4 ms·

I just want to point out that although BOTW is perhaps the most recent example of a widely lauded (though rightly criticized as well) expansive open world, it i

I just want to point out that although BOTW is perhaps the most recent example of a widely lauded (though rightly criticized as well) expansive open world, it is in no way the only or even the primary inspiration that Elden Ring draws on. Yes, it has crafting, dungeons and long vistas. But in that sense, Skyrim is equally valid. Heck, even GTA games fill most of those criteria. And if you're going for sheer quality of exploration over quantity, RDR2 for instance was a far more technically and aesthetically impressive game than BOTW. So I guess all-in-all I agree with your thesis though. Elden Ring does seem to have managed to leave the worst aspects of previous games while inviting the best ideas along for the ride. Add to that the most beautifully crafted world FROM has ever made and you have something that simply exudes GOAT.

tomnipotent 5y ago
It's not about the open world dimension, it's dropping the player into a world with little to no training. Skyrim, GTA, and RDR2 all share the same "Main Mission" mechanic that helps keep players centered on overall story progression while leaving room for side quests and exploration. This "go there, do this, go there" cycle doesn't exist in BOTW or Elden Ring.
- istorical 5y ago
  Good observation and if I may I think a great term for this is just 'sandbox' gameplay.
  - tomnipotent 5y ago
    > this is just 'sandbox' gameplay That sums it up. Enjoyment comes from core game play mechanics, not quest content. I'd be just as happy with core Street Fighter mechanics in an open world, with no-explanation filler content between boss encounters.
    - TulliusCicero 5y ago
      A lot of games genres could make for good open worlds other than FPSes/action games/action RPG's. Would love to see a Mario open world (Bowser's Fury being a sort of proto example).
      - mercer 5y ago
        I suppose Odyssey got us partway there too.
- prox 5y ago
  A game that doesn’t fit this mold yet is highly entertaining is Valheim. I haven’t dome a full review of why it’s so entertaining, but I guess it combines Open world with minecraft-esque elements in a rich mythological environment.
  - Bombthecat 5y ago
    And its easy... It not a "dark souls" or even minecraft hardness.. Its way easier. A friend of mine installed minecraft after like 5 years or even more, he was playing it like crazy back then. He died like ten times before giving up... I feel like new players have a hard time now in Minecraft because its full of "new mechanics" and monsters and traps and god knows what..
- slightwinder 5y ago
  Not sure about Elden Ring, but BOTW has also a main-mission with story progression and location-targets you are supposed to go to. It's just not forced into your face, as there is not much of a quest-tracker and flags telling you what you are supposed to do. The main-mission is just there, but you can basically forget it without any reminder.
  - tomnipotent 5y ago
    > It's just not forced into your face You can think about it as how the games fall on the hand-holding spectrum. Elden Ring and BOTW are clustered closer together on the left side of "No Guidance", and the further right you go towards "Linear" you'll see the other games. Sure there's a big gap between ER and BOTW, but it's less than between BOTW and its next peer. There's also the added dimension that Elden Ring and BOTW both share this unique quality that even random encounters can turn life-or-death, especially when running into new classes of mobs, and you have to be very patient and get absorbed into the moment or you're rewarded with death even when you're convinced you did the right thing. There's no room for quick drags of a cigarette in the middle of a fight, and instead you're rewarded with the outcome possible with incredible focus and game play experience that leaves you feeling like a superhero.

tomnipotent 5y ago

It's not about the open world dimension, it's dropping the player into a world with little to no training. Skyrim, GTA, and RDR2 all share the same "Main Mission" mechanic that helps keep players centered on overall story progression while leaving room for side quests and exploration. This "go there, do this, go there" cycle doesn't exist in BOTW or Elden Ring.

istorical 5y ago
Good observation and if I may I think a great term for this is just 'sandbox' gameplay.
- tomnipotent 5y ago
  > this is just 'sandbox' gameplay That sums it up. Enjoyment comes from core game play mechanics, not quest content. I'd be just as happy with core Street Fighter mechanics in an open world, with no-explanation filler content between boss encounters.
  - TulliusCicero 5y ago
    A lot of games genres could make for good open worlds other than FPSes/action games/action RPG's. Would love to see a Mario open world (Bowser's Fury being a sort of proto example).
    - mercer 5y ago
      I suppose Odyssey got us partway there too.
prox 5y ago
A game that doesn’t fit this mold yet is highly entertaining is Valheim. I haven’t dome a full review of why it’s so entertaining, but I guess it combines Open world with minecraft-esque elements in a rich mythological environment.
- Bombthecat 5y ago
  And its easy... It not a "dark souls" or even minecraft hardness.. Its way easier. A friend of mine installed minecraft after like 5 years or even more, he was playing it like crazy back then. He died like ten times before giving up... I feel like new players have a hard time now in Minecraft because its full of "new mechanics" and monsters and traps and god knows what..
slightwinder 5y ago
Not sure about Elden Ring, but BOTW has also a main-mission with story progression and location-targets you are supposed to go to. It's just not forced into your face, as there is not much of a quest-tracker and flags telling you what you are supposed to do. The main-mission is just there, but you can basically forget it without any reminder.
- tomnipotent 5y ago
  > It's just not forced into your face You can think about it as how the games fall on the hand-holding spectrum. Elden Ring and BOTW are clustered closer together on the left side of "No Guidance", and the further right you go towards "Linear" you'll see the other games. Sure there's a big gap between ER and BOTW, but it's less than between BOTW and its next peer. There's also the added dimension that Elden Ring and BOTW both share this unique quality that even random encounters can turn life-or-death, especially when running into new classes of mobs, and you have to be very patient and get absorbed into the moment or you're rewarded with death even when you're convinced you did the right thing. There's no room for quick drags of a cigarette in the middle of a fight, and instead you're rewarded with the outcome possible with incredible focus and game play experience that leaves you feeling like a superhero.