FromSoftware's recently released Elden Ring is an exciting new world brimming with vast landscapes, large-scale boss battles, dreary dungeons, and dangerous foes around every corner.
Elden Ring’s dedication to peril consequently leaves only a few moments of respite for players exploring the land. With danger everywhere, it can be easy for players to miss the incredible beauty surrounding them. There are a few places to check out that provide a jaw-dropping view or a scenic location to sit back and forget the fears of constant danger.
Jarburg
Located at the base of a cliff, just south of the Carian Study Hall in Liurnia of the Lakes, is a small village inhabited by a pack of living jars. These jars are similar to Alexander, the talking jar, who gives players one of the best side quests.
The living jars pose no active threat to players as they are non-hostile NPCs. However, if provoked or stolen from, they will fight back. Jarburg is a quiet location hidden from the battles across the land, so players can roam the village roads observing the living jars while feeling safe enough to let their guards down.
Academy Of Raya Lucaria
Located in Liurnia of the Lakes, this legacy dungeon is one location players will not want to miss. Once they have acquired the Academy Glintstone Key and fought to the main gate, they will not be disappointed by the incredible view awaiting them.
Though the Academy of Raya Lucaria is a large-scale castle packed with dangerous monsters, the sheer beauty of this location makes it a beautiful spot to take a breather. With its classic gothic architecture and mysterious rays of blue light, the castle feels akin to the magnitude of Hogwarts from Harry Potter. Players will be entranced by the beauty and forced to take a much-needed break before journeying inside.
Nokron, Eternal City
After defeating one of the hardest bosses, Starscourge Radahn, a star will fall from the sky and crash land in the southern regions of Mistwood. Players will have to find the specific point of impact and travel down a large hole left by the fallen star to reach Nokron, Eternal City.
Nokron is home to a few troublesome NPCs and a couple of tough boss fights. However, past the danger is the stunning beauty of the underground. Like the Siofra River, Nokron is consumed by glowing vegetation, gothic architecture, and a sky filled with soothing colors and twinkling lights. Players are sure to stop and soak up the incredible beauty of the land.
The First Step
After players have exited the Stranded Graveyard at the beginning of the game, they will come to The First Step Site of Grace. This Site of Grace is home to a spectacular view worthy of a kickback for players hoping to soak in the new land.
The rolling hills of Limgrave surround the opening area, and in the far distance is a gorgeous look at the first major boss area, Stormveil Castle. With the power of next-gen graphics, Elden Ring's opening view is breathtaking, but still, players often miss it in eager anticipation to start fighting.
Volcano Manor
Located at the top of Mt. Gelmir, Volcano Manor is a legacy dungeon known for keeping its secrets behind locked doors. When players first arrive at the Volcano Manor, NPCs will prompt them to complete a series of quests to open the locked doors of the dungeon.
Initially, the Volcano Manor functions like the Roundtable Hold, in that players will not have access to their attack controls, making it a safe zone and a collective sigh of relief for tarnished who need a rest from battle. With a dark and fiery aesthetic and a few interactive NPCs, the Volcano Manor is a great place for players to relax in the dismal aesthetic of Elden Ring.
Roundtable Hold
In the early game, after traveling to the base of Stormveil Castle, players will encounter Melina yet again. This time, instead of gifting players with important items, she will take players to their home away from home where the tarnished gather to rest, the Roundtable Hold.
The Roundtable Hold is only accessible by fast travel and therefore intrinsically separates itself from the peril of the world as it exists outside of it. In fact, besides a few designated areas, players can't even access their attack controls. The Hold is full of NPCs dedicated to upgrading one's stats like spirit tuning and weapon strengthening and is sure to be a frequent spot for players looking to relax.
Miquella's Haligtree
To access this legacy dungeon, players will need both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and the strength to make it north of the Consecrated Snowfields.
Miquella's Haligtree is dangerous yet beautiful as players walk along the branches of a rotting tree fighting to its roots. An ever-present fog outlines the dungeon and provides a serene backdrop to the epic combat. The vegetation throughout the dungeon is hauntingly beautiful and begs players to stop and observe the world.
Liurnia Highway South
North of Stormveil castle is a Site of Grace that can be reached early on in the game and quickly after defeating Godrick, the Grafted. Liurnia Highway is a peaceful location great for sightseeing the vast land.
The Site of Grace's surrounding area is a wide-open space with a low enemy NPC count, so players are free to explore without the fear of losing hard-earned Runes. The area overlooks Liurnia of the Lakes and provides an exceptional view of the land.
The Lake Of Rot
Spawning numerous memes about its difficulty, this location is dangerous. If players contract Scarlet Rot, they will need to cure themselves or suffer the consequences of death. However, if players stay on the shore, they'll stay safe and look out over one of the game's most beautiful locations.
The Lake of Rot is a large body of shallow water that glows red with the dangerous but illuminating Scarlet Rot. A mist rises off the lake, making for a breathtaking addition to the water. The lake's shore only holds a few enemy NPCs, so players can stay safe from Scarlet Rot and rest easy.
Nokstella, Eternal City
Nokstella, Eternal City is another awe-inspiring location in the Ainsel River Main, west of the Uhl Palace Ruins. Similar to Nokron, the city is underground and difficult to reach unless specific quest lines have been completed.
Nokstella, similar to the Siofra River, is splattered with fauna and glowing vegetation that outline the castle walls. The sky has a spectacular display of lights in the sky that illuminate the surrounding area. This location does not have a boss fight and only a few varying NPCs, making it an ideal setting for players to pause and appreciate the land around them.