We got hands-on with the Elden Ring closed network test, and it felt both familiar and different in an exciting way.
Of all the things I expected from Elden Ring, a sense of serenity wasn’t one of them. Whether you’ve played From Software’s games or are simply aware of them, you likely have an idea of what they offer: doomed kingdoms, tragic characters, a pervasive sense of melancholy, and gameplay that will challenge both your skill and your resolve. And yet, what defined my seven hours of hands-on time with the Elden Ring closed network test was what many would consider uncharacteristic of a Soulsborne game: tranquility.
As much of a surprise as that was, it’s not something that’s completely uncommon in these games. Whether it’s the Nexus, Firelink Shrine, Hunter’s Dream, or the Dilapidated Temple, each FromSoft title has a place where adventurers can find respite from the cruelty of the world beyond. These places have a sympathetic quality to them, somehow being ab