Elden Ring PS5

It's just too good in the end, play!

A world without end. I don't often leave reviews, but this game is worth it. Yes, it's not easy; the controls aren't intuitive, and the game itself is even less so. You have to take your time, understand the mechanics, and persevere. I won't lie, I had to consult online wikis more than once to understand certain aspects. The most important thing is to explore and be curious; it will always be rewarded. As for the difficulty, it only makes the game even more satisfying. What can I say about the art direction? It's magnificent; you'll be immersed in the atmosphere immediately. The soundtrack is also a real treat. A word of advice if you decide to take the plunge: persevere. The first few hours can be tough, and the following ones are no less so, but you get used to it and enjoy it. In short, this game is magnificent on every level, and if you give it a chance, it will transport you.

Well, it's all in the title: Elden Ring is excellent and incredibly time-consuming. It's hard to stop discovering and searching for everything you can, all while (barely) trying to stay calm. The game is beautiful (well, if you like this very baroque and dark style), addictive, and you have to persevere to defeat all the bosses. There's a feeling of accomplishment when, after many hours of gameplay, you finally manage to take down the toughest ones (Malenia, I love you!), and a feeling of emptiness when you finally finish the game, as it has been so stressful, exhausting, captivating, and enjoyable. A game that may not be without its flaws, but one that requires perseverance and never giving up (even when things get disheartening). The game is accessible to all players (as long as you don't give up), even if it's not necessarily for everyone. The game undoubtedly deserves GOTY, not for certain technical aspects, but for what it leaves behind. Having played the Dark Souls series, Demon's Souls, Sekiro, and Bloodborne will be an advantage for those discovering Elden Ring, as it features the same kind of mechanics and even (sometimes) the same kind of bosses. In the end, those familiar with the older games will feel right at home, with numerous nods to the original. After Elden Ring, however, and especially Malenia, all other games and bosses will seem much easier! Or at least, much more accessible.

It's been over a year since Elden Ring was released. I received it on day one, and after platinuming it and completing several New Game+ playthroughs, it's time to put into words what the Elden Ring experience is all about. ✅ The art direction is absolutely stunning. Every location is memorable and unique, and the atmosphere it evokes is captivating. ✅ The open world is incredibly deep. Just when you think you've discovered everything, there are still secrets and even more to uncover! I emphasize this because there's so much to discover. ✅ There are no indicators or points of interest on the map (ahem, Ubisoft), leaving you the pleasure and satisfaction of expanding your discoveries on your own. ✅ The gameplay remains true to From Software's style, but this time it benefits from an important new mechanic: Torrent, your mount. Allowing you to fight on horseback and reach more areas and higher ground thanks to various jumps. ✅ Effort has been made on the storytelling, allowing you to understand at least the basics of the story without delving deeper. ✅ Memorable quests and characters; it's interesting to follow certain characters to understand their stories and thus better grasp the world of Elden Ring. ✅ The difficulty is more accessible for those who want to embark on the adventure: tutorials and tips, the option to bypass or explore before continuing in case of extreme difficulty, numerous grace points, and less frustration. ✅ Excellent lifespan (which is by no means superficial), with plenty to do and many challenges to take on. ✅ Regular updates, bug fixes, and serious balancing. ✅ Technically solid on PS5, whether in performance or quality mode. Beware of the recently added Ray Tracing mode, which I don't recommend: it reduces framerate and resolution for a result that isn't visually impactful. ❌ The lack of a photo mode is a shame, given the game's beauty. ❌ Keeping track of character quests remains tedious, which can be frustrating. While the very essence of a From Software game is discovery and understanding through observation, some quest steps are incomprehensible without a guide, leaving the player with almost no chance to figure things out on their own. ➡️ CONCLUSION: Elden Ring is definitely a video game classic; it wasn't Game of the Year for nothing. It left a lasting impression on me as a gamer, and it's sometimes difficult to play other games because they can seem so bland; it impacted the entire industry. If you've never played a From Software game, I think it's time to give them a chance, starting with Elden Ring, as it's more accessible. If needed, don't hesitate to ask the very active Reddit community for information, or check out YouTube (ExServ does a great job), or even get the official guide (Volume 2 will be released in April 2023, but seems to be optional compared to Volume 1).