Difficulty is always a topic of discussion whenever a new FromSoftware game comes out, and Elden Ring is no different. The Japanese developer has built a reputation on their harrowing games, creating enemies and bosses that require players fail in order to learn. The marketing for Dark Souls leaned heavily into this notion with its "prepare to die" mantra that has permeated FromSoftware's releases ever since. Fans of FromSoftware games will defend the notorious difficulties vehemently, while some see no reason for the experiences to be so punishing and inaccessible.

It's a difficult subject to broach because there's an argument to be made for both sides. Accessibility in gaming is more important now than ever. There's a major push for gaming to be inclusive, so that everyone can enjoy the hobby. The Last of Us Part II's accessibility was praised for its incredible amount of options, even winning the first ever Innovation in Accessibility Award at The Game Awards. However, the unforgiving nature of FromSoftware games like Elden Ring is part of the game's very identity. Adding in an easier difficulty isn't the answer, because that can fundamentally change the intended experience.

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It seems that every time a new FromSoftware game releases, a discussion on the necessity of an easy mode begins. Elden Ring is poised to allow more player freedom than any of its predecessors, and its open world's design combined with some new gameplay features are providing an ingenious solution to the difficulty problem. Frontline's translation of an interview Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki did with Famitsu sheds some light on how Elden Ring will be more accessible without compromising difficult game design.

Elden Ring's Optional Bosses & Spirits Will Bring Accessibility

Elden Ring Gameplay Reveal Trailer Multiplayer Summon

Perhaps the biggest selling point for Elden Ring thus far has been its open world. It will deliver unprecedented scale to the trademark FromSoftware formula, but will also allow those having a hard time a more streamlined route to the finish line. Miyazaki told Famitsu that Elden Ring actually has relatively few bosses that are required to finish the game. Part of giving players the freedom to explore in Elden Ring was ensuring that progress is not gated by fights that might prove too difficult. Elden Ring is confirmed to have six major areas that can be explored in any order, and it sounds like most of the bosses will have to be sought out, meaning players having a tough time can simply ignore some of the more punishing fights.

The required bosses will probably be difficult, but Elden Ring will provide players a solution to that too - one that's an evolution on features from previous games designed to ease the difficulty. In previous titles, both player and NPC phantoms could be summoned for co-op. This same system comes in the form of spirits for Elden Ring's multiplayer, and the NPC variants appear to be more easily accessible. Miyazaki describes them almost as an item to be equipped, and even upgraded like weapons and armor. Players will be able to collect spirits of defeated enemies, and can summon them at specific locations.

FromSoftware games have always tried to take a "tough, but fair" approach to difficulty, which means the solution to players struggling is often to give them more tools. For many, the co-op system is often the key to progressing past difficult bosses in FromSoftware games, and Elden Ring appears to be giving players more options to deal with this than ever before.

Next: Elden Ring: All Gameplay Details Revealed In The New Trailer