{"id":62954,"date":"2022-02-12T11:28:05","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T10:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joypad.ch\/?p=62954"},"modified":"2022-02-12T11:28:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T10:28:42","slug":"elden-ring-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joypad.ch\/en\/anteprima-elden-ring\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Elden Ring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Elden Ring is more than an open-world Dark Souls: We've played From Software's action RPG for six hours and are ready to take you on a crazy journey.<\/p>\n

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FromSoftware's Elden Ring will be released on February 25, 2022, for PC, PlayStation 4\/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S\/X. The creators of Dark Souls are applying their familiar gameplay formula to the world of open-world games. After last year's closed test, it was pretty clear that this game would be a hit!<\/p>\n

Customizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While in the Closed Network Test we could only rely on pre-made character classes and templates, the full character creation system has been integrated into this new version. The selection of available archetypes is extensive: the samurai, for example, skillfully wields his sword and fires fire arrows with his longbow. The astrologer, on the other hand, is extremely skilled in magic and, on command, can create a hail of blue energy projectiles or fire a glowing bow that deals area-of-effect damage. The prisoner, on the other hand, quickly creates an energy sword and hurls it at his opponents. Of course, these classes aren't definitive. With the runes you collect later, you can upgrade your character and push them in a different direction. But this decision is especially important for the first few steps into Elden Ring and can also make it easier or harder to get started. You can adjust your character's appearance with a series of sliders for individual areas. This system isn't particularly convenient, but it serves its purpose.<\/p>\n

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Welcome back, stranger!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Unlike the first trial, this time we begin in the "Chapel of Anticipation." From there, we descend a few steps into an internal courtyard. The first boss is already waiting for us there. But the beast is still hopelessly superior to our young hero. A few hits and you die on the first screen. Don't worry, this is intentional, and a few moments later we'll find ourselves continuing in Limgrave. Opening the gate still sends a shiver down our spine, but of course, the vast landscape before us is just the beginning. Elden Ring offers a variety of very different environments and has its own unique style when it comes to depicting its world and its inhabitants. And that's exactly what we wanted to do in this playthrough: experiment and discover as many new things as possible.<\/p>\n

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\nWe quickly find a bonfire outside the storm gate and receive our trusty mount, Stormwind. With her, we can quickly cover distances and, if necessary, use her to escape during battles in the open world. Incidentally, the vastness of the landscape benefits the overall balance of the game. Of course, Elden Ring is a massively challenging game, a la Dark Souls, but it doesn't dictate the path through the adventure as much as previous FromSoftware games. Put simply, this means that if we get stuck at one point, we simply try another and return well-fortified. Elden Ring is generally more accessible, even if the monstrosities still humble us.<\/p>\n

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More monsters, more magic, more secrets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The game map, which expands with the help of fragments and stamps, provides better orientation in Elden Ring. We started from the back of the starting area. An earth vortex has appeared there, which allows us to catapult Stormwind into the air and carry him to the mountain behind it. Once there, there's a lot to see: on the plain before us, a horde of giants circles us. A fight is out of the question! Even more impressive are the atmospheric effects here. The lightning strikes with force and, combined with the giants, creates an enormously menacing atmosphere. Overall, Elden Ring is incredibly atmospheric and loves to tell the story of its world through the depiction of individual areas. Our path takes us past a ruined camp to a citadel. Stormwind disappears beneath our backsides at this moment. The reason: a ghost appeared out of nowhere. The red warrior swings his battle hammer and, not content, also unleashes fire attacks. Fortunately, his major attacks are clearly visible, allowing us to easily dodge them. What's striking about Elden Ring is that it relies much more on magic and particularly spectacular attacks. Finger seals and other aids emphasize the game's personal progression. This becomes even more evident later in the game. The fact that we can summon other classes for support is already known from last year's closed test.<\/p>\n

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In this test, we also tried summoning supporters, some of which were animals, like eagles or other creatures. They aren't particularly strong, but they serve as distractions and are extremely useful against bosses. Elden Ring's monster design is simply exceptional. The clump of Grafted Scions or the dragon that torments Limgrave are just the beginning: we'll soon encounter disturbing, multi-armed creatures or strange beings whose blunt skulls and large black eyes are reminiscent of the aliens from Area 51. Even crude characters like the snow witch, already familiar from the trailer, will appear on our path. Some help us along the way, others give side quests, and still others are less friendly.<\/p>\n

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Impressions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From Software and Elden Ring can only fail to live up to the expectations they've created. At least, that's our impression after well over 15 hours of gameplay. While aspects like the typically cryptic story and even the crafting still leave us with some questions, the overall construction of Elden Ring is already enormously impressive. No one would have thought that an open world would improve on the tried-and-true Souls formula to this extent. Elden Ring plays like its brilliant predecessors, yet feels fresh and different. The possibilities offered by the Stormwind mount and the many locations in particular contribute to the game's unique atmosphere. We're also curious to see what abilities we'll learn over the course of the game. Elden Ring is definitely on the road to success and should be a contender for the open-world crown in 2022.<\/p>\n