Elden Ring - Blind Playthrough #58: Miquella’s Haligtree (Haligtree Canopy to Haligtree Promenade)

[@Aegon_of_Astora]

Hi, friends! FYI: this will likely be the last Wednesday episode of the series, as I’m still working on a script for episode 64, in which I’m going to present my preliminary analysis of the lore and address some viewer comments. The script is taking some time to write, as I’ve a lot of ideas to work through, and life has been hectic of late so I’ve not had a ton of time to work on the script. This means that there will likely be a gap between episode 63, in which we complete NG, and episode 64, in which we explore my interpretation of the story before progressing to NG+. Likewise, the NG+ portion of the playthrough will take some time to put together, so expect a delay between episode 64 and the rest of the playthrough. Having said all that, here’s the release schedule for the episodes that are complete: - September 23: Episode 59 (Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree) - September 30: Episode 60 (Mohgwyn Palace) - October 7: Episode 61 (Giants' Mountaintops III) - October 14: Episode 62 (Crumbling Farum Azula) - October 21: Episode 63 (Leyndell, Capital of Ash) - Episode 64, "Runes and Material-Discursive Relationality in Elden Ring", will be released as soon as it's done, and then I'll take another break to build up a stockpile of NG+ episodes. Thanks for sticking with this series for almost an entire year! I hope you enjoy the end of my NG journey. Take care!

[@TheRealFacemanguy]

Holy cow I’m excited! Good job aegon and take your time and don’t overwork yourself we can be patient.

[@Trimmbot]

Thanks for everything Aegon! Excited for the rest of the play-through and especially episode 64!

[@wakashirimi9762]

I can't believe we're so close to the end! Watching your playthrough every week has been a regular part of my routine and I'll be sad to see it start to wrap up. I appreciate all the work and thought you put into this series, and just wanted to take a moment to appreciate it. While I'm bittersweet about it wrapping up, in excited to see your thoughts about the game and the ending. Looking forward to it, and thanks Aegon!

[@joshk494]

Varre gave you another item along with the reusable bloody finger. You read its description but either didn't notice you could "use" it or listened to Varre when he told you to wait because it wasn't time yet for Mohg to ascend.

[@andrewokeefe3315]

I find it really interesting that “people want [you] to experiment more” with weapon arts etc. Often, the case is that people want to see their own playstyles and individual choices reflected back at them through another’s playthrough. It’s less a question of experimentation, feeling instead like people are saying “play this game the same way I do”. One of the greatest appeals to me of Fromsoft’s games is that they permit a litany of approaches and that no two players’ experiences are entirely alike. I understand that impulse towards homogeneity. Reminds me of a Bloodborne quote; “let us partake in communion”. We have a natural drive towards recognising ourselves in others and sharing this human experience. But to me, what I gravitate to in your playthroughs is another shared experience: that of bewilderment, surprise, fear and joy arising in unexpected places. With an optimised build and perfect foreknowledge we can share a more homogenous but arguably shallower understanding of this game. I really enjoy your singular, meticulous approach to gameplay; your attention to lore, and the theories you develop from this game’s environmental storytelling; the ways in which you are spontaneous, and the ways in which you are inflexible. My playstyle is more adventurous but considerably more careless than yours. And my understanding of lore is much more “broad strokes”, so I find the intricacies of your understanding fascinating. It provides a more stable foundation for my intuitive understanding of the game’s themes. This borders on the parasocial, but I enjoy reliving-through your playthroughs-the careful unravelling of story that Fromsoft create, and I love the opportunity to vicariously relive my own feelings using these videos as a conduit. Our differences are our beauties. The landscape of “let’s play” on KZbin can feel dominated by entertainers who play, literally, to their audience. By contrast Aegon you are fiercely individualistic; authentic. You commit to engaging with the text in a way which feels generous and unpatronising. I know many have said similar things, but it bears repeating: you have been generous with your time and efforts and it is greatly appreciated! And to paraphrase an internet sage: I hope you are having a fantastic day whenever it is you find yourself reading this EDIT: and as a coffee enthusiast I can unreservedly recommend Chemex. It is unfortunately a tad wasteful as it uses very thick filter paper. But given time, care and attention I feel like it is the method of home brewing coffee which gives the best results at reasonable cost 🙂

[@Aegon_of_Astora]

This made my day. Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@Tarcon_Vaagh_69]

it's pretty sadge you stopped doing Millicent questline. obviously one of the best

[@UncleFenris]

Huzzah for the Haligtree! Such an incredibly hostile place that belies a sort of calm respite for the many persecuted people throughout the Lands Between. As always, looking forward to the weeks to come! And I'm especially looking forward to episode 64!

[@Kid_Naps]

What a treat, Aegon! Watching you play this fantastic game throughout the entire year has been an enjoyable experience. Even though I sometimes mockingly comment on your oversights, I still appreciate watching you play. You are a huge exception for me because I don't typically watch hours-long streams of people just playing games. You consistently share interesting ideas, theories, and tidbits (I even enjoy your dad jokes; you have all the rights now), and you don't scream or yell for attention. Considering how low the overall viewership is, I must applaud your dedication to the community and the people who come here to watch you have fun. I hope you had/have fun playing the game up to this day and are looking forward to the DLC. The community believes that, similar to Elden Ring itself, it is going to be huge, comparable in scope to the previous games. Cheers!

[@SW-yn3di]

This series has been fantastic, Aegon. I can’t believe we’re into the final 5 episodes of NG!

[@joylin5422]

Aegon, I don't remember which episode it was but you mentioned that you were interested in playing a game in which you feel like you are part of an ecosystem that you can influence. I strongly recommend looking into the game Rain World for this. It's not exactly what you're looking for but one of the main goals of the developers was to create a "simulated ecosystem" that the player is just one small part of. The player is only able to exert limited influence on the ecosystem (some changes can be made based on the food they eat and the creatures they kill), but the ecosystem itself is worth seeing. Beyond that I think that it also contains one of the best displays of ludonarrative consistency, or harmony, I've ever seen. Once the player finds what their "end goal" is the feelings evoked by the gameplay, journey, and narrative come together beautifully. Cheers!

[@Kid_Naps]

A great recommendation! Rain World is an experience.

[@sablemae8853]

Rolling so much in the loretta fight i thought you were a lightning ram😂

[@TheRealFacemanguy]

The statues near the sight of grace i think is Melenia and Miquella. The larger figure is missing an arm and it is said Miquella is a child.

[@Fromaginator]

I got my learner's permit in January of 2020, due to covid considerations I didn't get my "new" driver license (no driving between 12-5am, 0 bac) until June 2021, I just updated to "restricted" license in July 2023 (0 bac only), and in July 2025 I'll be able to get my full license. I found it funny I got my optometry license before my drivers license

[@painfuldiscourse5231]

Almost there!

[@killervic7379]

Ahoy

[@bludgeon1081]

Chips Ahoy

[@sablemae8853]

Theres so many things i would love to comment but dont to respect the blind pt. It is hard to sometimes but id hate to ruin something.

[@808brian5]

God love you, Aegon, but I sometimes just don't understand how your brain works. "I have no idea how we're supposed to get into that one building." *Tried jumping from one spot that he suspected wouldn't work, but never ever considered trying to jump from the spot *right across* from the open door. That being said, just keep being you, Aegon. And don't give a second thought to people like me who post these comments wondering why you don't think like them. You think like you, and that is all you ever need to do.

[@TheRealFacemanguy]

I think the lack of sleep and that he has to play in small chunks spread out over days effects his gameplay. I’d rather him get proper sleep instead of playing elden ring but it is what it is. Regardless I appreciate the playthrough haha!