I've said it here, and I'll say it again: No FromSoftware game has gotten me this hyped before.
And I'm usually really weary about getting hyped. I remember managing to keep my expectations down to the lowest possible for Cyberpunk, and when it came out, despite all the shortcomings, I still managed to have fun there and find a unique and interesting world to explore, one filled with problems that with patch after patch were ironed out and now is always on top seller lists during sales.
But it was different with Elden Ring, I cannot overstate how much I love the Souls series.
I had never played something so challenging yet fair, something with so much lore that doesn't care much about exposition, something that just felt right - something that to me was what games should be.
And even when the formula was changed a little for Bloodborne, I got excited, it looks like an incredible game and if I ever get my hands on a PS4 or 5, it's going to be my most played title.
Sekiro focused a lot on exposition, it was a lot less open-ended, but still felt incredible. The story was well written and the gameplay is just
AAAAAAAA it's phenomenal.
Then they come out with Elden Ring, and I'm like: "Hmm, I doubt they can surprise me this time."
They did, they sure did.
My reaction was something alike:
Okay, things are getting even better this time on the combat front, something I like getting even better...
Ok, nothing to do with Souls, which is good. Souls has had its time... WAIT, GEORGE R. R. MARTIN?
Ok ok ok... This is probably not going to be bad at all.
... explore?
You mean... No more linearity? I can just... Go where I want and find stuff? Classic Zelda style?
So YOU'RE MARRYING ZELDA 1 WITH DARK SOULS?
Yeah, that was me.
I couldn't just take that and not be excited, it's impossible. It's incredible.
And compounding all that open-endedness, the character customization, classes and everything else just seems way too diverse, in a perfect way. I can play as whatever I want to play, and that's just... Incredible.
Then the game came out. I saw a bunch of videos being recommended to me about, popular Brazilian livestreamers like Alanzoka playing it, IGN reviews, etc etc... I ignored it all. I wanted this to be fresh for me... But that price though...
I'm just ignoring the Deluxe Edition entirely, it's out of my reach. That's a quarter of a minimum monthly wage in Brazil... But the normal edition is common triple A pricing here (around 40-50USD, yeah, we get things cheaper). But it's still quite a bit much for my broke ass, suddenly all my hype was being tested.
"Should I really go for it? Why not sail the seven seas?"
Those thoughts immediately went away as I started watching clips and short videos about the game, I'm enthralled.
You can call me an idiot, a CONSOOMER.
But I know I'm just a fan, someone who loves this shit way too much and who knows they're gonna get their ass handed to them as soon as they launch the game.
But that's part of the experience, it's what I've come to expect from Miyazaki, it's what I love. It's that learning, that overcoming, that dopamine.
And for once in a lifetime, I think the review don't lie.
It's weird, usually I don't trust these guys, but it's so unanimous not only on their side, but also on independent reviewers that I trust, and my close friends that have gotten their hands on the game say nothing but positive things about it.
So screw it.
I don't have that money right now. I mean, I could sell my HIVE, but I'm not going to.
I'm going to save up, I'm going to make this my goal.
Recently had to pause my job due to anxiety and other mental health complications, some really serious; but a side gig here and a freelance translation there... Yeah, I'll get there.
There's finally a game out there that manages to excited me this much. To get this primal child-like feeling of wonder and amazement. It's like the first time you see a next-gen console as a kid, or you see a game you can't afford at a friend's house.
It's so incredible.
Yeah, I'm buying this one... I'm sorry dear wallet.
