Summary
Elden Ringis an enormous beast rich with all the subtle lore and intricate world-building FromSoftware is known for, only it’s now spread throughout an interconnected open world with lands seamlessly transitioning into each other. This is an incredibly impressive feat as FromSoftware’s first Soulslike to adapt its traditionally linear formula into an open world, especially considering how diverse theLands Between’s biomes are between Limgrave, Liurnia, and Caelidalone. That said, extrapolating this formula into an open world wasn’t without its sacrifices.
It’s quite astonishing how FromSoftware managed to preserve its most familiar Soulslike features inElden Ringrather than have to redesign every aspect of it to meet the needs of an open world. There are even more shortcuts now as a result of how non-linear and sweeping its environments are; enemy mobs can still ambush players; sites of grace are still frequented as bonfire checkpoints with fast travel warping; and bosses still obstruct progression to newer areas. However, whatever the reason, it’s a shame that covenants weren’t adapted for all the myriad factions and figures that could’ve represented them in the farthest-reaching corners ofElden Ring.
FromSoftware’s Covenants and Oaths Make for Wonderful Side Content
Covenants aren’t too convoluted or indiscernible once players learn about them, but most if not all of that knowledge typically comes from shared lore and information players learn from one another, rather than what FromSoftware teaches players about these covenants in each game. In fact, without any guidance at all it’d be virtually impossible to comprehend what players could gain by offering particular items to covenant NPCs, let alone if there’s any reward at all.
Manycovenants pertain solely to PvP purposesand therefore casual PvE players will likely not be interested in devoting any time or resources toward those efforts.
Still, players are bound to come across a handful of NPCs who are glad to invite them freely to their covenant in anyleisurely playthrough ofDark Souls,Dark Souls 2, orDark Souls 3.Bloodbornetechnically has covenants as well that affect PvP and PvE alike, though they are primarily designed around factions and associated with the passive effects of oath runes:
Covenants are phenomenal as they sprinkle in that little bit of supplementary lore through NPC interaction that FromSoftware has always been terrific at expressing in its world-building. Plus, for anyone who knows a fruitful reward awaits them after enough covenant-specific items are turned in or anyone who adores PvP adventures with a sense of belonging, covenants provide that and more. That’s why it was a bit of a letdown thatElden Ringdidn’t have its own covenants to pursue and hop back and forth between, though maybeElden Ring’s successor could.
Covenants Deserve a Place in an Open-World FromSoftware Soulslike
FromSoftware washed its hands clean of covenants inElden Ring, at least in their traditional sense, even though the same formula could’ve been implemented in its open world. Seeing covenants spread across the Lands Between would’ve been stunning, especially in each biome, but perhaps FromSoftware decided to cut them or not center its attention on them with such a huge undertaking already asElden Ringwas staggering in its epic scale. Maybe now that FromSoftware has accomplished developing an open-world Soulslike it could extrapolate on its systems and include covenants via a sequel.
Considering how FromSoftware has danced around developing a Soulslike sequel almost exclusively, there’sa low likelihood thatElden Ring’s follow-up will beElden Ring 2. But whether FromSoftware followsElden Ringwith a direct sequel or not, and regardless of whether it’s an open-world game or not, reprising covenants seems like a return to form that would help it excel.
Elden Ring
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
