A truly robust mod for Elden Ring adds a plethora of new features including the gun parry mechanic from Bloodborne, cosmetic horse skins and more. Borrowing mechanics and ideas from FromSoftware's previous titles, the open-world fantasy game expands the soulslike genre to an unprecedented scale. There are many similarities between Elden Ring and Bloodborne gameplay, but a talented modder has made the two titles virtually indistinguishable.
At first glance, Elden Ring and Bloodborne appear to be dramatically different experiences despite sharing a developer. Released in 2015, FromSoftware's gothic horror RPG Bloodborne sees players battle horrific monsters and cosmic beings using speed, Trick Weapons and old-school firearms. The developer's latest release, meanwhile, is a fantasy epic called Elden Ring where players explore an open world to earn the title of Elden Lord. Elden Ring and Bloodborne do share many qualities, in reality, including otherworldy bosses and a dreamlike safe hub for players to rest. Equipping Malenia's Great Rune even lets players activate a secret Bloodborne mode in Elden Ring which regenerates health through aggressive counterattacks.
A huge Elden Ring mod, created by modder and YouTuber Garden of Eyes (via Eurogamer), adds a host of new content to FromSoftware's open-world RPG. Perhaps the most notable addition is a fully-functional Bloodborne parry system, which lets players stun and counterattack enemies by shooting them. The Garden of Eyes mod will eventually include many guns and bullets, though only one type of each is currently available. The Elden Ring mod will also add in-game horse skins, with new whistles summoning the Draconic Tree Sentinel and Nights Cavalry horses instead of Torrent. Finally, new weapons like Miquella's twin blade will be added alongside remastered versions of old weapons. Elden Ring fans can download the mod now via the Garden of Eyes Patreon page, though the project is still in progress.
Many fans are looking forward to Elden Ring DLC, but FromSoftware has yet to announce any definite plans for future content. Leaks suggest that an expansion will involve the three coliseums currently present throughout the Lands Between, which could possibly serve as PvP arenas. In the meantime, fan-made mods add wildly original content to Elden Ring and give players new ways to experience the Lands Between. With the Garden of Eyes mod, players will also get to relive Bloodborne by deftly parrying foes and performing visceral counterattacks.
By overhauling old weapons and adding new combat tools, the Garden of Eyes mod will dramatically change Elden Ring's gameplay. By introducing the Bloodborne parry mechanic, the mod can allow for much more aggressive playstyles from Tarnished players. Horse skins are also a unique and welcome feature which will increase the role-play opportunities in the open-world FromSoftware opus.
Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Sources: Eurogamer, Garden of Eyes/YouTube, Garden of Eyes/Patreon