5/5 ★ – Hylianisom's review of Elden Ring.

Elden Ring feels like the Ocarina of Time sequel I’ve always wanted. Truly, a game hasn’t felt like this to me since the N64 Zelda era. It feels more like a spiritual successor than their own series’ current installments. This is not From Software’s first time executing an immersive and disturbing horror-fantasy world, but it finally has that somberness. I felt the world was properly embedded in its story. The Lands Between don’t just feel dark, they feel devastated. Where most Soulsborne games project malice, I feel deeply melancholic sorrow in Elden Ring. I’ll never forget first looking over Lyndell Capital of Ash with the giant gransax spear pinning the petrified dragon to the castle while the enemies horns accompanied the score. The scarlet rotted red fields of Caelid completely decimated from the war between Malenia and Radahn with abominable creatures and mindless husk soldiers wailing in agony from the rot echo with the unsettling yet nearly vacant score. The off putting strings and distant horns somehow sound like flies buzzing over a plagued horses carcass fallen in battle. Even the first few notes welcoming you into arguably the softest area, Limgrave, feel weighted. The zones and the people are tragically disfigured and instead of feeling repulsed, it makes my jaw drop with glossy eyes, wondering “…what happened?” The ever present Erdtree looks like the one glimmer of hope, but as the adventure continues, you start to wonder if it is the problem. Perhaps it’s the parasite that is plaguing the land. George RR Martin’s touch is all over these characters, and I say this with clenched teeth and tear-streaked-cheeks as I think about my bois Blaidd and Alexander Ironfist. An undeniably powerful collaboration working with him on the story. Gameplay - I don’t think there’s a current action game out that I enjoyed playing more, although that doesn’t mean there can’t be improvement. Aside from the item power up system feeling initially daunting which causes you to be stingy with your resources, there truly is so much variety and exploration in your choice of combat in this game once you’ve gotten comfortable with it. I had so much fun going back to the Gatefront Ruins to try out new spells and weapons. There’s such a large variety of tools to overcome a battle which offers wildly personalized play styles. To add a little chef’s kiss to the subject, the multiplayer is really great! I had tons of fun helping my friends slay bosses and showing them where useful items were. And laugh all you want, but my first playthrough against Millenia was the toughest boss fight I have ever encountered. For weeks. WEEKS! I would go home after work and do 2-3 hours of attempts against her. I lost count. No I did not use the mimic tear; I didn’t know about it yet. Finally defeating her was one of the single most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had. This is Elden Ring, Blade of From Software, and it has never known defeat.