The huge impact the first Dark Souls had on me during high school left me skeptical that Elden Ring could be as meaningful to me as an adult. I was close to just skipping it. However, my friends convinced me to give it a shot with the Seamless Co-Op mod last month. We didn't make much progress as a group, but I had a blast finishing the game solo. I thought it was worth the full price of admission even though the online hype train had long since departed.

Elden Ring didn't change my life, and I don't think it's From Software's best game. I had issues with its uneven pacing and poorly incorporated open-world elements. Crafting felt almost useless, for example, and my desire to explore evaporated after discovering the same recycled dungeon for the fifth time. That being said, the stunning landscapes, satisfying combat, and compelling lore made the journey worthwhile. I'm glad I gave Elden Ring a chance. Now, I find myself looking forward to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, even if I'm not quite as hyped as I was for the Crown of the Sunken King a decade ago.

The huge impact the first Dark Souls had on me during high school left me skeptical that Elden Ring could be as meaningful to me as an adult. I was close to just skipping it. However, my friends convinced me to give it a shot with the Seamless Co-Op mod last month. We didn't make much progress as a group, but I had a blast finishing the game solo. I thought it was worth the full price of admission even though the online hype train had long since departed. Elden Ring didn't change my life, and I don't think it's From Software's best game. I had issues with its uneven pacing and poorly incorporated open-world elements. Crafting felt almost useless, for example, and my desire to explore evaporated after discovering the same recycled dungeon for the fifth time. That being said, the stunning landscapes, satisfying combat, and compelling lore made the journey worthwhile. I'm glad I gave Elden Ring a chance. Now, I find myself looking forward to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, even if I'm not quite as hyped as I was for the Crown of the Sunken King a decade ago.