A goal for network TV has always been to create the thing colleagues would discuss while standing around the office water cooler. Shows likeFriends,Cheers, andSeinfeldwere all major hits at the time, with modern smash-hits likeGame of Thrones,Stranger Things, andSquid Gameall showcasing that the ‘water cooler’ effect is still there, even if the discussion has moved to online platforms like Twitter. This ‘water cooler’ effect isn’t limited to TV, andElden Ringlooks like it might just be the next ‘water cooler’ game.
In March 2017,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildreleased alongside the Nintendo Switch and proceeded to be the most talked about game for a few months. Rather than speculating on who might sit on the Iron Throne, players were discussing that last Shrine they found, the last Tower they climbed, or an absurd encounter they had with a pack of Bokoblins. Although aBreath of the Wildsequelis currently set to drop this year,Elden Ringis up first and looks as though it might achieve the same effect.
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Elden Ring Has More Possible Boss Strategies Than Ever
FromSoftware games often get the limelight, with theDark Soulsseries,Bloodborne, andSekiroall enjoying a good deal of critical and fan discussion after release. Much of the discussion aroundFromSoftware’s previous titleshas centered around their infamous series of difficult bosses and what methods players have used to defeat them.
WhenDark Souls 3released, the discussion around that game honed in on the game’s tougher bosses and what classes, weapons, and spells players were using to gain the upper hand. The same can be said forFromSoftware’s latest releaseSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with players shifting the focus away from classes and weapons to discuss what consumable items and blocking patterns were best with the game’s difficult bosses.
Elden Ringlooks as though it’s going to continue this trend, and expand upon it. WhileElden Ringhas the same number of classesasDark Souls, the 10 that players can choose from seem a little more distinct. The variety of weapons inElden Ring, and how they can be used, also looks to be more distinct than previous FromSoft games with twinblades, daggers, longswords, bows, and multiple types of magic all being present. This should offer a unique moveset that can be changed on the fly.
Weapon arts fromDark Souls 3also make a return, with each weapon having an alternative attack that can fire a magic blast or perform a devastating move. Power stances fromDark Souls 2are also featured,allowing players to dual-wield two weaponsof the same type and be given a unique moveset that utilizes both at the same time.
These additional class differences, weapon types, and alternative moveset styles all combine to makeElden Ringseem like one of the most varied FromSoftware games, giving it the potential to be one of the most talked about releases of the year as more variation across play-styles means that there will be more strategies than ever
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Open Exploration in Elden Ring
In gameplay footage and a lengthy network test demo sent out a few months ago,Elden Ringhas drawn more than justa few comparisons toBreath of the Wild. Some comparisons are undeniable, but that’s not a bad thing.
Elden Ringlooks as though it might just capture the same sense of freedom and exploration thatBreath of the Wildgave players. From everything fans have seen, the game looks like it’s going to be extremely open with no dedicated map markers showing players points of interest. Inthe network test, players were able to explore just a small section of the map, but even in this small segment were able to discover a wide range of hidden tombs, caves, and optional boss fights.
After the network test, many players discussed what they found, which revealed that some players had a totally different experiencefinding areas and boss fights, coming into contact with a variety of different foes. If the network test is anything to go by,Elden Ring’s full release is bound to expand on this ten-fold.
When it releases,Elden Ringis almost certainly going to spark the same discussions thatBreath of the Wilddid. Players will be talking about the different caves they’ve found,secret bosses, and how they got attacked by a gang of unique enemies. WithElden Ring’s focus on leveling-up and loot, discussions about where to find the best armor and weapons are also likely to occur.
FromSoftware’s Signature Storytelling
FromSoftware has a particular style of telling a narrative, with most of its games' plot being told through an opening cutscene and then environmental clues and item lore. Those who have deep-dived intoDark Souls' loreknow how confusing, but rewarding, this type of storytelling can be.
AlthoughElden Ringlooks like it may have more of a straightforward narrative, withGame of Thrones' George R.R. Martinlending his writing talents to the game. Yet it’s certain to stick to its roots, and there’s going to be a whole slew of lore tidbits hidden away in unassuming dialog and item descriptions. As is the case with every FromSoftware title, this is bound to spark years' worth of discussions on YouTube, and is yet another area in whichElden Ringshould achieve that ‘water cooler’ effect.
Elden Ringreleases August 03, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
