If you've played any of FromSoftware's "Souls" games, like Dark Souls or Bloodborne, jumping into Elden Ring will feel familiar. But is it really a Souls game? The short answer is: yes, but it's also much more. FromSoftware took the winning formula of their previous games and expanded it into a massive open world, creating a unique experience that has captivated millions of players worldwide.

When I first started playing Elden Ring, I definitely got that classic Souls vibe. The challenging combat, the feeling of dread as I explored a new area, and the satisfaction of finally beating a tough boss were all there. I remember spending a solid hour trying to defeat the Tree Sentinel at the beginning of the game. It was frustrating, but when I finally took him down, the sense of accomplishment was incredible. It’s these moments that really define the Souls experience for me.

How Elden Ring is Like a Souls Game

So, what makes Elden Ring a Souls game? Here are a few key things:

• Tough Combat: Just like in other Souls games, the combat in Elden Ring is all about timing, patience, and learning from your mistakes. You can't just run in and start swinging your sword wildly. You have to watch your enemy's moves, look for openings, and know when to dodge or block.
• Minimal Hand-Holding: Elden Ring doesn't hold your hand. It drops you into a huge world and lets you figure things out on your own. There are no quest markers or checklists to guide you. You have to explore, talk to characters, and piece together the story for yourself.
• Bonfire-like System: In Elden Ring, you have Sites of Grace, which work just like the bonfires in Dark Souls. These are safe spots where you can rest, level up, and manage your inventory. But be warned: resting at a Site of Grace will also bring back all the enemies in the area.
• Losing Your "Souls": When you die in Elden Ring, you drop all your runes, which are like the souls in Dark Souls. You have one chance to get back to where you died and pick them up. If you die again before you can get them, they're gone for good.

I’ve had my fair share of heart-pounding moments trying to retrieve a large number of runes after a stupid death. I once lost over 50,000 runes because I got greedy and tried to take on a dragon that was way too strong for me. It was a painful lesson, but it taught me to be more careful and strategic in my approach.

How Elden Ring is Different

While Elden Ring has a lot in common with the Souls games, it also has some big differences that make it stand out:

• Open World: This is the biggest change. Instead of a series of interconnected levels, Elden Ring has a massive open world called the Lands Between. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. This freedom can be a little overwhelming at first, but it also means there's always something new to discover. For more on the open world of Elden Ring, check out our post on whether Elden Ring is open world.
• Mounted Combat: You get a horse named Torrent that you can ride around the world. This makes getting around a lot faster and easier. You can also fight on horseback, which adds a whole new dimension to the combat.
• Crafting: You can gather materials from the world and use them to craft items like arrows, bombs, and healing items. This is a really useful feature that can help you out in a pinch.
• More Forgiving: While Elden Ring is still a challenging game, it's a little more forgiving than other Souls games. There are more Sites of Grace, so you don't have to go as far when you die. There's also a new feature called Stakes of Marika, which are extra checkpoints that you can use to respawn closer to where you died.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. If you want to make in-app purchases, you can use Playstorm to earn gift cards for the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Steam.

So, is Elden Ring a Souls game? Yes, it is. But it's also a whole lot more. It's a game that takes the best parts of the Souls series and expands on them in new and exciting ways. If you're a fan of the Souls games, you'll feel right at home in the Lands Between. And if you're new to the series, Elden Ring is a great place to start.