Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has faced backlash for its challenging gameplay, reigniting discussions about FromSoftware’s design choices two years after the base game’s release. Despite the game being popular among souls fans, it has received a “mixed” user review score on Steam.
Factors Contributing to Player Criticism
Several factors have contributed to the criticism, including the new Scadutree Fragments scaling system catching players off-guard, hyper-aggressive bosses with complex combo strings, and choppy performance issues. While some believe the game pushes the boundaries of difficulty, others like Elden Ring streamer Kai Cenat disagree.
Cenat, known for his endurance in playing FromSoftware games, shared his thoughts on the difficulty critics during a recent stream. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and skill in overcoming challenges, dismissing claims that the DLC is too hard.
The Debate Over Boss Difficulty
Despite facing difficulties with the final boss of the DLC, Cenat remains determined to conquer the game, highlighting the enduring appeal of Elden Ring’s challenging gameplay. As players continue to navigate the world of Elden Ring, the debate over its difficulty level rages on.
- Game Difficulty: The new Scadutree Fragments scaling system has introduced an unexpected layer of complexity.
- Boss Difficulty: Hyper-aggressive bosses with intricate combo strings have left many players frustrated.
- Performance Issues: Choppy performance has added another layer of challenge, though not in a way players appreciate.
While some gamers revel in the increased challenge, others feel it detracts from the overall experience. The mixed reviews on Steam reflect this divide, with some praising the game for its relentless difficulty and others criticizing it for being unnecessarily punishing.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has succeeded in sparking conversation and controversy, much like its predecessors. Whether this will impact future FromSoftware titles remains to be seen, but for now, players are left to grapple with the game’s formidable challenges.