Summary
Elden Ringdoes a lot to shake up the formula of the games that came before it, while still feeling like a true successor to From Software’s beloved franchises. However, even with this in mind,Elden Ringleaves behind many features from its predecessors that may yet be worth reviving for future updates toElden Ring.
Specifically, onefeature thatElden Ringcould use fromDark Souls 3is the Hollow progression system.Elden Ring’s Dragon Communion feature is fairly similar to the secret Hollow system fromDark Souls 3, but there are a couple of key differences that set these two features apart from each other. Consequently, future updates fromElden Ringshould consider either reintroducing a Hollow progression system or expanding upon the game’s existing Dragon Communion feature.
Dark Souls 3’s Hollow System Explained
Immediately after defeating Vordt of the Boreal Valley, one of the first fewmajor bosses inDark Souls 3, players will be able to travel to the Undead Settlement where an NPC can be found on a hidden path. This NPC, Yoel of Londor, will essentially allow players to earn up to five free level-ups, whereas these would normally need to be purchased with increasing amounts of Souls. That said, participating in this progression system to shortcut character levels inDark Souls 3isn’t without consequences.
Upon agreeing to accept Yoel’s services, the player’s character will be inflicted with the Hollowing stat. One of the consequences of becoming Hollow is that this stat will increase every time the player dies, up to a max of 99. Increasing this stat is a requirement to receive all five of the ‘free’ character levels, but only 15 Hollowing is required to receive all five levels this way.
At 15 or more Hollowing, players can also take part in the necessary NPC questlines to obtain Dark Sigils, which will give players access to a new ending forDark Souls 3. This unique ending is considered one of the ‘bad’endings forDark Souls 3, and rightfully so. Not only do players have to participate in a forbidden magic to achieve this ending, but it also leaves the game’s universe in the hands of sinister figures.
Players can remove their Hollowing status inDark Souls 3, but this will require repaying for the character levels earned through Hollowing, and it can potentially lock players out of certain questlines and endings.
How Elden Ring’s Dragon Communion Can Become More Like Dark Souls 3’s Hollowed System
Dragon Communion is already a similar system toDark Souls 3’s Hollowing, where players tap into new strengths through forbidden rituals, but the key difference is that there are no substantial consequences for Dragon Communion. According toElden Ring’s dragon lore, partaking in Dragon Communion is a curse that will eventually transform humans into Wyrms, and while players can encounter some of these very enemies inElden Ring, players will never face these consequences themselves.
Consequently, it can feel anticlimactic that players never face any form of consequences for participating in Dragon Communion, soElden Ringshould consider revisiting this with a proper conclusion.
For a while, parts of theDark Souls 3community believed that players would take increasing amounts of damage from certain enemies and Elemental damage types based on the player’s Hollowed stat. This has long since been proven to be a false rumor, but admittedly, it could still make for an interesting consequence forElden Ring’s Dragon Communion, if not a subtle throwback reference. Otherwise,Elden Ringshould consider following directly inDark Souls 3’s footsteps by introducing newendings forElden Ringexclusively for players who partake in Dragon Communion.
Elden Ring
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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.
