From Software Elden Ring - From Software's new game with writing by GRRM

[Silverfish]

A boss trying to charm you and using illusions could have been an amazing boss fight. Imagine him using illusions to change the environment as you fought. And as he gets not damaged the illusions start breaking like mirrors. There's so many ways to use him that weren't a single grab attack.

Would have been a cool idea, and the community (who conveniently forgot that Demon's Souls existed) screeching "gimmick fight!" would have been pure gold.

 

[Reinhardt]

met swamp dragon. this time he spits BLUE flame! so creative! i'm skipping flying pigs from now on.

 

[Stoned Ape]

met swamp dragon. this time he spits BLUE flame! so creative! i'm skipping flying pigs from now on.

Gotta collect all those delicious Dragon Hearts if you want to be a True Drake Warrior.

 

[Ravielsk]

But I was left dissapointed with the narrative and story. Miquella - Radahn connection was non-existant and came out of nowhere. Did Malenia really go after Radahn just so that Miquella could have his body? I thought she went because she wanted to make the stars move again... which I still think would have been a better reason than this out of nowhere plan. Marika backstory is alright I guess, didn't really think we needed that part explained, and it's about ancient stuff that already happened, nothing concerning the shattering and the base game. Messmer for how he was built up and what a cool character he is, didn't really leave enough impact in the end too, storywise. The NPCS were really well done though, liked all of them.

I think a good chunk of the problem is how barren in terms of story the base game is.
Miquella and Malenia are barely characters in the base game.
Radahn is mentioned only as far as what happened to him in Caelid.
Marika is well... she isn't even really in the base game to begin with.

So when the game serves you a revelation about Marika's motivations it just kind of rings hollow because its a revelation about a character you really know nothing about. Same with Miquella, Malenia and Radahn. The base gives us so little info about them that additional revelations about their relationship and goals do no register as "HOLY FUCKING SHIT, WHAT A TWIST" but more like "oh, I guess that is ok?"

Compare that to Arthorias from DS1 who was very much a character even in the base game and had a backstory worth exploring as the two versions of his sword you could get told mutually contradictory versions on his story. Then the DLC came and cleared up all that confusion. Same with Dusk and Oolacile. It was all setup ahead of time and therefore had some real impact.

In ER the best we got in terms of setup is the description of the Numen race possibly hinting at Marika not always being a goddess but otherwise nothing. So the revelations about nothing also feel like nothing.

 

[Stoned Ape]

But I was left dissapointed with the narrative and story. Miquella - Radahn connection was non-existant and came out of nowhere. Did Malenia really go after Radahn just so that Miquella could have his body? I thought she went because she wanted to make the stars move again... which I still think would have been a better reason than this out of nowhere plan. Marika backstory is alright I guess, didn't really think we needed that part explained, and it's about ancient stuff that already happened, nothing concerning the shattering and the base game. Messmer for how he was built up and what a cool character he is, didn't really leave enough impact in the end too, storywise. The NPCS were really well done though, liked all of them.

I think a good chunk of the problem is how barren in terms of story the base game is.
Miquella and Malenia are barely characters in the base game.
Radahn is mentioned only as far as what happened to him in Caelid.
Marika is well... she isn't even really in the base game to begin with.

So when the game serves you a revelation about Marika's motivations it just kind of rings hollow because its a revelation about a character you really know nothing about. Same with Miquella, Malenia and Radahn. The base gives us so little info about them that additional revelations about their relationship and goals do no register as "HOLY FUCKING SHIT, WHAT A TWIST" but more like "oh, I guess that is ok?"

Compare that to Arthorias from DS1 who was very much a character even in the base game and had a backstory worth exploring as the two versions of his sword you could get told mutually contradictory versions on his story. Then the DLC came and cleared up all that confusion. Same with Dusk and Oolacile. It was all setup ahead of time and therefore had some real impact.

In ER the best we got in terms of setup is the description of the Numen race possibly hinting at Marika not always being a goddess but otherwise nothing. So the revelations about nothing also feel like nothing.

Speaking of stuff they've not elaborated on I kind of wish they'd include a hint (other than the rambling of one ghost) about why Marika's other illegitimate children have all been beheaded and left in the wandering Mausoleums. Is it something to do with their being cursed?

 

[Lyric Suite]

So far i'm enjoying the whole Hornsent genocide sub-plot i haven't got the faintest clue or interest about Miquella lol.

 

[Reinhardt]

lol, "story". storyfag playthrough is basically "you've met an npc. much later you can loot his corpse." as opposed to combatfag's "you've met an npc and looted his corpse at first meeting."

 

[Stoned Ape]

Marika Mystery Musings

So, am I correct in assuming that Marika was Jarred like the other shamans, but she successfully resurrected as a saint and that is why the Hornsent say she betrayed them (they gave her the 'gift' of sainthood and she responded by destroying their civilisation as revenge for the genocide of her people)?

Was Radagon originally one of the others that were interred in the jar with her? Were her many children (if you count the beheaded demigods in the wandering mausoleums she has a lot) also formed from pieces of other people who ended up in the jar with her?

Is that why she cracked like a pot when the Elden Ring shattered?

 

[FugueLah]

Marika Mystery Musings

So, am I correct in assuming that Marika was Jarred like the other shamans, but she successfully resurrected as a saint and that is why the Hornsent say she betrayed them (they gave her the 'gift' of sainthood and she responded by destroying their civilisation as revenge for the genocide of her people)?

Was Radagon originally one of the others that were interred in the jar with her? Were her many children (if you count the beheaded demigods in the wandering mausoleums she has a lot) also formed from pieces of other people who ended up in the jar with her?

Is that why she cracked like a pot when the Elden Ring shattered?

Spoiler

Marika was not jarred. She seduced and betrayed the Hornsent leader, who perhaps had been planning to become god himself. She became a god instead. Marika's people were jarred because their flesh can merge with other life (which explains Godric's grafting). The living jars purpose is to store life in preparation for a mass sacrifice at the divine gate. This mass sacrifice is what channels the crucible, allowing ascension into godhood.

 

[Dobkeratops]

Elden Ring’s Igon on Recording His Role in the Erdtree DLC and Meeting Miyazaki: ‘It Was Epic in There’

Zanzibart forgive me for reposting an ign article but this was pretty good. Especially the bit about Miyazaki being this mysterious vaguely sinister taskmaster and Igon memes.

I’m not the only one who’s been showing Lintern Igon memes. He tells me his son keeps sending references and asking him what “Curse you, Bayle,” means, but up until now Lintern hasn’t had a helpful answer.

 

[Hell Swarm]

The Miyazaki wank needs to die. He'll be getting credit for inventing Pac-man next.

 

[Odoryuk]

He'll be getting credit for investing Pac-man next

Namco Bandai owns Pac-Man, Namco Bandai getting rights to publish Demon's Souls in the West saved this company from bankruptcy, meaning that Miyazaki indirectly invested into Pac-Man.

 

[Hell Swarm]

He'll be getting credit for investing Pac-man next

Namco Bandai owns Pac-Man, Namco Bandai getting rights to publish Demon's Souls in the West saved this company from bankruptcy, meaning that Miyazaki indirectly invested into Pac-Man.

Demon's souls didn't sell very well. It was Dark souls that took off. But the interview is "Miyazaki stood in the back and I spent 5 hours talking to Adam and recording lines in what could have been done in 10 minutes". Which isn't a glowing endorsement. Sounds wasteful and hard on people's voices for no reason.

 

[Dobkeratops]

Won't someone think of the poor voice actors

 

[Odoryuk]

Demon's souls didn't sell very well. It was Dark souls that took off.

Right, I mixed two things together. Though, them already publishing Demon's Souls helped to get Dark Souls as well.

But the interview is "Miyazaki stood in the back and I spent 5 hours talking to Adam and recording lines in what could have been done in 10 minutes". Which isn't a glowing endorsement. Sounds wasteful and hard on people's voices for no reason.

Based on the performance it was well worth it. I remember people making fun of English Gyobu Masataka Oniwa voice acting in Sekiro and memeing it because it felt kinda funny.
Igon's voice lines are being almost worshipped, it sounds so powerful and sincere. There's a lot of memes with his voice and they all fucking badass. You can't make something like this in 10 minutes.

Not summoning Igon for Bayle is playing the game wrong™, and it's all thanks to his voice acting.

 

[Hell Swarm]

Demon's souls didn't sell very well. It was Dark souls that took off.

Right, I mixed two things together. Though, them already publishing Demon's Souls helped to get Dark Souls as well.

But the interview is "Miyazaki stood in the back and I spent 5 hours talking to Adam and recording lines in what could have been done in 10 minutes". Which isn't a glowing endorsement. Sounds wasteful and hard on people's voices for no reason.

Based on the performance it was well worth it. I remember people making fun of English Gyobu Masataka Oniwa voice acting in Sekiro and memeing it because it felt kinda funny.
Igon's voice lines are being almost worshipped, it sounds so powerful and sincere. There's a lot of memes with his voice and they all fucking badass. You can't make something like this in 10 minutes.

Not summoning Igon for Bayle is playing the game wrong™, and it's all thanks to his voice acting.

I missed him sadly. I went in to die to Bayle to see what he could do and then he was dead by accident. I would have summoned him. He's a brilliant actor and deserves all the praise. So does this Adam dude who actually directed him and helped him understand how game voice acting works. Which is why I don't like all the Miyazaki praise. At least 2 other men did a more important job but he's the one having smoke blown up his ass the entire article.

 

[Odoryuk]

Demon's souls didn't sell very well. It was Dark souls that took off.

Right, I mixed two things together. Though, them already publishing Demon's Souls helped to get Dark Souls as well.

But the interview is "Miyazaki stood in the back and I spent 5 hours talking to Adam and recording lines in what could have been done in 10 minutes". Which isn't a glowing endorsement. Sounds wasteful and hard on people's voices for no reason.

Based on the performance it was well worth it. I remember people making fun of English Gyobu Masataka Oniwa voice acting in Sekiro and memeing it because it felt kinda funny.
Igon's voice lines are being almost worshipped, it sounds so powerful and sincere. There's a lot of memes with his voice and they all fucking badass. You can't make something like this in 10 minutes.

Not summoning Igon for Bayle is playing the game wrong™, and it's all thanks to his voice acting.

I missed him sadly. I went in to die to Bayle to see what he could do and then he was dead by accident. I would have summoned him. He's a brilliant actor and deserves all the praise. So does this Adam dude who actually directed him and helped him understand how game voice acting works. Which is why I don't like all the Miyazaki praise. At least 2 other men did a more important job but he's the one having smoke blown up his ass the entire article.

Miyazaki is known for participating in audio recordings and castings and it's him who was giving direction and wasn't satisfied with the recorded lines for 5 hours straight.

 

[Nathir]

But I was left dissapointed with the narrative and story. Miquella - Radahn connection was non-existant and came out of nowhere. Did Malenia really go after Radahn just so that Miquella could have his body?

Milenia had to kill Radahn so his soul could be implanted into a new body as part of the God ceremony.

Romina really bothered me, not sure why we needed a random area with rot pests and a related boss.

She's one of the best bosses and she's supposed to contrast with Millenia. She accepted the rot and became strong while the other rejected it. It's an interesting contrast and the fights one of the coolest in the DLC IMO.

Why force Radahn as the promised consort for Miquella?

Real reason is the same reason Solaire is mentioned over and over after Dark souls 1. Fans demanded more of him and From will give the fanboys what they want. There was so much talk about him non-infected that it lead to them making it a fight. I agree it was forced and I wanted to fight the twink instead. A boss trying to charm you and using illusions could have been an amazing boss fight. Imagine him using illusions to change the environment as you fought. And as he gets not damaged the illusions start breaking like mirrors. There's so many ways to use him that weren't a single grab attack.

- Yeah, I get that. It's not about that it doesn't make sense or that it is a plothole or whatever. It's about me not liking it.

- Disagree, for me it was one of the worst fights. She reminded me of a DS3 boss visually, and her movements were too weird and all over the place. I'm not saying it was hard, she's probably the easiest boss in the DLC, I just didn't enjoy fighting her at all, or the visual design. I don't think there is a contrast with Malenia here. Malenia was strong without the rot. Her whole story is about resisting the rot and still being a champion despite the affliction. Giving into the rot to defeat Radahn is a sin of immense pride and Malenia herself literally shatters her personality into 5 pieces and never regains a sense of "self" again (Milicent questline).

Even if such a contrast was the intention and I would have loved the fight... I still don't get why we needed a rot related boss? It's the same with Midra, where I really loved everything about it... but why do we need a frenzied lord for a boss? We had Vyke already. Our character can become one... What is the point here?

- Maybe, I also saw some people clamoring hard for a "prime Radahn" fight online. But would From really take such feedback into account? The company that hides whole areas and bosses like Placidusax away? Maybe, not sure. Agreed with the rest. Again, the whole point of my original post was that I just expected something else.

 

[Reinhardt]

finally found somber stone 3. already had some 4s and 5s and even one 6 for yellow pigdog in crystal mine. upgraded my doggo sword from 2 to 6 in one go. feels gud.

 

[Hell Swarm]

- Maybe, I also saw some people clamoring hard for a "prime Radahn" fight online. But would From really take such feedback into account? The company that hides whole areas and bosses like Placidusax away? Maybe, not sure. Agreed with the rest. Again, the whole point of my original post was that I just expected something else.

A solaire Amiibo exists and he's mentioned in Dark souls 2, which has nothing to do with Lordran... So what do you think?

 

[smaug]

killed like 7 or 8 bosses in the DLC but haven't unlocked the last places (?) yet. This DLC is a fucking sham, a single DS2 DLC is better than this entire DLC

I guess the bosses are fine (exciting enough for those who care) but the level design is AWFUL. The main levels I played through so far are tiny, easy, and so un-interesting you could teleport to the boss fights and not miss anything substantial

the DLC has quite a few copy pasted enemies (and in it the DLC itself, I.E multiple fire giants things) as well from the main game and the open world is just as boring and retarded as it is in the main game

like just give me a level like the Lyndell Capital from the main game or something fucking hell ANYTHING

also the loot in dungeons once again being useless craftables and smithing stones +1/2/3 just LOL

 

[FugueLah]

Shadow Keep is great.

 

[Hell Swarm]

Sucks that the randomizer won't be updated for the DLC for quite a while. Was going to do a seamless coop randomizer game racing to see who could beat 5 bosses the fastest. Seemed like a real blast but the latest patch breaks the mod.

 

[Bloodeyes]

I'm up to the final boss. I haven't beaten him yet. I've had to change my approach to these games over the course of this playthrough. Normally I solo everything but trying to do that with Bayle broke me. After 6 hours of getting knocked off my feet by explosions I summoned the NPC and got him first try.

I'm having to re-learn how to invade as well. The new meta is pretty insane. I've been forced to play smarter.

 

[Hell Swarm]

Elden Ring has 2 mangas. A Korean/Chinese style one with barely any dialog designed to be read vertically on a phone screen. It's about a knight murdering the bosses. Starts with Margott and Margitt and then goes back to Stormveil. The arts nice but it's so bare bones it's boring. The other is a Japanese one that's a joke. The hero starts out naked and has his flasks glued to his ass cheeks. It's extremely silly and not that funny (as much Japanese things aren't) but it tries to tell an actual story.

While reading the former I was reminded how disappointed I was with grafting in the game. Limgrave makes it out to be a big deal and one of our most important companions is very upset by it... And then it's forgotten. We could have had some great body horror made of different body parts but end up with basically giant hands and the spiders and nothing else. Bloodborne's crows are so fucking cool and we didn't even see things like those. Dogs with other animal heads or people with crab claws. The joke manga has a crab claw with little limbs attached to it as a joke and it reminded me how lazy From was with one of the most interesting concepts in the series. All it needed was to be pushed further. Even if it was a lot of work to animate so many body parts. Even just showing worse abominations in what Godrick was willing to attached to his knights would have been cool.