Regarding my low playtime: After trying to make this game playable on my PC, I switched to the console version and play it currently there. I still don't get it why the game runs like Cyberpunk 2077 in 4k with RTX on, while looking like "Dark Souls 3"... but ok ...
I heard that it got better, but for now I won't start a new game on PC and just try to finish it on console first!

Kudos to my best pal who let me borrow her Playstation. On console I invested +80 hours so far, but I am far from being finished.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2817752846
(Because I couldn't make screenshots so far I just took one from my friend Baadrix)

The Open World
I read a lot about the boring Overworld filled with nothingness, but I believe it has a lot to offer. The areas are filled with landmarks, secrets and astonishing views. Everywhere you go you can find either a cave, ruins, a graveyard, small random bosses, merchants and other NPCs. It might repeat the further you go, but it still keeps up with the overall good atmosphere.


Combat:
You lock in enemies and try not to die, while using swords (or other kinds of weapons) and magic. And don't forget to panic spam the parry button. If everything doesn't work, try to backstab!


Soundtrack:
It is so beautiful and I am so impressed that I even bought the Soundtrack extra!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg-ihOyyJKk

Design & Graphics:
Impressive! First let me repeat what I said before. The game doesn't look good at all and the graphics isn't even worth talking about. I can't believe that these people also made Sekiro, which looked mind blowing compared to its predecessors. As mentioned the areas look stunning, unique and the overworld doesn't need to hide itself from other great titles, but it feels a bit too dated at some point. What I really love is the enemy design. If FromSoft can do something right, it is the grotesque and fascinating way they design their monsters. Each boss is visually a highlight!


How hard is it?:
I had more problems getting used to Sekiro and even my first Dark Souls 1 playthrough was harder. It might be because this isn't my first souls-like, but this game feels .... fair. Even the weakest enemies still can kill you easily, but the more you explore the more powerful you get. It can even happen that you finish a boss fight first try, because you came in totally overleveled/overgeared. It is rare and there is still a challenge in each fight, but this happend to me a few times and I still have no idea if it was funny or sad. What I still hate are enemies which do an attack animation, stop for a small second (a second where you either roll or block or try to parry) just to hit you without any warning when you didn't expect it at all - Aka "fakeout" combo attacks. You get used to it, but it is a really stupid mechanic they added. By far less fun as any earlier boss designs they had.


Controls:
The bit I played with my standard Playstation controller on PC, I had no issues at all ingame. Just feels like all other good old Souls games.


Story:
Story? I mean if you expect a fully fletched and straight forward storytelling you are totally wrong here. This isn't bad at all tho. I was annoyed of how barebones the story was told in Dark Souls 1, but after digging into the lore I was suprised how complex it could get. Each item tells a story and each boss, area, enemy and NPC has a story to tell. Some are more easily to understand and others are far more complex. You will never get told at all how things work and all you get is a meager introduction. The rest is up to you (and up to all the great lore videos on YouTube).


My conclusion is that "Elden Ring" is by far not a perfect game. It has its flaws and some new design choices are not that great. This all might sound negative at all and I really hate it how the game runs on PC, despite looking fairly aged. But besides all these things I still love this game. It feels like all the old Souls games and this is by far not bad at all. Some new mechanics are even very welcome! Did I mention that you can ride a horse? I am still hoping that the performance issues will be solved sooner or later (At least there will be 100% a mod for it.... like usually).

If you never played a Dark Souls game before, this might be the perfect introduction into the series/genre! And if you have played Dark Souls before you will surely feel the excitemnt all over again. Don't get lost on your new adventure and stay safe!

[h1]A true masterpiece with flaws![/h1] [i]Regarding my low playtime: After trying to make this game playable on my PC, I switched to the console version and play it currently there. I still don't get it why the game runs like Cyberpunk 2077 in 4k with RTX on, while looking like "Dark Souls 3"... but ok ... I heard that it got better, but for now I won't start a new game on PC and just try to finish it on console first![/i] Kudos to my best pal who let me borrow her Playstation. On console I invested +80 hours so far, but I am far from being finished. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2817752846 [u](Because I couldn't make screenshots so far I just took one from my friend Baadrix)[/u] [b]The Open World [/b] I read a lot about the boring Overworld filled with nothingness, but I believe it has a lot to offer. The areas are filled with landmarks, secrets and astonishing views. Everywhere you go you can find either a cave, ruins, a graveyard, small random bosses, merchants and other NPCs. It might repeat the further you go, but it still keeps up with the overall good atmosphere. [b]Combat:[/b] You lock in enemies and try not to die, while using swords (or other kinds of weapons) and magic. And don't forget to panic spam the parry button. If everything doesn't work, try to backstab! [b]Soundtrack: [/b] It is so beautiful and I am so impressed that I even bought the Soundtrack extra! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg-ihOyyJKk [b]Design & Graphics: [/b] Impressive! First let me repeat what I said before. The game doesn't look good at all and the graphics isn't even worth talking about. I can't believe that these people also made Sekiro, which looked mind blowing compared to its predecessors. As mentioned the areas look stunning, unique and the overworld doesn't need to hide itself from other great titles, but it feels a bit too dated at some point. What I really love is the enemy design. If FromSoft can do something right, it is the grotesque and fascinating way they design their monsters. Each boss is visually a highlight! [b]How hard is it?:[/b] I had more problems getting used to Sekiro and even my first Dark Souls 1 playthrough was harder. It might be because this isn't my first souls-like, but this game feels .... fair. Even the weakest enemies still can kill you easily, but the more you explore the more powerful you get. It can even happen that you finish a boss fight first try, because you came in totally overleveled/overgeared. It is rare and there is still a challenge in each fight, but this happend to me a few times and I still have no idea if it was funny or sad. What I still hate are enemies which do an attack animation, stop for a small second (a second where you either roll or block or try to parry) just to hit you without any warning when you didn't expect it at all - Aka "fakeout" combo attacks. You get used to it, but it is a really stupid mechanic they added. By far less fun as any earlier boss designs they had. [b]Controls: [/b] The bit I played with my standard Playstation controller on PC, I had no issues at all ingame. Just feels like all other good old Souls games. [b]Story:[/b] Story? I mean if you expect a fully fletched and straight forward storytelling you are totally wrong here. This isn't bad at all tho. I was annoyed of how barebones the story was told in Dark Souls 1, but after digging into the lore I was suprised how complex it could get. Each item tells a story and each boss, area, enemy and NPC has a story to tell. Some are more easily to understand and others are far more complex. You will never get told at all how things work and all you get is a meager introduction. The rest is up to you (and up to all the great lore videos on YouTube). [i]My conclusion is that "Elden Ring" is by far not a perfect game. It has its flaws and some new design choices are not that great. This all might sound negative at all and I really hate it how the game runs on PC, despite looking fairly aged. But besides all these things I still love this game. It feels like all the old Souls games and this is by far not bad at all. Some new mechanics are even very welcome! Did I mention that you can ride a horse? I am still hoping that the performance issues will be solved sooner or later (At least there will be 100% a mod for it.... like usually). [/i] If you never played a Dark Souls game before, this might be the perfect introduction into the series/genre! And if you have played Dark Souls before you will surely feel the excitemnt all over again. Don't get lost on your new adventure and stay safe!