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A Deceptive Beginning
My expedition into the enchanting yet formidable world of Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, began with a moment of playful trickery. My only knowledge of the game at this point was that it was hard and I would get a horse. As I exited the Cave of Knowledge and stepped out on the cliff overlooking Limgrave, my first thought was ‘This isn’t so bad’. That didn’t last long as I was guided by my son’s mischievous advice to approach the first knight I could see. He said “Go over to that knight. He will give you your horse”. I knew he was up to something but still I hesitantly approached the knight. It didn’t take long before I found myself being brutally pummeled to death and the first visions of the words “You Died” appearing before me. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a personal journey that would test my resilience and determination.
Defying Expectations
As an older and less skilled player, I was determined to prove to myself that I could succeed in completing this game. I ventured forth after my first defeat, with enthusiasm, into the visually stunning landscapes of Elden Ring. The majestic mountains and captivating storyline beckoned, reminiscent of the excellence seen in Red Dead Redemption 2, one of my most favorite games of all time. The vastness of these dangerous lands was only recognized when I randomly encountered a trap chest that teleported me to a horrific new area called Caelid—a red-hot place filled with hostile and scary-looking creatures. It was only when I opened my map did I realize how far away I was from my original starting point.
Undeterred by warnings of the game’s difficulty by my children, and their reminder of refusing to beat the bosses for me, I veered away from the starting knight to save for later in the game. My goal was clear: to complete Elden Ring and challenge my personal perceptions I had of myself and the perceptions others had of me. The initial struggles and subsequent pummeling from the knight only fueled my resolve to give it my all.
The Mimic Tear Dilemma
During my journey in defeating some of the toughest bosses, I discovered something called the Mimic Tear. It is a duplicate of your character and your weapons. Once I discovered it, my life in this game became easier. Defeating bosses became more manageable. My kids did not like this, particularly my younger son, who is a Dark Souls fan. He felt that I was doing a disservice to myself by using the Mimic Tear. We had many arguments over whether I should use it or not. As my journey continued, we found ways to make deals on when or when I wouldn’t use it.
One of the most memorable moments of this journey was the triumphant defeat of Malenia. Melania is an optional boss who has a reputation of being the hardest boss in Elden Ring. My son, acting as a guide, urged me to stop relying on Mimic Tear, emphasizing again the game’s intention for challenging encounters. For this battle I put away the Mimic Tear and learned to properly fight as I worked to defeat Malenia. This victory, achieved after numerous setbacks, many months and with minimal assistance, symbolized the essence of Elden Ring’s demanding nature.
The above video was created by my son, that captures my months long attempt to defeat Malenia in a short video.
Meticulous Preparation
To enhance my chances of success, I meticulously refined my character’s build, incorporating both sorcery and close combat elements. Armed with the Glintstone Staff and Moonveil Katana, I tirelessly farmed runes to bolster my strength and faced each boss methodically.
My approach to combat varied based on the boss’s movements and, sometimes I would secretly search up ways to beat the boss when my son wasn’t looking. Utilizing Mimic Tear (against my son’s wishes), wands, and a diverse set of potions, I adapted to the unique challenges posed by each encounter. Elden Ring demanded flexibility, and my dual capabilities—sorcery and close combat—provided effective solutions.
Impacts of Memorable Storylines
The game’s lore still somewhat remained a mystery to me, but the storytelling through captivating cutscenes, the multiple side quests, and my main goal, to reach the base of Erdtree, added depth to the overall experience. Elden Ring’s diverse locations, though all impressive, did not overshadow the relentless pursuit of overcoming challenging foes.
While my son preferred a blind playthrough, I occasionally delved into research, discovering Mohgwhyn’s Palace as an optimal location for farming runes. Our differing play styles led to occasional frustrations, but the collaborative effort contributed to the experience of the overall journey.
There are many storylines throughout this game that left a lasting impression on me, and one of them was that of Melina. You encounter her at the start of the game as she guides you on your journey through the story by appearing at key moments to offer advice. The questline of Millicent left a profound impact, offering a tragic narrative within the vast tapestry of Elden Ring’s world. Each boss battle, including the formidable Radahn or Rennala, both with their own unique arenas, required meticulous understanding of their patterns and weaknesses.
The Cliffs Beyond Stormveil Castle
As I navigated through the game’s diverse regions and successfully clearing Stormveil Castle, a sense of marvel and dread enveloped me upon stepping out and standing on the cliffs behind it. From there, I beheld the breathtaking landscape stretching beyond, where a much larger castle in the distance stood. Accomplishment surged within me after defeating Godrick The Grafted, yet a lingering sense of dread prevailed, knowing that this was just the beginning.
Adapting to obstacles, obscure quest markers, locked regions, and evolving strategies, I learned to appreciate Elden Ring’s non-linear nature. Traversing through dangerous lands and battling bosses of all types became a regular challenge that I would attempt to first use “proper” fighting skills with before using my Mimic Tear.
The decision to use Mimic Tear was a delicate balance between embracing assistance and adhering to the game’s intended difficulty. It allowed me to progress while ensuring a genuine and challenging experience. My son would disagree with this but for me and my playstyle it was important in allowing me to enjoy the game.
Elden Ring's Enduring Legacy
In the end, Elden Ring’s non-linear design, captivating lore, challenging bosses, and the personal journey of self-improvement culminated in a triumphant completion. As the master of my own direction, I navigated the complexities of this exceptional game, emerging victorious against all odds. Elden Ring not only showcases the visionary brilliance of its creators, FromSoftware, Inc., but also stands as a personal triumph, a testament to my determination to conquer its breathtaking challenges despite my modest gaming skills.