Games Inbox: Is Elden Ring actually an easy game?

To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Easy weekend
Excellent Reader’s Feature at the weekend about FromSoftware games which, judging by the comments, shows that lots of people still don’t understand what they’re doing by demanding an easy mode. It’s not your game. Who are you to tell From what to do with it? If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Somehow, I think they’re survive.

To suggest that’s gatekeeping on the part of those that enjoy the status quo is just as silly because it doesn’t matter what I think anyway. After over half a dozen games it’s very clear that From don’t give a damn what anyone thinks and are just doing their own thing – and thank god for that. There’s nothing to suggest From has taken any notice of people on either side of the argument, and I’ll bet you the launch sales of Elden Ring will prove they were right to stick with their own vision.

All the arguments for adding an easy mode always seem to come from people who, judging by their comments, have barely, if ever, played the games. Play the games in co-op, like the reader the other day described with his dad and brother, and it becomes genuinely easy, especially the bosses.

If all you want to do is feel like an impervious superhero then there are plenty of other games to suit you. Games like Elden Ring are by far in the minority and yet still these bullies and killjoys seem convinced they know better than the multi-award winning FromSoftware.

I’ve been playing Elden Ring all weekend and I can tell you two things: 1) it’s amazing and 2) it’s actually quite easy compared to previous games. Easy if you keep your head about you and don’t run around like you’re in Assassin’s Creed or some other made-to-be-beaten hack ‘n’ slash. If you don’t like From games that’s fine but don’t try to tell the people that make them how to do their job.
Grant

Easier time
Regarding the Elden Ring Hot Topic (and general FromSoft discourse), I once again find myself wondering how exactly difficulty settings would affect the people so opposed to them. Supposing that a game is created with a standard normal mode difficulty in mind, most people looking for that level of challenge will be fulfilled. So why is the idea of an optional, easier mode so abhorrent?

The artistic intent argument doesn’t hold water at all, because the artistic intent of normal mode is still there. So what if somebody chooses an easier time of things (say for example, damage modifier sliders like Axiom Verge 2 provided)? The people who don’t want that don’t have to use it and can experience the game as it was intended and the people unable to enjoy it at that level, whether because of lack of skill or disability, but are drawn to the world or the lore or whatever it may be, can still find enjoyment in the game.

‘But in terms of the challenge of the game itself? That has to be the same for everyone or there’s no point the game even existing’ is an absurd statement. People should be able to take away anything they want from a gaming experience, and it frankly does come across as gatekeeping snobbery that FromSoft fans seem to think there is a right way to play a game.
Anon

Movie insult
Of course FromSoftware games are magnificent, as a developer they seem to be able to do no wrong and create masterpieces which I adore. They quite rightly shouldn’t feel the need to change their vision to suit anyone else.

But on the subject of it being insulting for an audience to try and dictate changes to someone’s attempt to execute on a vision… it’s not always insulting for the audience to do this. Sometimes the insult is other way round, as with the Sonic the Hedgehog.

Feedback can be a very valuable tool in creative design. I do hope FromSoftware have a thicker skin than to find feedback insulting. Just as I hope they don’t change anyway and stay true to the wonderful vision they have for their video games.
Henshin Agogo
PS: Thank you to the Underbox who gave me a number of good tips to aid my Metroid Dread navigation woes. The tip to use ‘Y’ to highlight specific icons on the map which your new power can navigate past has been a particular help. As has the more blunt advice to just Google roughly where to go after a specific upgrade. I’m doing both now and the game is far less stressful!

Comedy of errors
You kindly printed my Hot Topic contribution about playing Soulsborne games with my dad. As a timely and predictable follow up please see the two Elden Ring videos I’ve linked to here and here.

Though the mic and chat audio isn’t present I can tell you that we were crying with laughter. This game really benefits from the levity of friends. I hope everyone is thoroughly enjoying it.
Matt

Ghost of a chance
So the showcase for Ghostwire: Tokyo happened and it left as it came, without a trace of much fanfare. More importantly, Sony is doing much less to market this timed exclusive and I see this as the 2022 version of Days Gone. It’s from the developers of the disappointment that was The Evil Within 2 and it doesn’t seem to generate much hype, when it’s looking like a pie that’s been in the oven for only a minute.

The gameplay is essentially a simulation of a Doctor Strange video game and the plot does less to market any reason to care, or even throw away our money, when a game such as Elden Ring is doing so well. This is a disappointing venture from Tango Gameworks and the nail in the coffin for Bethesda on PlayStation 5. Let’s pray for Starfield.
Shahzaib Sadiq

GC: A pie that’s only been in the oven for a minute? It’s been in development for five years and It looked pretty good from what we saw.

Time poor
RE: laj105. Couldn’t agree more. I’ve started to give more and more huge world games a pass, as I’ve got limited gaming time and whilst I started Bloodborne, and even enjoyed it, I just found myself not wanting to play it and playing something else instead. Time is precious and I just find myself enjoying playing a game where I can progress more easily and do different things, see different environments etc., etc. rather than having to repeat stuff endlessly.

I always ignored Metal Gear Solid games for the fact that in my limited game time, I didn’t want to sit watching cut scenes and never actually get to play a game.

Similarly, I tend to skip multiplayer online shooters, as they usually require you to invest a lot of time to learn maps, perfect your skills, etc., etc.

What is worse is that people seem to think you’re less of a gamer for ignoring Soulsborne games and talk patronisingly to you for not playing them.

Each to their own. If you have time and patience, great, but I don’t!
Kiran

Freedom to run
I’d never played any Dark Souls or FromSoftware games until last year when I picked up a ridiculously cheap second-hand copy of Demon’s Souls for PlayStation 5.

I mostly enjoyed the game. The art design is great and the graphics were amazing. The combat is engaging. I enjoyed the slower, more meticulous nature of the battles and a successful parry is so satisfying.

However, I didn’t enjoy losing my progress each time I died, and this ultimately ruined the experience for me. I don’t mind dying or getting my ass handed to me but not to then have to start again. It feels cheap to me, an artificial way of making the game more challenging.

I have however ordered Elden Ring. I’ve read a few articles and reviews and the ability to save your progress at Sites of Grace and Stakes of Marika along with the ability to run away from certain enemies and just explore the world and come back later makes me hopeful that I may find Elden Ring more accessible.
matc7884

Extraction issue
I need to purchase an audio extractor to connect my PlayStation 5 to my home theatre system, but am a bit confused by the contrast of reviews of the ones that I have looked at.

I would really appreciate any suggestions on the right one to buy, I had previously run an optical cable from the TV to the audio system but the weight of the TV against the cable on to the wall has damaged it, so this is not a practical option. Here’s hoping someone can help.
Anon

That wretched ape
I remember vividly getting Dark Souls 1 on the Xbox 360. My children were very young and up late at night for feeds. I wasn’t sleeping much, stayed up late and was able to spend evenings getting pummelled in an absolutely captivating environment. It was one of those rare games where I actually thought about it during the day, what it all meant and how I was going to overcome the latest cruel foe. Back then I was in my late 30s. It was an unforgettable experience, but I didn’t manage to beat it and got frustrated. Not understanding most of the online mechanics or the game’s lore.

Some years later, on GC’s recommendation, I plunged into Dark Souls 3 and was completely hooked. It was an awesome game about which I again obsessed but this time I was successful. It made me want to play more and more Dark Souls and it drew me back into Dark Souls with Dark Souls 2 and then Dark Souls 1 thanks to the fabulous Switch version which on my return I competed some seven years later.

I’ve played From’s games in the following order:

Dark Souls 1 (Xbox 360) – gave up at Iziliath
Dark Souls 3 (Xbox One) – completed
Dark Souls 2 (Xbox One) – completed
Dark Souls 1 (Switch) – completed
Bloodborne (PS4) – completed
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4) – gave up at Guardian Ape
Demon’s Souls (PS5) – completed
Dark Souls 3 (Xbox One) – New Game+++
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS5)…

Now as a 50-year-old, my instincts aren’t as sharp as they once were, nor do I have anything like as much time to devote to From’s epics, but I committed not to play Elden Ring until I’d gone back and beaten Sekiro. The only recent From game to elude me. This filled me with dread as I’d spent a week on Seven Spears and two weeks on Genichiro before just giving up with that wretched ape.

However, this time something clicked. The combat seemed so clear and obvious. 60fps perhaps or was it me – I got in my opponents’ face and didn’t let up. Watched their moves and timed those blocks. I sailed through Seven Spears first time, Genichiro at my fifth attempt, and then confronted the ape. After a dozen tries I got him, really enjoying the fight – I was ecstatic. I went on to ace the apes again when they both rocked up. I had a fantastic time with Owl and the Corrupted Monk. Both of whom I dispatched in less than an hour of first meeting.

Which brought me to the day of Elden Ring’s release – naturally I had to pre-order but I hadn’t finished Sekiro. I sat down on launch day starting just after the Corrupted Monk – absolutely loving all the fighting on the Fountainhead level. OK, I skipped the mini-bosses and there was no way I was taking on Seven Spears with a henchman alongside. By pure fluke I found I could get beyond them avoiding the fight and moving to the final boss…

Which is where I am now. I can take out Genichiro in seconds without losing any health but what have From done to me with this last guy!? I can’t give up again, not this far on but I desperately want to get into Elden Ring.

Thank you FromSoftware for the best ever games – all of them are magnificent. Pure genius.
tweedledumpling

GC: The final boss of Sekrio sure is something but keep at it – you’re nearly there and your reward is getting to play Elden Ring!

Inbox also-rans
Just to help Andrew J, Argos are often very competitive on game price and currently have Metroid Dread at £36.99. Argos always sell the UK version, unlike Amazon. Argos prices do fluctuate, I bought Pokémon Legends: Arceus on launch day for £39.99, it’s currently £49.99. Happy gaming.
Ed

Just a quick message to say the article written by reader Gambage, regarding Elden Ring not having an easy mode, was superb and spot on.
Anon

This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Focus, who asks what do you want from Pokémon Scarlet/Violet and the future of the franchise in general?

The ninth generation of Pokémon games will be released this Christmas but what changes are you hoping to see in the formula, based on predecessor Sword/Shield and the more recent Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

What does your dream Pokémon game look like and how close do you think Scarlet/Violet will get to that ideal? How happy are you with the state of the franchise at the moment and what do you think needs to change the most?

E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE : Weekend Hot Topic, part 1: Your favourite Soulsborne memories

MORE : Games Inbox: Elden Ring game of the year, Street Fighter 6 dissent, and Sol Cresta disappointment

MORE : Games Inbox: Elden Ring being too hard, Elden Ring vs. Bloodborne, and avoiding Elden Ring invasions

Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.