Many gamers were thrilled after seeing the Elden Ring gameplay trailer. However, this FromSoftware title is not that different from their Dark Souls series.
One of the most anticipated recent FromSoftware titles (in part due to the collaboration from the Game Of Thrones author George R.R. Martin) is Elden Ring. Gamers have been eagerly awaiting its hyped-up release. Unfortunately, though this is a brand new IP with new enemies, new characters, and a new location, this trailer feels eerily similar to Dark Souls.
Granted, both series are made and developed by FromSoftware, so there will always be similarities. Nevertheless, when watching the gameplay trailer for Elden Ring, it is hard not to see the comparisons to Dark Souls.
10 The Narrator Is Potentially Going To Be This Game's Fire Keeper
Based on the trailer, the narrator appears to be a young woman in the black cloak. She has this eerieness to her, and she appears like she will be guiding the player throughout their journey. Her design and demeanor make it seem like she may act like a Fire Keeper.
The FireKeepers were these NPC's that resided near bonfires. With the right materials, players could go to them to increase their Estus Flask quantity. Hard to say if the narrator for Elden Ring will function like that, but she is pretty similar to her Dark Souls counterpart.
9 "They Will Fight And They Will Die"- Looks Like Death Is Par For The Course
It is no surprise there is going to be much death in Elden Ring. FromSoftware prides itself on developing difficult games. The trailer for Elden Ring does not shy away from this by quoting, "They Will Fight And They Will Die."
This emphasis on death is very reminiscent of the advertising that circled the release of the Dark Souls games. Of course, the game will be difficult, but having the trailer point this out makes it hard not to think of Dark Souls.
8 The Variety of Magic And Weapons- Having The Multiple Play Styles Is A Lot Like Dark Souls
The Elden Ring trailer shows off several magical abilities the player can acquire throughout the game. One ability, in particular, looks to extend a radiant light from a weapon to attack enemies. There seems to be weapon variety as the player uses swords, bows, whips, etc.
These options in weapons hint at having multiple play styles similar to that in Dark Souls, where players could play as heavy-wielding knights or fire mages.
7 The Plot Of Hunting For The Fragments Of The Elden Rings Sounds Just Like The Plot In Dark Souls
In a trailer breakdown, Hidetaka Miyazaki describes the plot, which involves the player must hunt down fragments of the Elden Ring that the game's major bosses are holding.
This plot is nothing new in video games, but it is certainly nothing new in Dark Souls plots. Hunting for these fragments is very similar to hunting the four great souls in Dark Souls II. Alternatively, in Dark Souls, the player must capture the Lord's souls. It seems like Elden Ring will not be all that different.
6 The Story Unfolds In Indirect Ways Much Like Dark Souls Narratives In Previous Games
Hidetaka Miyazaki talked about how he wanted to ensure that Elden Ring's story was discovered through the Player's exploration rather than focusing on a linear path that forces the player through a story.
The story and the lore would likely have to be discovered through flavor text, articles within the game, or observation of the world around them. This story element is tied directly to the Dark Souls style of storytelling and frankly, trying to separate Elden Ring's storytelling from Dark Souls is futile.
5 A Massive Open World With An Emphasis On Exploration With Distinct Areas That Resemble Dark Souls Areas
The world of Elden Ring is perhaps the largest in any FromSoftware. A massive open area is littered with enemies and bosses for players to explore and discover. However, if Elden Ring is taking a page from Dark Souls, then it may not provide a comprehensive map for the player to follow.
That lack of a map would be a strong link into Elden Ring just being Dark Souls 4. Not having that guide of a map forces the player to explore the world around them freely and makes the game much more akin to Dark Souls.
4 The Dark And Broken World Of Elden Ring Is A Gritty Fantasy Setting Like Dark Souls
Elden Ring takes place in a world called, The Lands Between. It resembles a broken land corrupted by the lords consumed by the power of the Elden Rings. While magical forces hold the world together, the lands seem to be filled with despair and chaos.
This world is very reminiscent of the world of Dark Souls. In a perpetual, endless cycle where the world falls into ruin over and over again. It sounds like The Lands Between is just another Dark Souls dark fantasy world.
3 It Would Not Be A Souls-Like Game If It Did Not Have Great Bosses
Elden Ring showed some of its bosses in the trailer. One particular boss had multiple arms, a golden great ax, and a faint arm malformed into a giant crow's head that breathes fire. Safe to say, Elden Ring will have some memorable bosses.
Now FromSoftware is no stranger to unique bosses. However, the style of each of the bosses in Elden Ring resembles many dark fantasy bosses seen in the Dark Souls game series. For example, one boss in the trailer had fire spouting from its head, and its design looked a lot like Smough from Dark Souls.
2 Elden Ring Demonstrates The Ability To Summon Multiple Spirits To Fight Alongside The Player Just Like Dark Souls
One aspect pulled straight from the Dark Souls series is the ability to summon spirits to fight alongside you. However, Elden Ring shows that these spirits have a blue aura instead of a Golden aura.
FromSoftware can use whatever mechanics they like in any video game they want to make. Having spirits fight for you is a helpful tool for players to help them progress through tough spots in the game. Nevertheless, one cannot look at those spirits and not think of Dark Souls.
1 The Players Now Play As The Tarnished- Which Is Very Similar To The Chosen Undead
The trailer very quickly points out that the player will be playing as the Tarnished. The Tarnished are described as those once blessed by the grace of the Elden Rings, then at some point in their lives lose that grace and are banished in the Realms between.
Of course, the Tarnished do not follow the same through-line as many other player characters in the Dark Souls universe. However, the archetype is essentially identical to the Chosen Undead. Both archetypes are characters who have lost something and are soon prophesized to reclaim what they once lost Their Soul for the Undead and the Elden Ring's grace for the Tarnished.