A Gamefa review suggests that the initial difficulty of Elden Ring is often amplified by a lack of information. Once players become familiar with the map and combat patterns, they may progress more smoothly even without significant stat improvements. However, the author does not believe that all challenge designs are flawless.
The review begins with Malenia and Starscourge Radahn from Elden Ring, acknowledging that these bosses cause many players to fail repeatedly. Stamina consumption, high enemy damage, and the distance between safe points and the boss also increase the pressure of the initial challenge.
Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring also require players to risk retrieving resources after death, which are crucial for leveling up and purchasing equipment. The author believes that during the first playthrough, not knowing enemy positions and attack patterns, being unfamiliar with traps and shortcuts, and lacking mastery over timing for attacks, dodges, or retreats can easily lead players to mistake the pressure caused by lack of information for mere difficulty.
Using Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice as an example, the review highlights the importance of learning parry timing. In Elden Ring, players can also temporarily take a different path, adjust their equipment, and return to face the challenge later. Based on this, the author argues that many levels offer learnable and adjustable strategies.
However, learning cannot eliminate all issues. The author points out that poor camera angles, hard-to-read moves, long return routes, and some unbalanced encounters can still make the challenge process exhausting.