Paradigm via FromSoftware

Elden Ring is but a month abroad now, and FromSoftware fans are eagerly awaiting the adjacent chance from the team that brought us Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Dice Twice. Those who've played those games won't be surprised to hear well-nigh some returning features — and one that continues to be absent.

Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki was interviewed on the PlayStation Blog, and the topic of an "like shooting fish in a barrel way" came up. This has been hotly contested, as many gamers would like to play FromSoftware titles without the punishing difficulty, while some hardcore fans don't want anyone to accept that option. "It'south a valid discussion," says Miyazaki. "We don't want players to feel like the game is unfairly punishing, but rather that there's a risk to win a difficult encounter and make progress. We accept not intentionally tried to lower the game's difficulty, but I remember more than players will finish it this time."

Miyazaki besides brings up Elden Ring's focus on exploration, letting players circumvolve back to boss fights that roadblocked them earlier. Combine this with stealth elements and more than seamless multiplayer, and you tin come across why Miyazaki believes "the overall clear rate will go upward this time." That being said, no, in that location is no easy mode option in Elden Ring.

There volition be multiple endings and a New Game Plus option, though — those have been staples of FromSoftware'southward flagship games since Demon'south Souls. The master story will take around 30 hours to complete, so be prepared to put in some fourth dimension if you lot desire to come across each conclusion. Y'all tin get started pretty soon: Elden Ring'southward release date is February 25 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Serial X/Due south, Xbox Ane, and PC.