At the very start of Elden Ring, players with decision paralysis would already be challenged: should you take the plunge?
At the very start of Elden Ring, players with decision paralysis would already be challenged: should you take the plunge at the start of the game?
There won't be any big repercussions, either way, so you can safely decide for yourself. So, to avoid any spoilers, you can go ahead and decide for yourself if you want to take the plunge or not.
Now, if you really want to know what the difference is, we'll let you know what will happen when you take the plunge. At the start of the game, after being beaten by the first boss, a cutscene plays and you get transported into a dark cave. There's nowhere else to go to except forward, and shortly after, you will see a ghostly being on a rocking chair that you could talk to. Talking to the ghost will prompt the question. It will ask you to “take the plunge” down a pit below you. Looking down, you'd see that there are some messages left by other players on the ground, so it shouldn't be hard to realize that you could safely jump down and survive. However, offline players might not be able to see these multiplayer-only messages.
The name of the first area is called “Cave of Knowledge,” and players will rightly guess that this is the game's tutorial level. Experienced players may choose not to jump down to the pit and they'll do just fine. Jumping down the pit, however, is advisable for those new to the Souls-like genre. Jumping down will give your tutorial prompts and messages that can help you become more familiar with the game's mechanics and controls. It also introduces some concepts to you that help you understand how to play well in the game. Completing the tutorial segment of the game will grant an exclusive Gesture, a good headstart amount of runes, and some starting items.
There's one benefit, though, that even experienced players would miss if they don't take the plunge at the start of Elden Ring. That is, the new Elden Ring feature called “Guard Counter.” Guard Counter allows you to attack immediately with a powerful blow right after landing a successful block. The Guard Counter deals a lot of damage on an opponent's Super Armor, which makes them lose poise and make them exposed for a critical attack. Learning this new mechanic can help melee players have an easier time fighting bosses, as taking down a boss' Super Armor is almost a necessity to beat them.
Experienced players may stumble on this mechanic later on, but taking the plunge at the start of Elden Ring and learning this skill early on could help make progress easier in the Lands Between.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of gaming, particularly the action RPG genre, allow me to delve into the intricacies of the concepts mentioned in the article about Elden Ring. My extensive knowledge stems from both theoretical understanding and practical experience, having spent countless hours exploring virtual worlds and mastering the nuances of game mechanics.
The article revolves around the pivotal decision players face at the beginning of Elden Ring - whether to "take the plunge" or not. This decision sets the tone for the player's experience in the game, and the consequences, as explained, are not game-changing. However, my expertise allows me to shed light on the critical aspects involved in this decision-making process.
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Decision Paralysis: The term refers to the state of indecision or hesitation faced by players, a common phenomenon in open-world games with multiple paths or choices. In Elden Ring, the decision paralysis is introduced right at the start, prompting players to question whether they should take a leap of faith or not.
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Cave of Knowledge: This is the name of the first area in Elden Ring, described as the game's tutorial level. As an expert, I can affirm that such introductory segments are crucial for both novice and experienced players. The article suggests that experienced players may opt not to jump into the pit, but for newcomers, this serves as a valuable tutorial.
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Messages from Players: The ground below the pit contains messages left by other players, a nod to the game's asynchronous multiplayer features. This mechanic, often found in FromSoftware titles, allows players to communicate through cryptic messages that can provide hints, warnings, or tips.
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Guard Counter: A major highlight introduced by taking the plunge is the "Guard Counter" feature. This mechanic allows players to execute a powerful blow immediately after a successful block. Understanding this concept early in the game is emphasized as it can be a game-changer, especially when facing formidable bosses. The Guard Counter's effectiveness lies in breaking an opponent's Super Armor, leaving them vulnerable to critical attacks.
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Learning Curve and Progression: The article stresses that learning the Guard Counter early on can significantly ease the progress in the Lands Between. This aligns with the typical learning curve in Souls-like games, where mastering key mechanics early on facilitates a smoother journey through challenging landscapes.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of the gaming landscape allows me to not only dissect the concepts presented in the article but also provide insights into their broader implications within the gaming community. The decision-making dynamics, tutorial aspects, multiplayer elements, and nuanced game mechanics discussed in relation to Elden Ring showcase the depth and complexity that players can expect from this highly anticipated title.
