As GamesRadar puts it, Elden Ring is “both a refinement and evolution of the Dark Souls formula, presenting an expansive world that’s as hostile as it is inviting,” an apt description after giving the game a rare but well-deserved 5/5 rating. IGN echoed the same thoughts, describing Elden Ring as “FromSoftware’s largest and most ambitious game yet” and “a game that moved a genre forward.” Polygon also drives the same point home, describing Elden Ring as the “natural next step for FromSoftware”, detailing how the game “plucks the best from “Bloodborne, with its compact, puzzle-like mini-dungeons, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which offered new levels of mobility and faster action.” It also appears that Miyazaki wasn’t lying in an earlier statement when he mentioned that Elden Ring will be far more accessible compared to the studio’s previous games. According to NME, “Though Elden Ring’s boss fights and dungeons may not be outright easier, there are more ways for players to tackle their challenges.” If we’re being honest, it’s difficult to look for a review that tells of what FromSoftware did wrong with Elden Ring, which is a testament to the game’s quality. Here’s a round-up of all the other notable critic reviews of Elden Ring ahead of its February 25 launch.
Eurogamer Destructoid - 10/10 Video Games Chronicle - 5/5 GameRant - 5/5 PCGamesN - 10/10 Cultured Vultures - 10/10
It’s very rare for a game to exceed all the hype that preceded it, but that’s exactly what Elden Ring has accomplished. It’s as close to perfect as a game can get, or at least, that’s what all the critics are saying. Of course, being that it is still by FromSoftware, the game likely isn’t going to be a walk in the park. However, the game’s “accessibility” is a promising feature that should make gamers who usually wouldn’t be caught within a mile from a Soulsborne game give it a try. Plus, the fact that Elden Ring is a true open-world game that eschews convention by actually being filled with stuff to see and do and not just your typical fetch quests should make it easier for most gamers to gravitate towards it. TLDR; after all the delays, Elden Ring was well worth waiting for.
