U4GM - How Elden Ring Adapts the Open-World Format to Fit its Souls-like Roots
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, is a game that has set new standards for the open-world genre while staying true to the core design philosophies that define Souls-like games. At first glance, its open-world setting seems a departure from the more linear and segmented designs seen in previous FromSoftware titles. However, upon deeper exploration, Elden Ring Runes manages to marry the expansive open world with the signature challenging gameplay, intricate lore, and rewarding progression systems that have made the Souls series a hallmark of modern gaming.
One of the key elements of Elden Ring's adaptation of the open-world format is its use of exploration and player agency. In traditional Souls-like games, the player's journey is often one of discovery, where each area is carefully crafted with a sense of purpose and challenge. Elden Ring takes this same approach but opens up the world in a way that feels organic and immersive. From the moment players step into the Lands Between, the world feels vast and uncharted, yet every corner holds something of value—whether it's an enemy encounter, a hidden dungeon, or a set of Elden Ring runes waiting to be collected. Runes, the main currency of the game, offer more than just progression—they are a reward for exploration, pushing players to venture into the unknown and engage with the world in a way that feels rewarding both for skill and curiosity.
Midway through the game, players encounter the Elden Ring Great Runes, powerful artifacts that play a critical role in the overarching narrative and gameplay. These Great Runes are tied to key story beats and require players to defeat major bosses in order to acquire them. Unlike other collectible items, the Great Runes offer tangible benefits, granting players unique abilities or augmenting their character's power. This mechanic ties directly into the game's open-world design, as players must venture across vast, interconnected regions to find the Great Runes, each area presenting its own unique challenges. The acquisition of each Great Rune feels like a significant milestone in the player's journey, rewarding perseverance and mastery over the game's complex systems.
Beyond the Great Runes, Elden Ring's open world is filled with a variety of challenges and encounters that keep players on their toes. The game's world is not just a backdrop for combat; it is an active participant in the storytelling and gameplay, where every ruin, cave, and landscape holds meaning. This interconnectedness between environment and gameplay helps maintain the focus on challenge and exploration, core tenets of Souls-like experiences. The freedom to tackle these challenges in any order, while still adhering to the brutal difficulty that defines the series, ensures that Elden Ring remains faithful to its roots while expanding on the conventions of open-world games.
Ultimately, Elden Ring is a masterful fusion of the open-world format and Souls-like elements. It offers the vastness and freedom expected from open-world games, but it never loses sight of the tension, complexity, and rewarding progression that make Souls games so memorable. The integration of Elden Ring runes and Great Runes into both the exploration and combat systems reinforces this blend, ensuring that the game appeals to both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Elden Ring stands as a shining example of how an open-world game can stay true to its origins while embracing new possibilities.