19-minute Elden Ring gameplay primer previews haunted vistas, horses that can almost fly
Bandai Namco has graced us today with 19 minutes of fresh Elden Ring footage courtesy of a special YouTube/Twitch broadcast.
A plethora of new gameplay details were unveiled, including a gentle in-game guidance system known as Grace and an ability called Spiritspring that — this is my interpretation, not FromSoftware's official stance — briefly turns your trusty steed into a four-legged Super Mario.
There's a lot to unpack here. Elden Ring's art style is sharp, replete with a lovely array of inviting locales. To be sure, the fog-stuffed plains and dreary yellow skies feel like trademark "Soulsborne" moments far and wide. But an autumnal forest as pretty as the one seen here in the Lands Between could certainly spell my end; for I would be all too pleased to ogle my environs until a massive monster wielding an axe comes sprinting toward me to spell my doom.
Ahead of overworld encounters, players should make full use of the game's crafting system to prepare for the cruelty to come. Some fletched sleepbone arrows appear to do the trick. Packed alongside a deadly sword and a handful of wind-elemental tricks of the trade, a team of ill-fated armored soldiers won't stand a chance.
From hidden catacombs strewn throughout the world to large-scale traditional dungeons like Stormveil Castle, bludgeoning's a brutally FromSoftware affair. And, if this footage is anything to go by, the Lands Between will be populated by a typically eclectic cast of NPCs.
In addition to gameplay, Bandai Namco has opened curtains on the Elden Ring Collector's Edition and Premium Collector's Edition.
The Collector's Edition includes the game, a figurine of the mysterious Malenia character, a Steelbook case, a digital soundtrack, and an art book. If that's not enough, the Premium version tosses in a 1:1 scale replica of Malenia's rad-looking helmet.
Pre-ordering any version of Elden Ring will nab you an adventure guide and a bonus gesture for multiplayer interactions. The guide is designed to assist players with some useful information about the game's early goings. A Digital Deluxe Edition tosses in the art book and soundtrack — the former, of course, is digitized rather than the Collector's Edition's hard-cover physical rendition.
Elden Ring launches on February 25 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A closed network test is scheduled for multiple timeframes between November 12 and 15.
Collector's Editions and Pre-Order Details
Digital Deluxe Edition (Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and STEAM digital storefronts for $79.99 MSRP.)
ELDEN RING game
Digital Artbook and Original Soundtrack
Collector’s Edition (Available at participating retailers for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox One for US$189.99 MSRP, while supplies last)
Physical ELDEN RING game disc
9-inch statue of Malenia – Blade of Miquella
Exclusive SteelBook™ featuring the Elden Ring
40-page hardcover art book
Digital Soundtrack
Premium Collector’s Edition (Exclusively available on the BANDAI NAMCO Store for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox One for fans in the US and Canada for US$259.99 MSRP. Pre-orders coming very soon.)
Physical ELDEN RING game disc
9-inch statue of Malenia – Blade of Miquella
Official Malenia helmet replica 1:1 scale
Exclusive SteelBook™ featuring the Elden Ring
40-page hardcover art book
Digital Soundtrack