Summer is here. The heat in Florida reminds me; the humidity and the bugs it attracts, followed by the ever comforting rain when it arrives to wash it all away. My Deflect Counter video series approaches its end on my Youtube channel. It gives me a personal closure to the story of Elden Ring. I understood its advantages and shortcomings while also realizing something important about me as an RPG gamer — my play style.
A common critique in the Souls community is that if you didn’t beat a boss in a certain way, you’re not skilled. Many Souls vets overlook that newcomers typically come from 2-4 different genres. One is fast-paced action like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and Yakuza. The other is turn-based RPGs, often Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, or Persona/SMT. A mixed group includes fans of the Tales Of series. Don’t forget the fighting game fans.
The best way for me to describe my style to others, in NightReign terms, is a combination of Wylder and Revenant with a sprinkle of Raider. I don’t care to have a 5-6 minute spectacle with a boss. I’m interested in crushing a boss as realistically fast as possible and making them bow to me by any means…while having mobile poise.
This is rooted in the sense of urgency experienced in fighting games. This is specifically when facing final bosses where you have one round and 99 seconds. You make every move count and for me, I’m very offense-based. I also enjoy using summons in games like Persona and Final Fantasy. I like moving fast as possible like in Devil May Cry. I enjoy the weakness exploitation of Mega Man. Elden Ring offers a combination of most of these.
If Miyazaki’s next major game were to come with these features, along with the urgent speed of NightReign, tossing in armor upgrades ala Dark Souls 2 along with introducing the possibility of a genuine happy ending, you’d likely have something that’s next level. Cross-play would be welcome, as well as color customizing your armor set; a feature the latest Lords of the Fallen introduced.
I’ve enjoyed how I’ve beaten some bosses with simple one on one. A buff here and a good weapon there and I could take quite some bosses down. Other bosses have required me to do range but because I don’t like to rely heavily on range, have the right weapon handy to bonk em dry. When using a Spirit Ash, I prefer to use one that are fitting because of lore. The Deflect Counter has been one where I used Mimic Tear the least. I can literally count on one hand where Mimic Tear made an appearance. This is due to realizing that Mimic would’ve made some fights too fast and easy. I’d almost argue the same with Tiche. Eventually I faced some bosses where Tiche or Mimic would be required to fit that 99 second crunch. Come Promised Consort Radahn? No matter which approach, for me, would always be a long one to push my stamina and endurance to survive.
Alas, it’s a farewell for Elden Ring and resuming Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin. In the meantime, more art editing for FireFrei; I have a new volume to put out before I begin new writing and October is getting closer.
Until next time, 322 Crew.
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