I think this year makes almost 8 years since the last time I reviewed a game on Vizzed. I've played many excellent games since my last review in 2017, but I either didn't feel compelled to write up a review or I wasn't active on Vizzed beyond occasionally lurking from time to time. I'm definitely going to be rusty, but I will do my best to review Elden Ring and sing its praises, because it's truly one of the best games I've played in the last several years.

GRAPHICS: 9

Elden Ring is a visually stunning game. Every environment in the Lands Between is meticulously crafted to draw players into its sprawling open world. From the golden glow of the Erdtree towering above the horizon to the desolate landscapes of places like Caelid (easily my least favorite region in the game), the game showcases breathtaking variety. Each area feels distinct, ranging from lush forests and crumbling castles to eerie swamps and snow-covered peaks. The dynamic lighting and weather effects enhance the atmosphere, making the world feel alive and immersive. Character designs, particularly the bosses, are a highlight, with grotesque and awe-inspiring creations that leave a lasting impression. While not the most technically advanced game in terms of textures or pushing the boundaries of realism like some other modern titles, the art direction is so strong that it more than compensates, delivering an unforgettable visual experience. My only minor gripes with the game graphically are occasional texture pop-ins and minor performance issues, but that's most likely because I played it on PS4 rather than PS5 or PC, so it's to be expected. I do also wish this game had a camera mode. I did the best I could to capture dramatic moments and scenery throughout my playthrough of the game, but a dedicated camera mode akin to what games like Ghost of Tsushima, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 have would've definitely been nice to see. Other than these minor nitpicks, there's really nothing else to say, the graphics are outstanding.

SOUND: 10

Where do I even begin? From the very first moment I started the game, I was absolutely blown away by the main menu music. It starts off slow and melancholy, with soft strings and haunting melodies, but in the distance, you can hear the sound of encouraging drums, slowly growing louder and more prominent. It feels like a call to adventure, urging you to take your first steps into the world of the Lands Between and set out on your journey.

Throughout the game, the soundtrack does an excellent job of making you feel the weight of the journey. Boss fight music is particularly noteworthy, as each theme perfectly matches the intensity of the battles, ranging from chaotic and overwhelming to somber and emotional. Many of Elden Ring's tracks feature sweeping orchestral arrangements and towering choirs, which excel at making the player feel small and insignificant (both physically and existentially) while also conveying a profound sense of scale and grandeur. The game's voice acting is another standout feature, being quite good across the board. For me though, the voice actors for Margit/Morgott and Rykard delivered the most exceptional performances, which really helped make their boss fights and cutscenes feel impactful and memorable.

ADDICTIVENESS: 10

For me, Elden Ring was undoubtedly one of the hardest games to put down once I started playing it. I remember diving into it for about 8 hours the first night, followed by several 5+ hour sessions that same week. As someone who loves games like Fire Emblem and Pokémon, where you start off weak but slowly build yourself into a godlike force to be reckoned with, Elden Ring delivered an immensely rewarding experience.

Each of Elden Ring's classes starts you off at a different level, but for the most part, you begin under level 10 and collect runes, which can be used to raise one of your stats by 1 point. Unlike many games where experience points are generously handed out, Elden Ring makes you earn every rune through exploration and defeating tough enemies or bosses. The classic Soulslike mechanic of losing all your runes upon death (and losing them permanently if you die again before retrieving them) adds a thrilling layer of tension to every encounter.

Beyond the addictiveness of leveling up, Elden Ring boasts a massive, beautiful open world filled with secrets—hidden dungeons, powerful enemies, and valuable loot—rewarding players who take the time to venture off the beaten path. It’s a game that constantly makes you think, “Just one more dungeon,” or “I’ll stop after this boss,” only for hours to slip by unnoticed.

STORY: 8

The story of Elden Ring unfolds in the Lands Between, a once-thriving realm now plunged into chaos after Queen Marika destroys the Elden Ring, shattering it into several fragments. The Elden Ring governs order and balance in the Lands Between, and it’s tied to the Erdtree, a divine presence that embodies life and death. The destruction of the ring thrusts the world into turmoil and sparks the Shattering War, a brutal conflict waged by Queen Marika’s demigod children for dominance over the fractured world.

You play as a "filthy Tarnished" (get used to being called this by nearly every other NPC in the game) called back to the Lands Between. Your task is to reclaim the Great Runes from the corrupted demigods, piece together the Elden Ring, and ascend as the next Elden Lord—or forge your own path... While the game repeatedly mentions you and every other NPC becoming the next Elden Lord, the choice to ascend the throne is completely up to you. For all the rage inducing boss fights and dungeons this game puts you through, embracing chaos or going down a completely different path are also completely understandable and valid options.

Elden Ring’s storytelling is cryptic, with much of the deeper lore being hidden in item descriptions, environmental details, and NPC dialogues. With six possible endings, the game lets you shape the fate of the Lands Between, adding replayability and depth to the narrative.

DEPTH: 10

Elden Ring is a masterclass in depth, offering an unparalleled level of complexity and replayability. The character-building system allows for endless experimentation, whether you want to focus on strength-based melee combat, spellcasting, or a hybrid playstyle. Weapons, armor, and spells are abundant, and many come with unique mechanics or lore that encourage players to try new strategies. I spent almost 2 hours deciding what character class I should start with only to ask a friend who'd played the game for his recommendation. I was worried that once I'd chosen a certain class, I'd essentially be married to weapons used by that class and discouraged from trying out other things. I've always really like magic based classes, so I naturally gravitated towards the Astrologer class, but I also didn't want to be limited to a staff all the time. Thankfully my friend put my worries at ease and told me that the game encourages trying out different weapons, skills, and spells regardless of the class you start with. The game also allows you to easily reallocate your stats to accommodate whatever role you want to try out.

The world itself is brimming with content. Beyond the main storyline, there are countless side quests, hidden areas, and secrets to uncover. NPCs like Ranni, Blaidd, and Millicent offer engaging storylines with multiple outcomes, further enriching the experience. The open-world design ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same, as players can choose different routes, alliances, and approaches to combat. I've put just over 200 hours into the game, but I still feel like I've only just scratched the surface of the different possibilities and playstyles available to me.

DIFFICULTY: 9

Elden Ring is unapologetically difficult, staying true to the reputation of FromSoftware games. That said, I do think it strikes a careful balance between difficulty and accesibility for new players. The open world design gives players the freedom to tackle challenges in whatever order they choose. All too often I'd get absolutely destroyed by a difficult boss only to step back from the fight to explore a few more dungeons, acquire a few new weapons, spells, and spirit ashes and then come back to fare much better against a boss that previously felt insurmountable.

There's no sugarcoating it though, Elden Ring's combat system demands patience, timing and strategy. Enemies are relentless and bosses often have wild, unpredictable attack patterns that can throw you for a loop and really test your skills and perseverance (and your patience...). For new players, the learning curve can be steep like it was for me, having never played a soulslike game before, but there's a lot of flexibility in how you can approach the game while still maintaining the high level of challenge that FromSoftware fans crave.


FINAL THOUGHTS

Elden Ring is a monumental achievement in gaming, combining stunning visuals, an incredible soundtrack, and addictive gameplay with rich storytelling and unparalleled depth. Its open-world design and player freedom set a new standard for the genre, while its challenging yet rewarding gameplay ensures that every victory feels earned.

Whether you're a longtime fan of FromSoftware games or a newcomer to the Soulslike genre like me, Elden Ring is an experience that will leave you awe-inspired and hungry for more. Even though I was a little over two years late to the party in playing and experiencing Elden Ring, I'm glad I finally did. It was definitely an unforgettable journey for me, competing with the likes of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for the best game I've played in the last several years.

Overall Score: 9.7/10

I think I already know the answer to this question, but how does the difficulty of Elden Ring compare to Bloodborne? The reason I'm asking is because I tried to get into Bloodborne, but eventually the Cleric Beast fight from that game got me to the point where I needed to just stop. How do the bosses in Elden Ring compare to Bloodbourne, and would you say someone like me who previously said I'd never touch a FromSoftware game again has any chance of getting into Elden Ring?

With all that being said, you did a very good job with this review.