The review embargo for FromSoftware's highly anticipated Elden Ring has just lifted and already it is the highest-rated video game on OpenCritic. The aggregate review website pulls review scores from popular gaming outlets and compiles them into an all-time list-- a list that was previously topped by Nintendo's Super Mario Odyssey.
For many in the gaming community, Elden Ring was the most-anticipated release since Cyberpunk 2077. Elden Ring had plenty going for it in the marketing department; for one thing, it was coming out of renowned Japanese gaming studio FromSoftware, the creators of beloved games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, which has a lot in common with Elden Ring. On top of that, the lore and world of the game were being developed in collaboration with George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame. FromSoftware's legacy, the prestige of a best-selling fantasy author, and the promise of a vast, one-of-a-kind open world to explore stirred up no small amount of hype in the years and months leading up to this week.
It would appear that this trust was not ill-placed, if the most recent OpenCritic rankings are to be considered. A Tweet from the OpenCritic Twitter account brought to light the fact that Elden Ring, just days before its release, has surpassed games like Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild for the highest-reviewed game by critics. On OpenCritic's scale of 100, Elden Ring is currently sitting at above a 97.
When paired with Elden Ring's extremely high Metacritic score, it's clear that this game is FromSoftware's most well-received yet and an obvious contender for Game of the Year. Some fans may have had concerns about FromSoftware's shift into the scene of open-world gaming, as that subgenre has become all but oversaturated in the industry. However, FromSoftware has been shaking up its formula for a while now; games like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice turned the dial up on the speed and intensity found in the Dark Souls games, adding new movement mechanics, features, and aesthetics, all to their benefit. So, the changes made in Elden Ring have likely followed that same pattern of successful experimentation.
Anyone who follows gaming news needs no reminder of how often hype can lead to disappointment. Oftentimes, even good games get slammed by players because they couldn't live up to impossibly high expectations. While gamers should keep this in mind before uncovering Elden Ring's many mysteries, there is good reason to believe that this title will be delivering on its lofty promises.
Elden Ring will be coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC on February 25th, 2022.
Source: OpenCritic/Twitter