I'm not a typical Souls-like fan, and I bounced off this game at first- but persevere. There is such a rewarding experience waiting for you if you power through the pain barrier and get to grips with Elden Ring's idiosyncratic game design, narrative and combat. Initially I sighed and prepared myself for a frustrating experience I would not enjoy... and now I've got over 300 hours in it and this thing is consuming my mind. If anyone ever tells you games are not art, show them this, then go back to making your way through hauntingly beautiful landscapes against mournful but fearsome enemies.

I'm not a typical Souls-like fan, and I bounced off this game at first- but persevere. There is such a rewarding experience waiting for you if you power through the pain barrier and get to grips with Elden Ring's idiosyncratic game design, narrative and combat. Initially I sighed and prepared myself for a frustrating experience I would not enjoy... and now I've got over 300 hours in it and this thing is consuming my mind. If anyone ever tells you games are not art, show them this, then go back to making your way through hauntingly beautiful landscapes against mournful but fearsome enemies.