Revisiting Elden Ring’s Opening: Why Its First Hour Remains Essential

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You can always find the right moment to revisit Elden Ring. This multi-award-winning open-world action RPG from FromSoftware showcases the essence of a contemporary masterpiece, featuring a world that’s both perilous and stunningly beautiful.

Ever since its release, I’ve played Elden Ring three times over and managed to achieve 100% completion on all aspects. After wrapping up the PS4 edition, a friend generously offered me a copy for PC via Steam. Later, another friend surprised me with the PlayStation 5 version. Each playthrough has been as captivating as the previous one. The game’s potent opening scenes consistently drew me back in every time.

Has Elden Ring’s Intro aged?

In my opinion, the introductory scene in Elden Ring is a benchmark for FromSoftware’s opening sequences. After we create our character, whether it’s a character resembling the aged Squidward Tentacles or a likeness of Berserk’s Guts, the captivating intro commences. The first time I witnessed it left an indelible impression on me. It managed to convey both the mysterious and the awe-inspiring perfectly. Despite having no idea what lay ahead, I knew that this was a Soulslike game, and it was ready to challenge me.

Originally, The Lands Between were a picture of peace, teeming with thrones and noble figures. However, disaster struck when Marika shattered the Elden Ring. The narrative’s voiceover establishes an immediate sense of grandeur and epic scale, hinting that we’re delving into something remarkable.

This whole world feels like it’s destined for us, the Tarnished.

Did Elden Ring’s Tutorial Work?

The tutorial in Elden Ring combines gravity and wit, and it remains effective even now. Upon arriving at the game’s initial church, we are met by a deceased maiden. Advancing cautiously, we soon find ourselves facing our first ‘boss’, although it might as well be a death sentence. Given my experience with the Souls series, I recognized the situation and accepted my impending fate.

That first YOU DIED became one of many to come.

Who was Elden Ring’s first boss?

In our initial encounter after bonding with Melina and Torrent, we find ourselves stirring under a tomb. This serves as our genuine tutorial, where we grasp the functions of each button. Following the elimination of some common adversaries, we encounter the true first boss of Elden Ring: the Soldier of Godrick.

This individual, deeply devoted to Godrick the Grafted, charged forward fearlessly, sword at the ready, determined to vanquish the Tarnished. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t anticipate my Glintstone Pebbles. With a swift move, he was toppled over. The scene was quite amusing, reminiscent of the unexpected outcome in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor with Rick the Technician.

Has Limgrave Changed since 2025?

2025 found Limgrave much as it always was, brimming with magic. Climbing an extended lift, we finally arrived at an awe-inspiring gate. As soon as I pushed it open, I could sense something extraordinary awaited me. The name Limgrave flashed up on the screen, and the Erdtree stood proudly in the horizon. I was clueless about where to head, but the game thoughtfully marked notable landmarks for easy navigation.

My adventure started in earnest, with the background music setting the tone and Varre’s unique, unsympathetic comment adding fuel to the fire. The world drew me in instantly, captivating my full attention. It was a peculiar kind of discomfort: tormenting, enigmatic, intermittently humorous, and fascinating, all within the first hour itself.

Following my exploration from atop the Erdtree, I eventually navigated towards the closest notable location… whereupon I stumbled upon an imposing figure mounted on a steed.

And oh. I’m going to be here for a long time, aren’t I?

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2025-05-26 11:43