Discussion
New DLC and ray tracing hints found in update - https://hothardware.com/news/elden-ring-update-hin...
^^^ Dark Souls or if you own a PS5 Demon's Souls.
Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
Ruskie said:
Finished this the other day but I was very surprised as I beat Eldon Beast and it pretty much ended.
Decision time, NG+ or try Dark Souls.
I tried Dark Souls III The Ringed City and despite have a Gsync monitor & full screen on in Nvidia control panel I had terrible screen tearing, the only solution (I found online) was the select full screen and windowed mode in Gsync and play DSIII in Windowed mode.Decision time, NG+ or try Dark Souls.
Unless anyone else has a solution that worked.
Steven_RW said:
^^^ Dark Souls or if you own a PS5 Demon's Souls.
Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
If you have a PS5 you're all set to go. If you have an Xbox you'll miss the best (Bloodborne) and the worst (Demon's Souls). But you'll still have a huge amount of high quality stuff to get through. Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
I'd recommend tackling the series in the order that they were released:
Dark Souls
Dark Souls 2
Bloodborne
Dark Souls 3
Sekiro
Elden Ring
Demon's Souls (if you can be bothered).
Do the DLC for everything as you play it. In the case of Dark Souls and DS3 it is extremely good and sometimes better than the vase game. The Dark Souls 2 DLC is fantastic but significantly more difficult than the main game. Bloodborne's 'Old Hunters' DLC is still an industry standard for high quality DLC, it's f
king great.I recommend playing the games in that order so that you can appreciate how the craft has grown. If you play Dark Souls for the first time having played Elden Ring it will feel difficult and clunky, because the combat was less refined and the gameplay loop hadn't been perfected. Each of these games arguably made things more bearable for the player in some ways whilst maintaining a good level of challenge in others.
This is the reason why I put Demon's Souls Remake on as an optional extra. You can play it for free on PS+ and it does look absolutely incredible. However, it feels clunky and basic compared to even Dark Souls, like everything in it was a prototype for the better stuff that would come later. It's nice to revisit once you know the series really well to see where some recurring items, themes and characters started off but I wouldn't recommend it as the first game you play. It is very short but there is a midgame difficulty spike around the Maneater and Old Hero boss which is extremely irritating. There is a lot of clunky design left in that game, preserved to this day despite the graphical overhaul. The Dark Souls games just do pretty much everything Demon's Souls did, but better. The crown jewel of Dark Souls, DS2, even gives you a relatively degree of freedom like the Nexus in Demon's Souls did.
Bloodborne, despite still being locked to 30fps, is absolutely incredible. Not just a highpoint for the series but for gaming as a whole. It significantly modified the formula of the series enough that it feels entirely unique (I still use 100% Phys Shields in every other game despite preferring the dodge and rally combat of BB, so the refinement there worked in forcing me to play differently).
Sekiro is also incredible. It's not quite Elden Ring or Bloodborne good but it does well in taking the Souls theme and modifying it into a supremely well crafted stealth and sword combat game. Some people just can't master the combat system of partying and deflecting (which works about a million times better than in other Souls games). However, if it doesn't filter you you'll probably love it. It's a good adventure, maybe not quite having as many memorable moments as BB or ER, but it is still an essential play. If you can master it, you can blow through a second and third playtrough in a fast and triumphant fashion, which is extremely satisfying.
Don Roque said:
Steven_RW said:
^^^ Dark Souls or if you own a PS5 Demon's Souls.
Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
If you have a PS5 you're all set to go. If you have an Xbox you'll miss the best (Bloodborne) and the worst (Demon's Souls). But you'll still have a huge amount of high quality stuff to get through. Dark Souls has interating lore/secret covenants etc. Well worth it. Especially if you play it as blind as possible and just work from your mistakes. Initial wow factor may not be there tor Dark Souls but as it unfolds you realise you much of a leader in the industry it was.
Bloodborne if you have ps4 or ps5. Then head back to Elden Ring.
I'd recommend tackling the series in the order that they were released:
Dark Souls
Dark Souls 2
Bloodborne
Dark Souls 3
Sekiro
Elden Ring
Demon's Souls (if you can be bothered).
Do the DLC for everything as you play it. In the case of Dark Souls and DS3 it is extremely good and sometimes better than the vase game. The Dark Souls 2 DLC is fantastic but significantly more difficult than the main game. Bloodborne's 'Old Hunters' DLC is still an industry standard for high quality DLC, it's f
king great.I recommend playing the games in that order so that you can appreciate how the craft has grown. If you play Dark Souls for the first time having played Elden Ring it will feel difficult and clunky, because the combat was less refined and the gameplay loop hadn't been perfected. Each of these games arguably made things more bearable for the player in some ways whilst maintaining a good level of challenge in others.
This is the reason why I put Demon's Souls Remake on as an optional extra. You can play it for free on PS+ and it does look absolutely incredible. However, it feels clunky and basic compared to even Dark Souls, like everything in it was a prototype for the better stuff that would come later. It's nice to revisit once you know the series really well to see where some recurring items, themes and characters started off but I wouldn't recommend it as the first game you play. It is very short but there is a midgame difficulty spike around the Maneater and Old Hero boss which is extremely irritating. There is a lot of clunky design left in that game, preserved to this day despite the graphical overhaul. The Dark Souls games just do pretty much everything Demon's Souls did, but better. The crown jewel of Dark Souls, DS2, even gives you a relatively degree of freedom like the Nexus in Demon's Souls did.
Bloodborne, despite still being locked to 30fps, is absolutely incredible. Not just a highpoint for the series but for gaming as a whole. It significantly modified the formula of the series enough that it feels entirely unique (I still use 100% Phys Shields in every other game despite preferring the dodge and rally combat of BB, so the refinement there worked in forcing me to play differently).
Sekiro is also incredible. It's not quite Elden Ring or Bloodborne good but it does well in taking the Souls theme and modifying it into a supremely well crafted stealth and sword combat game. Some people just can't master the combat system of partying and deflecting (which works about a million times better than in other Souls games). However, if it doesn't filter you you'll probably love it. It's a good adventure, maybe not quite having as many memorable moments as BB or ER, but it is still an essential play. If you can master it, you can blow through a second and third playtrough in a fast and triumphant fashion, which is extremely satisfying.
Start a new game without NG+ and got an app to log everything. Slow going, and I might get bored but we will see.
No, you'll probably miss a significant amount of content but you can always get that on a second run. And of course, in no Souls game can you ever reach a fail state. You can always stop and power level if you need to. In Elden Ring, there is always another direction to go in or a new trick to try.
If you get to the final boss run (which is an insane ramp in the difficulty) and you're struggling look up where to find the Mimic Tear summon. Interestingly, there was a cut quest involving a silver tear NPC that was probably meant to end in you getting the Mimic Tear summon. The quest was shelved but the summon remains.
If you get to the final boss run (which is an insane ramp in the difficulty) and you're struggling look up where to find the Mimic Tear summon. Interestingly, there was a cut quest involving a silver tear NPC that was probably meant to end in you getting the Mimic Tear summon. The quest was shelved but the summon remains.
Big v1.08 update
The Colosseum awaits.
In this new update, a brand-new multiplayer feature in the form of the Colosseum arenas have been added, as well as new hairstyles for you to enjoy. Additionally, new balance adjustments have been made to improve the stability of gameplay.
Major new features
The Colosseums of Limgrave, Caelid and Leyndell are now open. In these arenas, players can engage in a variety of combat trials: one-on-one duels, free-for-alls & team battles up to six players, and special fights with spirit summoning enabled.
Other updates and patches
New hairstyles for character creation have been added. These are also available during character edition by using the Round Table Hold Clouded Mirror Stand.
PvP-exclusive balance adjustments
The adjustments in this section do not affect single-player or cooperative play.
Reduced thrusting weapons counterattack damage.
Reduced guard efficiency when attacking with your shield up for some weapon types.
The poise damage of the following weapons have been reduced (Weapon Arts poise damage remains unchanged):
Straight Swords / Thrusting Swords / Heavy Thrusting Swords / Curved Swords / Axes / Spears / Twinblade Swords / Katanas
Reduced the poise damage of the Incantation Bestial Sling.
Reduced the power of the Spell Carian Slicer.
General balance adjustments
Increased the speed and distance of some attacks and reduced the recovery time for the following weapons:
Daggers / Axes / Hammers / Flails (dual wielded)
Increased the speed of some attacks and reduced the recovery time for the following weapons:
Twinblade (two-handed) / Reaper / Fist / Claw
Slightly increased the speed of crouching and rolling attacks of Colossal Swords.
Increased the stagger damage of Axes’ guard counters.
Increased poise when attacking with two-handed Hammers.
Increased poise damage of Claws. Weapon Arts remain unchanged.
Increased poise value during the active part of the Stamp (Upward Cut / Sweep) Weapon Art.
Increased poise damage of the weapon slash part of the Transient Moonlight Weapon Art, and reduced the poise damage of the magic wave.
Reduced the speed Thrusting Swords and Heavy Thrusting Swords crouching attacks.
Reduced the stagger caused by double-handed Heavy Thrusting Swords jumping attacks.
Reduced poise damage of Hammers, Great Hammers, and some Colossal Weapons. Weapon Arts remain unchanged.
Reduced the poise damage of the Cragblade Weapon Art.
Reduced hitbox duration of the flame portion of the Flaming Strike Weapon Art.
Reduced poise damage of the Flame of the Redmanes Weapon Art.
Reduced the time it takes to activate the guard part of the Shield Bash Weapon Art.
Reduced the poise damage of the Gravity Bolt Weapon Art.
Bug Fixes
Fixed a bug that sometimes prevented consumable items from being replenished when teleporting to a grace from the map.
Fixed a bug where stamina would replenish when switching to a crouching position while running.
Fixed a bug where Spell, Incantation, and item input actions were ignored while guarding against attacks.
Fixed incorrect physical attack values of some attacks of the Serpent-Hunter weapon.
Fixed a bug that prevented the follow-up attack from occurring when the Black Sword Incantation was activated with a Sacred Seal in the left hand.
Fixed a bug where the attack power of the right hand weapon was sometimes applied when casting the Inescapable Frenzy Incantation with a two-handed Sacred Seal in the left hand.
Fixed a bug that could cause multiple damage instances when certain Spells and Incantations were casted while jumping.
Fixed a bug that caused Weapon Arts to be incorrectly used with specific combinations of weapon and Weapon Arts.
The Colosseum awaits.
In this new update, a brand-new multiplayer feature in the form of the Colosseum arenas have been added, as well as new hairstyles for you to enjoy. Additionally, new balance adjustments have been made to improve the stability of gameplay.
Major new features
The Colosseums of Limgrave, Caelid and Leyndell are now open. In these arenas, players can engage in a variety of combat trials: one-on-one duels, free-for-alls & team battles up to six players, and special fights with spirit summoning enabled.
Other updates and patches
New hairstyles for character creation have been added. These are also available during character edition by using the Round Table Hold Clouded Mirror Stand.
PvP-exclusive balance adjustments
The adjustments in this section do not affect single-player or cooperative play.
Reduced thrusting weapons counterattack damage.
Reduced guard efficiency when attacking with your shield up for some weapon types.
The poise damage of the following weapons have been reduced (Weapon Arts poise damage remains unchanged):
Straight Swords / Thrusting Swords / Heavy Thrusting Swords / Curved Swords / Axes / Spears / Twinblade Swords / Katanas
Reduced the poise damage of the Incantation Bestial Sling.
Reduced the power of the Spell Carian Slicer.
General balance adjustments
Increased the speed and distance of some attacks and reduced the recovery time for the following weapons:
Daggers / Axes / Hammers / Flails (dual wielded)
Increased the speed of some attacks and reduced the recovery time for the following weapons:
Twinblade (two-handed) / Reaper / Fist / Claw
Slightly increased the speed of crouching and rolling attacks of Colossal Swords.
Increased the stagger damage of Axes’ guard counters.
Increased poise when attacking with two-handed Hammers.
Increased poise damage of Claws. Weapon Arts remain unchanged.
Increased poise value during the active part of the Stamp (Upward Cut / Sweep) Weapon Art.
Increased poise damage of the weapon slash part of the Transient Moonlight Weapon Art, and reduced the poise damage of the magic wave.
Reduced the speed Thrusting Swords and Heavy Thrusting Swords crouching attacks.
Reduced the stagger caused by double-handed Heavy Thrusting Swords jumping attacks.
Reduced poise damage of Hammers, Great Hammers, and some Colossal Weapons. Weapon Arts remain unchanged.
Reduced the poise damage of the Cragblade Weapon Art.
Reduced hitbox duration of the flame portion of the Flaming Strike Weapon Art.
Reduced poise damage of the Flame of the Redmanes Weapon Art.
Reduced the time it takes to activate the guard part of the Shield Bash Weapon Art.
Reduced the poise damage of the Gravity Bolt Weapon Art.
Bug Fixes
Fixed a bug that sometimes prevented consumable items from being replenished when teleporting to a grace from the map.
Fixed a bug where stamina would replenish when switching to a crouching position while running.
Fixed a bug where Spell, Incantation, and item input actions were ignored while guarding against attacks.
Fixed incorrect physical attack values of some attacks of the Serpent-Hunter weapon.
Fixed a bug that prevented the follow-up attack from occurring when the Black Sword Incantation was activated with a Sacred Seal in the left hand.
Fixed a bug where the attack power of the right hand weapon was sometimes applied when casting the Inescapable Frenzy Incantation with a two-handed Sacred Seal in the left hand.
Fixed a bug that could cause multiple damage instances when certain Spells and Incantations were casted while jumping.
Fixed a bug that caused Weapon Arts to be incorrectly used with specific combinations of weapon and Weapon Arts.
Elden Ring : Shadow of the Erdtree expansion announced.
https://kotaku.com/elden-ring-expansion-dlc-announ...
https://kotaku.com/elden-ring-expansion-dlc-announ...
Interesting to try out while we wait for the above.
Eldenlands mod - https://www.pcgamesn.com/elden-ring/dlc-eldenlands...
Download - https://www.nexusmods.com/eldenring/mods/3075
Eldenlands mod - https://www.pcgamesn.com/elden-ring/dlc-eldenlands...
Download - https://www.nexusmods.com/eldenring/mods/3075
Finished it myself recently, after about 250 hours play time! Tried to explore and do as much as I could without following any online guides, but eventually reneged on that when I fought Rykard and found my build/damage was woefully inadequate.
Difficulty curve was a bit odd though, with a Faith/Strength build I found it hardest in the early-mid game, then got easier after that.
Overall a bloody awesome game with fantastic art direction and world design.
Difficulty curve was a bit odd though, with a Faith/Strength build I found it hardest in the early-mid game, then got easier after that.
Overall a bloody awesome game with fantastic art direction and world design.
FourWheelDrift said:
Even though I became Elden Lord I missed one small area on the playthrough, but I have finally got there this time around and I have just defeated Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree. By stats not many people have got there either.
If you missed that fight then you must have missed the Malenia fight that comes after it. The horseback fight was (imo) compartively easy. Olivera said:
Finished it myself recently, after about 250 hours play time! Tried to explore and do as much as I could without following any online guides, but eventually reneged on that when I fought Rykard and found my build/damage was woefully inadequate.
Difficulty curve was a bit odd though, with a Faith/Strength build I found it hardest in the early-mid game, then got easier after that.
Overall a bloody awesome game with fantastic art direction and world design.
For Rykard you could have upgraded the special sword you use. Most folk just bash on and try and do it with the sword on base upgrade but if you want to make that fight easier you can +10 the sword so it's special attack is more powerful.Difficulty curve was a bit odd though, with a Faith/Strength build I found it hardest in the early-mid game, then got easier after that.
Overall a bloody awesome game with fantastic art direction and world design.
I'm 45 hours into my first playthrough, I started as as some sort of Mage and restarted as a Vagabond once I'd worked out that I had no idea what the fk I was doing 
I followed a walkthough guide to give me some tips on what is what because I couldn't understand what to do at first but since then I've enjoyed just exploring on my own. It really is a massivly rewarding and a very impressive game, I'm not sure my girlfreind agrees. Looking forward to the expansion for more of the same.
k I was doing I followed a walkthough guide to give me some tips on what is what because I couldn't understand what to do at first but since then I've enjoyed just exploring on my own. It really is a massivly rewarding and a very impressive game, I'm not sure my girlfreind agrees. Looking forward to the expansion for more of the same.
Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff