two tracks that stand out but mostly orchestral drivel.”
grinding
2,700 mentions
1 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Elden Ring" has received mixed reviews from players. While many appreciate the ability to farm runes and level up through exploration, some find the process tedious and repetitive, especially when facing numerous copy-pasted bosses and long routes to respawn points. Overall, players agree that while grinding can enhance character progression and provide a sense of accomplishment, it can also lead to frustration and a feeling of monotony, particularly in the late game.
- “200 hours of actual gameplay and exploring, no grinding or farming, boss fights that seem impossible until you learn their weakness or pattern, which is always satisfying.”
- “Easily 200 hours worth of unique exploring and story, very little to almost no grinding.”
- “The visuals are amazing, the progression is sensible and not grindy.”
- “Elden Ring doesn’t have many decent farming locations, and the only real one is locked behind an absurd NPC quest that requires you to kill a demigod first and then run around lots of places before you can access the place.”
- “In all probability you will have an utterly miserable time if you try to actually beat this game and will end up spending many hours grinding enough XP to have a ghost of a chance while all the freaks on YouTube beat absurdly tough bosses with a loincloth and a wooden stick and hardly any leveling.”
- “The overall gameplay just feels difficult in every aspect and thus gradually becomes tedious.”
stability
2,069 mentions
14 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The stability of Elden Ring has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and performance issues, particularly on PC. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal glitches, a substantial number have faced frustrating stuttering and input lag, especially during intense combat situations. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess" by many, with calls for further optimization and patches to address these ongoing issues.
- “This game is extremely polished, and it feels/plays very smooth with no glitches that I've encountered so far.”
- “The game runs great now with the latest GTX driver update!”
- “It is one of the very few games in the last decade that have been released finished, full, bug free and ready to go, with no microtransactions.”
- “Freezes after 5 minutes of gameplay, have tried multiple times.”
- “Horrible performance issues, crashes and freezes frequently along with general FPS drops.”
- “Came back to the game to try and get into it and the 1-2 second long double freezes every minute or so were too much to overcome.”
atmosphere
1,515 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Elden Ring" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world design, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its richly detailed environments. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and dread, with each area offering a unique atmosphere that enhances exploration and storytelling. While some note a departure from the darker tones of previous FromSoftware titles, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a significant strength, contributing to its status as a masterpiece in the open-world genre.
- “The dark, alluring atmosphere will keep you engaged in exploration for hours.”
- “The dynamic and interconnected world, coupled with the game's atmospheric visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that has left players enamored and solidified Elden Ring as a masterpiece in the realm of video games.”
- “The atmosphere is so captivating, sometimes it's almost impossible to quit the game.”
- “The combat is sloppy as poo, the dodge keybind is also bound to your sprint causing your dodge to occupy a delay, the game is capped at 60 fps, sunset overdrive wields a better looking ui, the multiplayer is more irrelevant than dax, the story is a pig pile of meh, the atmosphere is depressing as fuck, a tutorial is needed for everything that's even a minor convenience and many more.”
- “The atmosphere is boring and overly grey.”
- “The atmosphere while playing this game is just exactly like you would expect from such a theme.”
replayability
1,489 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
5 % 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 explore different paths and experiment with various playstyles, ensuring that each playthrough can feel unique and engaging. However, some critiques mention that the sheer size of the game can lead to a sense of repetitiveness in later playthroughs, potentially diminishing the overall replay value compared to previous titles in the series.
- “Elden Ring has a huge, sprawling world with plenty to discover, challenging and satisfying boss fights that reward skillful play, and a variety of playstyles and game mechanics that add plenty of replayability, not to mention the beautiful music, environment, effects, and models.”
- “The replayability is insane; this game is amazing.”
- “What truly sets Elden Ring apart is its exceptional replayability, as the game's numerous branching paths, diverse character builds, and hidden lore encourage players to revisit the world multiple times, each playthrough unearthing new narratives and strategies.”
- “Crucial dialogues are not replayable; if you accidentally missed some information, without looking for a guide, it can take forever to figure out what to do next.”
- “The massive size of the game doesn't help as there's a lot of copy-paste content, it makes you really burnt out and there's no enjoyment in replayability.”
- “The open world leads to some awkward difficulty progression, and it really harms the replayability of the game.”
humor
1,102 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the comedic elements found in both gameplay and community interactions. Many find the absurdity of deaths, quirky enemy behaviors, and the hilarious messages left by other players to be a source of joy, often leading to laughter even in frustrating moments. The game's blend of dark themes with lighthearted moments creates a unique atmosphere that keeps players engaged and entertained.
- “Many had fun surprises mid-fight that made me laugh out loud.”
- “The messages left by other players are hilarious (especially when they tell you to jump - how could I resist?) and the graphics were divine.”
- “The community itself is also pretty funny, most of the time.”
- “Clunky controls and littered with unfunny memes from players.”
- “It's like Skyrim, but not funny.”
- “Only real complaint is all the spam messages on the ground everywhere, it's not funny when you say 'behold door,' or 'behold tree,' or 'hidden path ahead' at every single corner of the map.”
emotional
854 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Elden Ring" has garnered a wide range of responses from players, with many expressing profound feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia throughout their journey. While some players found the game to be an emotional rollercoaster that evoked tears of both joy and frustration, others felt a lack of emotional connection to the story and characters, citing predictable quest outcomes. Overall, the game's stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and challenging gameplay contribute to a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players on multiple emotional levels, making it a memorable entry in the open-world RPG genre.
- “The art direction effectively captures the beauty and desolation of the lands between, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that elevates the emotional impact of key moments.”
- “2022's game of the year Elden Ring is astoundingly fun, beautiful, brilliant, and emotionally tumultuous.”
- “This game made me cry and mad more than I can count.”
- “Tedious and repetitive with a vague, boring story.”
- “Pretty mid game, relatively boring story that is unnecessarily complicated.”
- “Usually open world means hollow landscapes, pointless and repetitive side missions and exploration traps, and boring story lines.”
monetization
381 mentions
10 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Elden Ring" has been overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, and other predatory practices common in modern gaming. Reviewers appreciate that the game offers a complete experience for a single price, allowing players to fully engage with its content without additional costs or pay-to-win mechanics, marking it as a refreshing departure from the cash grab mentality prevalent in the industry today. Overall, the game's approach to monetization has been seen as a significant factor in its success and a model for future titles.
- “In a day and age bogged down with microtransactions, DLCs on release, and payable cosmetics, Elden Ring embraces the traditional solo RPG and gives its player immediate access to hundreds of hours of content.”
- “No microtransactions, no pay-to-win, no live service, no political correctness, or SJW BS.”
- “This game is a masterpiece with no microtransactions.”
- “Cash grab!!”
- “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.”
- “This game is such a breath of fresh air, after constant cash grabs and carbon copies year after year, Elden Ring has proven that innovative game design still works.”
character development
319 mentions
50 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the depth of customization and the freedom to shape one's character through various builds and choices. However, several reviews highlight a lack of meaningful character evolution and narrative depth, suggesting that while character design is visually impressive, the emotional and story-driven aspects are often underwhelming. Overall, players appreciate the intricate character designs and the RPG elements but express disappointment in the limited character development compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The game's rich lore, engaging storytelling, and deep character development provide a narrative depth rarely seen in the gaming world.”
- “The character development possibilities are almost endless.”
- “The character design and boss design is outstanding and has some of the coolest boss fights, both visually stunning and challenging.”
- “The character designs and choices are limited, offering little in terms of ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity.”
- “Limited character development: beyond attribute improvement, there's little in terms of character evolution or depth.”
- “There's barely any story, no interesting side quests, or any character development.”