Big Dark Souls

7 rad reveals from the Elden Ring gameplay preview

The Elden Ring gameplay reveal answered — and raised — plenty of questions.

by Robin Bea
Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

Elden Ring’s short delay to February 2022 may be disappointing, but FromSoftware’s recent gameplay preview suggests it’ll be worth the wait.

Bandai Namco

Here are 7 biggest revelations from the Elden Ring gameplay reveal.

1. Not everyone wants to kill you

FromSoftware games have always had friendly NPCs, but they may be a bigger part of Elden Ring.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

Remember the pot boys from Elden Ring’s earlier trailer? Here’s their big brother, a voiced NPC who the player initially has to save from a tight spot, not unlike Siegward in Dark Souls.

Bandai Namco

The few NPCs in the trailer seem less like the cackling weirdos of Dark Souls, offering actual tips (and covetable outfits).

Bandai Namco

Some offer different ways to respond, which could tie into long-term quests.

Bandai Namco

Enemies might even have better things to do than fight you, like this group of caravan guards who let the player run past peacefully.

2. Summoning friends may be less of a pain

Jolly cooperation looks easier this time around.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

FromSoftware is making multiplayer easier. It seems they’re doing away with their usual, unreliable summoning signs and letting players call in friends near checkpoints instead.

Bandai Namco

Communication could even be easier, as one summon is heard calling out to the player in the trailer. Typically, multiplayer partners have had to rely on gestures (which are still an option).

3. Elden Ring is embracing its open world

And it’s taking some cues from Breath of the Wild.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

By abandoning linear paths, Elden Ring opens the door for secrets and shortcuts hidden all over its map.

Speaking of which, there’s actually a useful-looking map this time. You can even place markers that will be visible in the world.

Bandai Namco
4. Stealth looks like a real option

Elden Ring is taking cues from Sekiro, not Dark Souls, when you need to go quiet.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

Elden Ring’s open-world structure means you can sneak by some encounters entirely.

Bandai Namco

There are more options for attacking from stealth, like these sleep arrows, which can set up an easy one-hit kill.

Bandai Namco

Of course, enemies can be sneaky, too.

5. You can unwind with some arts and crafts

Your character is more of a DIY type in Elden Ring.

Bandai Namco

Those sleep arrows? They’re craftable from a handy menu that shows you exactly what materials are required and how to find them.

6. Elden Ring has FromSoftware’s most ambitious combat yet

It combines the best of the studio’s previous games.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

Short-term NPC summons look like a big part of Elden Ring’s combat. Some stick around and fight with you, while others perform a single attack and bounce.

Bandai Namco

Melee and ranged weapons can be used for jumping attacks, reminiscent of Sekiro.

Bandai Namco

There seem to be more ways to break an enemy’s guard, opening them up for critical strikes.

Bandai Namco

There are a ton of abilities on display, from magic spells to weapon skills. The latter resemble Dark Souls 3’s weapon arts, but FromSoft says they can be swapped between weapons.

7. Here be dragons

Dragons are a Dark Souls staple, and they look fiercer than ever in Elden Ring.

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco

Elden Ring’s dragons looks way more mobile than in any other FromSoft game — and way more fun to fight.

Bandai Namco

Creepy dragon-worshipping cults seem to be in. That’s another check on the FromSoft bingo card.

Bandai Namco

This intense boss has a fire-breathing dragon for a hand. A summoned player in another clip seems to use the same attack.

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