I Can't Stop Playing Elden Ring

Video games have played an important role in nearly every part of my life. Whether it was playing Ratchet and Clank with my friends growing up, rocking out to Guitar Hero and eating pizza every Friday night, or enjoying the cinematic quality of the Uncharted series with my parents as a teenager, I can correlate a game to any era or season. I know I’m not alone in relating so closely to the digital escapism that games provide, as video games have quickly become some of the most popular forms of media and entertainment on the planet. That is because these pieces of art aren’t simply escapism; instead, video games are able to teach us about our humanity, engage our mind’s eye, and take us on immersive emotional and spiritual journeys unlike any other medium.

It’s very possible that you’ve recently heard of a new release called Elden Ring that has taken the gaming world by storm. Part of the Souls series, Elden Ring is the product of years of development, devotion, and dedication from its founding studio From Software, creator Hidetaka Miyazaki, and “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R. R. Martin. This series has garnered a reputation for its sprawling landscapes, extensive lore, and addicting yet punishing gameplay, but Elden Ring takes all of those qualities to the next level.

Completely open world and exploratory in style, Elden Ring channels the medieval intrigue of “The Lord of the Rings,” the mystical and magical nature of “Game of Thrones,” and the horseback epic storytelling of Red Dead Redemption. It’s quickly apparent that this game will hold your hand just enough to get your bearings, but its guidance doesn’t overstay its welcome as you are quickly thrown into the deep end. With little direction, the player is allowed to simply take on this brand new world after creating their character, while appreciating the enriched lore and spectacular graphics and landscapes that so incredibly hold the game together.

Elden Ring makes you the chosen one, in a way, starting from humble beginnings as a “Tarnished” and making your way to eventually attempt to rule all of the lands and become the Elden Lord. Throughout this absolutely incredible journey, you are taken to different locations, forced to fight different creatures, and introduced to various NPCs who help push the story along. Each one of these battles and interactions is satisfying, and the game never feels like it has a good stopping point despite providing hundreds hours of fresh and explorable content.

Although I haven’t beaten the game yet, (hell, I just started playing a few days ago,) I can already tell that Elden Ring will be a video game that I look back on fondly. Its larger-than-life scope was overwhelming at first, but now exploring all that it has to offer is starting to feel more and more accomplishable after every gaming session. The satisfaction after finally defeating a difficult boss level is unrivaled (especially you, Margit and Renalla,) and the giddy, child-like feeling that this world has given me is unparalleled. After being skeptical at first, I now understand the resounding and deserved acclaim Elden Ring is receiving, and I can’t stop playing. I suggest you start.