Fans ofSoulsbornegames have been patiently waiting for an update onElden Ring,FromSoftware’supcoming action RPG in collaboration withGeorge R.R. Martin, best known as the author of theA Song of Ice and Firefantasy book series. Originally rumored for a June 2020 release,Elden Ringhas been unexpectedly delayed due to development difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic andpossibly for other Martin-related reasons.
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Whilenew information onElden Ringhas been hard to come by, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating what type of featuresElden Ringcould have and what similarities it may have topreviousSoulsbornegames. Based on the massive success of theDark Soulsseries,Elden Ringmay want to borrow a few design elements from theSoulsgames.
11Item-Based Lore
Bringing Martin on boardto help with world-building almost certainly indicates thatElden Ringwill have a much less mysterious story than whatSoulsfans are used to, but that doesn’t mean FromSoftware needs to sacrifice the vast amount of lore introduced by items and their descriptions. Much of the lore inSoulsgames comes from items, providing an unparalleled level of depth in world-building that is oftentimes left up to interpretation by the most hardcoreSoulsfans.
10Customizable Equipment
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the latestSouls-like action game by FromSoftware released in March 2019, largely abandoned the RPG elements of theSoulsseries and instead focused on the pure action elements of the genre. ForElden Ring, FromSoftware should embrace the RPG elements of theSoulsgame and give players the options to upgrade weapons, armor, and other equipment as another source of progression.Elden Ringshould also have the option to add special damage types to weapons, including elemental affinities like ice and fire.
9Tough Boss Fights
This should go without saying, but one of the defining elements ofSouls-like games is their tough-but-fair boss fights that force the players to learn and adapt. With each subsequent attempt (and if the bosses are hard enough, there should be quite a few), players should feel like they learned something and are getting closer to mastering the fight.
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While not every boss in the game should be theFume Knight or Ornstein and Smough,Elden Ringshould have memorable, difficult boss fights like theSoulsgames that don’t feel cheap and that give players a rewarding feeling after finally conquering them.
8Multiplayer System
Another defining element of FromSoftware’sSoulsseries is the multiplayer system, which allows players to randomly enter each other’s worlds to wreak havoc in PvP invasions, or to call on a stranger (or friend using the password match system) to help by leaving a summoning sign near a bonfire or boss room. Multiplayer is arguably the key element that distinguishes theSoulsgames from other action RPGs and provides endless entertainment to the most devoted players even after their tenth playthrough.Elden Ringshould adopt a similar multiplayer system that adds elements of depth and parity to an otherwise single player-focused game.
7Interconnected Zones
Lauded by fans and critics for theirinterconnected level designin the originalDark Souls, FromSoftware should bring this element toElden Ring. Being able to see soon-to-be or previously visited areas off in the distance really immersed players in the game’s world. The world ofDark Souls 2was less well-received than the original due to some puzzling design choices (the Earthen Peak-to-Iron Keep transition was admittedly rough). Thankfully, the developers at FromSoftware found their footing again with the DLCs andDark Souls 3, so fans should expect a sprawling open world inElden Ring.
6Hidden Areas
Some of players' most fond memories in theSoulsgamesare randomly stumbling upon the desolate but beautiful Ash Lake, solving the riddle to enter the Painted World of Ariamis, and meditating their way to Archdragon Peak. Among many others, these optional areas are some of thebest levels theSoulsserieshas to offer, and their hidden nature makes them that much more exciting to find and explore.Elden Ringis rumored to have thelargest open-worldby a FromSoftware game, so players should expect plenty of optional and hidden levels to discover and sink their teeth into.
5Large, Story-Based DLC
Fans were hoping for aSekiroDLC to hold them over beforeElden Ring’s release, but sadlyFromSoftware recently squashed those dreams. TheArtorias of the Abyss,Crown of the Old Iron King, andThe Ringed CityDLCs (not to mention thebrilliantBloodborneDLC,The Old Hunters) stand as some of the best DLCs in single-player gaming. As thede factosuccessor to theSoulsseries,Elden Ringdeserves similar treatment with its own standalone DLC with all-new zones, boss fights, and equipment.
4Death Penalties
Death is canonical inSoulsgames through hollowing, which makes the player weaker including reducing maximum health inDark Souls 2. In addition, death means losing all souls and having to retrieve them again at the site of death, thus raising the stakes and the player’s blood pressure as they travel further away from the safety of Bonfires.
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While death may or may not be canon inElden Ringdepending on the world’s premise, there should be some penalty for dying to keep players' adrenaline pumping during every encounter, big and small.
3Unique Builds
Another aspect of theSoulsgames thatSekiromoved away from was the RPG elements in character building.Dark Soulshad tons of different PvE and PvP-centric builds for players to try, including glass cannon, tank, and sorcery builds that were both spell and weapon focused. As an action RPG (emphasis on the latter),Elden Ringshould enable players to play the game the way they want with different builds based on stat distribution and equipment. This would also encourage additional playthroughs (more on that in a bit).
2Covenants
Covenants in theSoulsgames gave players another way to lean into their playstyle by aligning with Covenants that offered different perks and equipment. Players looking for an extra challenge could join theCompany of Champions inDark Souls 2, while more multiplayer-oriented players might join the Heirs of the Sun for online coop or Blue Sentinels to invade other players. Having a guild-like system such as Covenants makes the game feel fresh by allowing players to experiment with different playstyles, and allows fans to find other players with similar multiplayer interests.
