Elden Ring difficulty is part of its “identity”, says Hidetaka Miyazaki. The game’s director said during an interview with the New Yorker.
Elden Ring FAQ: Every Guide You’ll Need
“We are always looking to improve, but, in our games specifically, hardship is what gives meaning to the experience,” said Miyazaki. “So, it’s not something we’re willing to abandon at the moment. It’s our identity.”
Miyazaki’s words have once again sparked the debate of difficulty vs accessibility. However, Miyazaki understands that for some “there’s just too much to overcome” and admitted that he’s not a “very skilled player.”
“I’ve never been a very skilled player,” added Miyazaki. “I die a lot. So, in my work, I want to answer the question: If death is to be more than a mark of failure, how do I give it meaning? How do I make death enjoyable?
“I do feel apologetic toward anyone who feels there’s just too much to overcome in my games,” Miyazaki said. “I just want as many players as possible to experience the joy that comes from overcoming hardship.”
Personally, I suck at Soulsborne games, but that’s not to say that I don’t love them. Its world, characters, enemies, and deep lore are some of the most enticing aspects of the series. However, so too is its difficulty. They offer a profound sense of satisfaction when overcoming challenging odds. Without that, I would admit that it would lose some of its identity.
Difficulty vs Accessibility
That being said, if someone was playing a “challenging” game in an easier setting, it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. As long as it doesn’t negatively impact my experience. This is why I believe that additional options that cater to multiple skill levels are important.
However, Elden Ring has made some adjustments to make FromSoftware’s latest title more accessible such as introducing improved stealth mechanics and having more emphasis on multiplayer assistance. Though to be fair, that hasn’t stopped me from sucking at Elden Ring. But I still love you.
In our review of Elden Ring, we said: “If Dark Souls was the earthquake, Elden Ring is the aftershock. In a sense, it’s more of a love letter to the Soulsborne fanbase, incorporating dramatic fragments of each past game into a single product that is rewarding and fulfilling. While not perfect, I believe that FromSoftware has followed through on the hype surrounding this game and been able to create something truly mesmerising.”
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What are your thoughts on the Elden Ring difficulty as well as accessibility in Soulsborne-like games? Let us know across our social media channels.
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Featured Image Credit: FromSoftware