As said in the title its truly a breathtaking game, the graphics, bosses, beautiful scenery and weapons will all pleasantly surprise you. It seems there's something around every single corner, whether that thing wants to kill you or reward you, its equally amazing. Where this game shines is in its freedom and its spectacular first half which is immersive and challenging, using the aforementioned freedom to give players a seemingly endless array of solutions to these challenges that manage to be both frustrating and addictive (like the other souls games, and don't forget Sekiro and Bloodborne which in my opinion perfected this style of gaming). Players will struggle with the first story boss, but due to Elden Ring's huge and immersive world, players feel encourages to simply explore what it has to offer and then return to the fight when they're ready. You can find better gear, level stats, craft new items, which can be obtained from just riding around on your horse enjoying the beautiful scenery, and seeing some loot or enemies in the distant. The first 30 hours or so are everything I wanted from this game... and then there's the halfway point, where things go slightly downhill.
I may be sounding slightly dramatic, it isn't a nosedive in quality, but the difference is there. Personally, i wasn't as adventurous anymore from Mountaintop of the Giants to the end of the game. This is due to 2 things.
1. Overused enemies getting boring to fight against, most being mini bosses in the early game used way too many times. I was no longer excited to discover new challenges, because in the end i'd just find another Crucible Knight.
2. Extreme mount of damage, unfair even. Even miniature enemies took huge chunks off my HP every hit. I had over 50 vigor, but that wasn't enough for regular enemies to absolutely destroy me in a few hits whilst i'm trying to explore.
Bosses especially can reduce you down to a single AOE, with neverending combos that only allow you to get a single hit in or two. Some bosses feel designed for certain builds (*cough cough Maliketh cough cough*). That being said these aren't game ruining experiences, if you find it too hard you can summon spirits, people or just cheese the boss you're struggling on if you truly can't find another way. I felt like changing my build because it often felt like some form of OP bleed or sorcery build was required just to stand a chance. Don't let this put you off though, it's an excellent game with fantastic lore for you to follow and dark souls combat with more fluidity, and it does stick the landing at the end.
You do get through those seemingly impossible challenges, everyone does, but at times Elden Ring really tested how long you're willing to wait.
I may be sounding slightly dramatic, it isn't a nosedive in quality, but the difference is there. Personally, i wasn't as adventurous anymore from Mountaintop of the Giants to the end of the game. This is due to 2 things.
1. Overused enemies getting boring to fight against, most being mini bosses in the early game used way too many times. I was no longer excited to discover new challenges, because in the end i'd just find another Crucible Knight.
2. Extreme mount of damage, unfair even. Even miniature enemies took huge chunks off my HP every hit. I had over 50 vigor, but that wasn't enough for regular enemies to absolutely destroy me in a few hits whilst i'm trying to explore.
Bosses especially can reduce you down to a single AOE, with neverending combos that only allow you to get a single hit in or two. Some bosses feel designed for certain builds (*cough cough Maliketh cough cough*). That being said these aren't game ruining experiences, if you find it too hard you can summon spirits, people or just cheese the boss you're struggling on if you truly can't find another way. I felt like changing my build because it often felt like some form of OP bleed or sorcery build was required just to stand a chance. Don't let this put you off though, it's an excellent game with fantastic lore for you to follow and dark souls combat with more fluidity, and it does stick the landing at the end.
You do get through those seemingly impossible challenges, everyone does, but at times Elden Ring really tested how long you're willing to wait.