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For anyone who’s been a part of FromSoftware’s community long enough,Elden Ringfeels like the absolute peak of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s genius, with nothing but love for its unfathomable world design to its combat encounters.
In all senses of the word, the game is a work of art and a remarkable achievement by the studio. But stay within this game’s discussion boards long enough, and you might come across a few that claim thatElden Ringsimply doesn’t hold a candle to the lightning in a bottle that wasDark Souls 1,for a straightforward reason.
Many Continue to HoldDark Souls 1OverElden RingDue to Its Simplicity
The thing about Souls titles is that if played in the order of their release, you’ll either end up loving FromSoftware’s new titles, notablyElden RingandDark Souls 3, or end up just not being their biggest fans.
It seems that for most folks, the game design of aSoulsgame boils down to striking a balance between challenge and simplicity, something thatDark Soulsarguably got right the best.
As the post above states, when that game came out, it wasn’t about flashy, one-shot moves or overwhelming enemies—it was about patience, persistence, and figuring out how to survive in an oppressive world.
From a mechanical standpoint, all boss fights inDark Souls, at least in a conventional playthrough, weren’t too drawn out with multiple phases and vast health pools. Regular enemies were also more strategically placed to ensure cautious players could overcome them, and skilled players could take them on with ease.
Perhaps equally important is that dodging inDemon’sandDark Soulsdidn’t feel like the only option for defense, with proper spacing and the use of shields still being viable enough—and that, too, felt more realistic and not overly reliant on i-frames.
So when you consider all that, it makes sense why, for many players,Elden Ringcan sometimes feel overturned and trying to do too much, with more cracks in its game design surfacing with each new playthrough.
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Speaking of playthroughs, perhaps the biggest gripe many seem to have with it is that the game just doesn’t feel as replayable at the end of the day, most likely due to its bloated world that you’ll likely skim your way through after the first completion.
We have touched on the world of design and combat, but the overall difficulty is another somewhat controversial point that people seem to bring up when comparing the two titles.
Elden RingandShadow of the Erdtreefeel like a beast just way beyond the league of any other Souls game in terms of difficulty, with one-shot kills and overly aggressive attack patterns that some players feel are more frustrating than fun.
Can all the enemies and bosses be overcome at the end of the day? Yes, absolutely. But do these encounters leave you unbelievably drained and bereft of all semblance of a sense of accomplishment, especially when put againstDark Souls? For many, it’s a yes to that too.
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Lastly, itemization, progression, and NPC quest design are yet another thing thatDark Souls 1seems superior at thanElden Ringfor people. What the argument boils down to is the fact that these things arecarried into Elden Ring straight from the Dark Souls series as it is with very minor adjustments, and at the end of the day, feels out of place for such a massive title.
With all that out of the way, even though we don’t have a horse in this particular race—we love both titles to death—Elden Ringhas undoubtedly shown that there are still lessons that FromSoftware can learn from the past, and perhaps simplifying what has become too complex might be the best way to get started.
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Now, credit where credit’s due; there are still a ton of thingsElden Ringgets right. Its open-world design, though similar toBreath of the Wild’s, is still an unparalleled achievement. The best part is that FromSoftware has basically the sky as its limit when it comes to iterating on said design.
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From a lore perspective,Elden Ringis also one of the best in the series, given how expansive it can be and how well it aligns with the game’s base philosophies. The creativity in its enemy and boss designs, too, cannot be overstated—figures like Malenia and Radahn are undeniably iconic, even if divisive.
However, the game could take lessons from the emotional and mechanical design of earlier titles likeDemon’s SoulsandDark Souls 1. Consider unique encounters like Maiden Astraea, Sif, or Gwyn. These moments were not just battles but also storytelling devices tied much more seamlessly into the world’s lore, which evokes complex emotions even without specific pieces of lore.
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World-building is another area whereDark Souls 1arguably outshines its successor. Its rich environmental storytelling invites players to uncover secrets without overwhelming them.
All that is to say,if FromSoftware has started work on its next title, as rumors have suggested, there are a ton of things that the studio can look back on to figure out what truly clicks with its community the most. Hopefully, the next game we see from Hidetaka Miyazaki will outshine bothElden RingandDark Soulsas the best Souls title of all time.
With all that said, isElden Ring’ssprawling world design and other ambitions worth the trade-off, or does the simplicity ofDark Souls 1ultimately provide a more rewarding experience for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Akshit Dangi
Writer - Gaming
Articles Published :266
Akshit is a supposed human being and gaming writer who lurks in different corners of the internet in search of fascinating rabbit holes. Outside of that, though, you’ll most likely find him staring at a piece of art for days or completing another playthrough of Silent Hill.
