How Elden Ring Balances Darkness with Beauty

FromSoftware may have garnered a reputation to make games that are dark and brutal, but the reality of these virtual worlds shows that there’s a fine balance between darkness and beauty. Join me as I discuss the kinder aspects of Elden Ring and how it became my GOTY for this year already!
Patreon: / eurothug4000
Twitter: / eurothug4000
Instagram: / eurothug4000
VOICE APPEARANCES BY
‪@IronPineapple‬
‪@HeavyEyed‬
‪@graythornian‬
‪@DarylTalksGames‬
‪@WritingOnGames‬
SPECIAL THANKS
‪@hotcyder‬ for the wonderful thumbnail
Adam (@PunchFaceChamp9) for proofreading the script
@ThePepperRoni for voiceover mixing
MUSIC USED
King’s Field - Decline
Dark Souls - Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Elden Ring - Regal Ancestor Spirit
Bloodborne - Hunter’s Dream
Dark Souls - Nameless Song
Alex Roe: Dark Souls Firelink Shrine Remix - Kindle the Soul (Acoustic Version)
• Video
Skyrim - The Streets of Whiterun
Dark Souls II - Majula
Daniel Forlenza: King's Field IV - Dark Reality Acoustic Guitar Arrangement • King's Field IV - Dark...
Demon’s Souls - Souls of Mist
SOURCES
artincontext.org/art-periods/...
howtonotsuckatgamedesign.com/2...
www.britannica.com/art/Romant...
www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions...
www.bitcreature.com/editorials...
www.codart.nl/feature/curator...
www.khm.at/en/visit/collectio...

[@eurothug4000]

If you'd like to support me, you can do so via Nebula using my link: go.nebula.tv/eurothug4000 You can get early access to vids AND watch loads of other amazing creators, as well as Nebula exclusives!

[@alexproudfootchannel]

The line “flowers bloom on the battlefield” is a genius way to describe the lands between. This video helped me understand Elden ring in an entirely new way, fantastic work.

[@KusabiTetsugoro]

When I heard this, I immediately remembered a Metal Gear Solid line, “Do you think that love can bloom even on a battlefield?”

[@ezrawallet]

Yeah big MGS vibes

[@kermitwithamustache3885]

*Cries in Drakengard*

[@tarpguy_]

made me think of The Great War, and the fields of Flander

[@LuM4rex]

Yes, flowers also grow on Herman's field, Issin's SoC, but their measures are destroyed, they are in a nightmare, or the land is simply shrouded in war

[@pimscrypt]

"Flowers bloom even on battlefields." This is literally one of the most beautiful, and most accurate, summaries of the Souls games that I've ever heard.

[@logansaxby7224]

Metal Gear Solid 3 I think...

[@Verbose_Mode]

It summs up a thought I had after the third ending I got: Greater Powers are all claiming they make the world better, giving verdicts from on high, clashing with each other and sowing destruction... But if you look, the world is beautiful and alive despite them and their designs. Flowers bloom. Animals go about their lives. Under the burdens placed on them, most people just want to have lives. Makes me have hope that Ranni's ending is actually a good one for the world, as she simply lets the world be and leaves (or plunges it into a nightmare of existential transhumanism, interpretations vary).

[@eccentrikhat3863]

@@Verbose_Mode Interesting perspective. Maybe the true legacy of The Shattering was proving the world never needed these Gods in the first place.

[@kermitwithamustache3885]

*Angry Drakengard noises*

[@anamggss]

@@kermitwithamustache3885 Disciple spotted

[@alexanderhenriquez9354]

One of the details I really liked when I first played was going to the ruins were the bear is sleeping in the mistwood and noticing that he's sleeping next to a bunch Trina's Lilies, which are crafting materials used to make sleep-inducing consumables. It was just one of hundreds of really neat discoveries that I made during my playthrough.

[@TheRaicard]

wow you're right i didn't realize until now, you just drop my jaw jajaj

[@Fantomas24ARM]

Omg, I never noticed too, environmental storytelling at it's best.

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

There's also a moment where you get ambushed by a massive rune bear, I think it's somewhere around Manor. She(my guess) jumps on you from an elevated cliff. And when you kill her you can find a small bear sleeping in the corner. Which I assume was a mama and baby bear. Felt bad for killing her afterwards. There's so much fantastic environmental storytelling in this game.

[@literallyjustgrass]

oh my god

[@blackstab3913]

Imagine how satisfying it would be for a From Soft environment or level designer to find this video and see their work so beautifully captured

[@RagnarRoxShow]

Absolutely gorgeous script & video, you're by far my favorite video-game-camerawoman/director-of-photography!

[@eurothug4000]

thank you so much!! 😭😭

[@aifakinkilyu]

Love your videos!

[@wiswc]

Yoo Ragnar I hope you make a video about elden ring too

[@realkingofantarctica]

Elden Ring has blended the dark fantasy established in Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, the high fantasy integrated in Dark Souls II, and the cosmic horror unveiled in Bloodborne. It's both a culmination of everything From Software has become, and a wholly unique experience.

[@ZedAmadeus]

Well yeah... but also a whole lot of borrowed DNA from Berserk, more than any of their other games. I think it's beautifully done, still original but paying tribute to a creator that's clearly inspired them-- so I'm not calling it plagiarism or anything, in case that's what you thought. But here's a list of stuff that seems DIRECTLY inspired by the series: The sword fields seem to memorialise the creator of Berserk, as a reference to the hill of swords from the manga that did the same for A LOT of important characters and soldiers after a terrible event. The tree of light seems to have taken inspiration from the World Tree Spiral Blaidd the Half-Wolf from the berserker armour-set the greatsword-- which is described as, _'A coarse iron lump of an ultra greatsword. Mows down foes by utilizing its incredible weight. Though handling it likely requires the wielder to have surpassed the realm of the merely human, it is precisely for this reason the weapon is used to slaughter even inhuman foes.'_ by the game... which is EXTREMELY similar to Berserk's description of Guts' dragonslayer sword, comments being made by characters about how it's less a sword and more a raw heap of iron, or a slab literally in the first chapter. Also Melania seems pretty similar to this other armour set but... I can't exactly remember where from and it's... still pretty much its own thing.

[@whysocareless2926]

The one place where this formula fails is in the combat system the players get. You face enemies and bosses that belong in Sekiro and Bloodborne but you are stuck in Dark Souls.

[@lahunica2726]

@@whysocareless2926 That's very reductive, a lot of bosses don't fall into these categories.

[@watchingvideosalot3960]

A lot of the designs on the surfaces of objects appear to be very DS3. I get some Ringed City vibes from Farum Azula, and Leyndell reminds me quite a bit of Lothric with its immense structures and tight corridors.

[@flamingmanure]

@@whysocareless2926 not really. i can think of maybe one enemy that belongs in sekiro. ppl should stop pretending bloodborne combat was unique or different from ds. its a copy paste of dark souls minus the shield with a slightly more aggressive style. the gun is basically a long range parry. sekiro on the other hand is actually completely different and playing it like soulsborne would get you killed by the weakest enemies. you can more or less play ds and bb the same with little difference. bb style enemies fit right in with ds3 and frankly even better in elden ring considering u have even more options to deal with them than BB can ever dream of. it makes it a better game for it. bb and ds1 are now boring games to me in comparison to sekiro, ds3 and especially elden ring.

[@DarylTalksGames]

Tremendous video through and through, definitely one of your best. The aspect ratio and the carefully crafted shots of the world made for a delightful watch. All the Elden Ring videos across YT lately have been a blast but I really appreciated how this one took the time to highlight how *welcoming* the world is at times. Well done and thanks for letting me be a part of it!

[@eurothug4000]

thank you so much for being a part of it!!

[@omfgmusic97]

I just taught a course on Romanticism and how it has influenced contemporary media even in places they may not expect - thank you for this! :)

[@PunchFaceChamp9]

The art history section is my new favorite portion of any of your videos. Some of those pieces of art straight up look like Elden Ring concept art, 250 years ahead of their time. Amazing work on this video!!

[@tomohawk2177]

I think it’s more that Elden Ring simulates their style rather than them being so ahead of their time

[@ItsJabo]

Honestly, the fact you included ‘Boc The Seamster’ was pretty awesome. He’s a character I love personally but he has some MAJOR BAGgage. Big ALERT!

[@drunkensergeant]

What a gorgeous, delightful video. Your unique approach to games never fails to impress. My favourite bit has to be where you mention that despite not using it much, the crafting system made you engage with and think about the environment. I've heard others discuss how the crafting is not very good and could have been omitted, then you come along and prove them wrong. :)

[@665Sunshine]

What I find most interesting about the “you’re beautiful” pate in Boc’s quest; He attributes the voice to his mother. And if you think back to where you find the pate, it’s in Hermit village - overrun by Demi-humans. Boc is presumably the Demi-human child of the queen we fight before Azur, and possibly fathered by one of the flint stone sorcerers. As he’s far more intelligent and fashionable than 99% of other Demi-humans.

[@krystalhaug1957]

Wow

[@Irishbroadsword]

You saying we may have killed Boc’s ma?

[@665Sunshine]

@@Irishbroadsword we can’t be certain, but that’s my theory, yes. “A wistful fetish that imparts voices and words on an eternal journey. Unconditional love. Unrestrained assurance. It must have been a mother speaking.”

[@musikista022]

Everytime I'm riding with Torrent and enjoying the views , I feel like I am in those illuminated manuscripts from the middle ages. Combined with high towers, dragons, knights, evil sorcerers and npcs to be saved, it feels like a storybook fairytale that we get to experience.

[@graythornian]

I'm dying, this is incredible. Your La Jetee use of stillness is so underrated. Love how you use it to capture the indifference of the world. Elden Ring can be so fast-paced, and so your controlled editing creates this wonderful little whiplash. And, of course, the art knowledge is yes. Please teach us about Gothic Revival. Super delightful, thanks sm for having me 😌

[@eurothug4000]

thank you for lending your voice!! 🥺

[@sleepyqueer]

this put how i’ve felt about this game into words so beautifully, and i love that you pointed out the wolf beside that dead noble! my heart ached when i saw that, when i aggro’d the wolf i just ran back to the grace, no way i’m killing that good boy.

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

The worst part about Elden Ring is when you finish the first playthrough. It's very hard to get that same feeling again, or more like it's difficult to get the same intensity as when you first experienced it. Such a great game. Also, amazing video, I'm glad I found this channel.

[@AmericanFire]

Nothing beats the first play through of a soulborne game

[@AmericanRoads]

That is essentially true for every game, isn't it?

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

@@AmericanRoads kinda, depends on the genre. It's just specially pronounced with Souls because the novelty and difficulty of bosses from the first play through is vastly reduced on the second playthrough, since you alredy at least understand how the bosses operate on the second.

[@danitiwa]

@@AmericanFire I disagree, I think replays have a charm entirely of their own after letting a game rest for a few years. I really appreciate the nostalgia of coming back to replay fromsoft games. It's also far less stressful because you know every punch the game will throw at you, you feel less vulnerable and scared.

[@andrewstephens5885]

Exactly why I’m taking it slow personally, as I’ve noticed a lot of people burning through it and being sick of it by the end. Moderation is key with anything! The art design is seriously insane though so I completely understand.

[@Pillarofcreation1]

Great video. 14:15 The hanging herbs and gardens in Leyndell are there because of the perfumers. Perfumers were originally healers who were sent to war during the shattering. That large building connected to the courtyards with all the plants is their original headquarters. They're even still giving medical treatment to the dying on the lower floors.

[@snowballeffect7812]

Once I learned about the player, let me solo her, I looked up his masterful battle with arguably Elden Ring's hardest boss. I was awestruck at how beautiful the boss fight was and how colorful it was. This video coming out a day after has cemented in me that I MUST play this game when I get the chance. Thank you.

[@SystemBD]

You should. But, if it is your first time playing one of these games... do not let the difficulty of the combat scare you away. Take your time exploring the world and getting a good understanding of the game mechanics (a process often called "gitting gud"), before attempting one of these beautiful, but soul-crushingly difficult bosses.

[@snowballeffect7812]

@@SystemBD Thanks for the advice. That's exactly how I plan on taking it on.

[@Nathanrichards1370]

@@SystemBD I've never raged at a game so much in all my life

[@MattPuxty]

@@Nathanrichards1370 I dunno man, you raged a LOT in GTA5...

[@literallyjustgrass]

@@SystemBD this is the nicest way i've ever heard anyone tell anybody to "git gud"

[@SystemBD]

Thank you. Today I was felling "hollow", but after this video, I am inspired to seek beauty in the (not nearly as unforgiving) real world. If nothing else, you can feel pride in making someone's day.

[@alex-roe]

That's a lot of work! Thanks for using my remix too, was really nicely used :)

[@eurothug4000]

Thanks so much for your amazing work!!

[@andresrodriguez2343]

When you said the thing about the plants “becoming an erdth tree of their own” made me think about Ashen Lake in DS1, going into speculations making me imagine that all those dead trees where flowers before.

[@laughingman9574]

This is tremendously well made video. Superbly written and spoken, and the love for the subject comes through without overacting, hyperbole, lame attempts at jokes, clickbait-y stuff and other things so many content creators resort to as cheap tactics to elevate their videos. There was no over-reaching, no mental gymnastics, just attentive, well researched and beautifully presented video. Not only it was instant sub for me, you actually inspired me to go back and explore Romanticism since in my Art school it was kinda neglected other than basics and it was many years ago.

[@MazzSpaticus]

Elden Ring is what I would consider a true piece of art, literally there's no other game that I've played where I truly stopped dead in my tracks just to appreciate and enjoy the vistas, all the time I went into a location no matter the weather or time of day I would just be in awe on how beautiful everything is. Your video is the perfect analysis on what made the world of Elden Ring more memorable than any other medieval dark fantasy game that came before it, the art style consistency and direction applied into every little detail from architecture, landscape, flora, fauna, characters, enemies and even clutter, and to me the most important one is the sense of scale of the world including the structures and the size of the buildings constructions which probably took inspiration from ancient Greece to Nabataean civilizations.

[@maureenbouterse]

This was a testament of beauty, a love letter to an astounding experience. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

[@mulblue]

This was such an amazing and poetic narration of exactly what I felt playing this but couldn't articulate at times. You explained the Elden Ring experience beautifully. Game of the year for me as well.

[@TheNerdySimulation]

I haven't played Elden Ring, but definitely every time I see someone share a screenshot or clip of the gameplay, I am always struck by how utterly interesting and inviting the environment appears to be. Always fascinated with what folks are wearing or a piece of the landscape, despite having no personal investment in the game or setting. So this video was so wonderful to watch from that perspective. Feels as though I was given a tour through an artist's collection by a guide who simply wanted to share their love of said works. Also my girl Gray was in it, so gotta show it at least SOME love. c:

[@monkewithinternetaccess6107]

I particularly love Limgrave. It feels like it used to be a wonderful, peaceful place. It makes me just wanna sit under a tree and have a picnic.

[@OfAndalu5]

The ancestor spirit boss took me aback. Was so beautiful. Not a necessarily hard boss, but a majestic experience that struck me in a way I didn't know could happen.

[@SocraTetris]

I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who fixated on the map so heavily! Something I noticed about the map is that is also appears to have been drawn at a specific time. Some things on the map are still standing structures, but ruins once you visit them. Pity we never got to meet a map maker like in Hollow Knight!

[@ZedAmadeus]

I love how this video has been 'shot!' It's gorgeous, really fantastic at highlighting the game's art design. Elden Ring has got to have one of the most creative and inspiring fantasy settings I've ever encountered, outside of Berserk-- which... I notice, ESPECIALLY watching this video, the way your shots are composed and with the use of some colour grading/contrast (I think? The footage seems to be higher contrast) just how much inspiration was taken from that series for this game. That's a plus in my book, for the record! Elden ring is plenty original and fantastic in it's own right, but I also love how close it is to just being... Berserk, the game. It's a beautiful tribute.

[@eurothug4000]

OK SO I TRUSTED THE WIKI BUT APPARENTLY THEY WERE WRONG ABOUT THEM BEING CALLED RABBITGAROOS........???

[@stariron7113]

Apparently🤷‍♂️

[@kyrenity]

This is some expert-level cinematography. Well done for capturing this footage in such a stunning, artistic way. It was just a pleasure for the eyes.

[@SeekingSeventh]

Most profoundly beautiful, eye-opening and well thought out depictions of Elden Ring I have seen covering the passive feeling and emotions that you experience. This was beautifully done and I absolutely will be using this as reference to sell people on the game in the the future. Besides people enjoying the mechanical nature of the game itself, I believe there is a large audience that is enthralled by the depth the game can provide as well. Thank you for your hard work on this video it's good to see this perspective of another passionate player.

[@DanielAngArt]

Despite the sheer number of impressive and difficult bosses in this game, the Ancestor Spirit has to be my favourite. The atmosphere of Siofra River and especially the build up as you enter the fog wall only to be met with a vast arena and haunting soundtrack - it made a huge impression on me and it felt like I was playing Ori and The Blind Forest. Stellar video essay!

[@vicjake8730]

Thank you so much for reminding me I’m not the only one that appreciates environmental beauty in games, I tend to take longer in games because of it, I just love to…chill…in the world ya know

[@Strange9952]

I haven't played it, but from what I've seen this is the most beautiful game I have ever seen. It blows me away.

[@MrThelonicus]

Getting caught in a captivating sunset or listening to the howling wind just because the mood is perfect at that specific moment. No other game has this attention to detail. I love the comparison to famous paintings. Wonderful video:)

[@c.b.5104]

Elden Ring has produced nothing more than generic review or inconsequential strategy or cheese guides videos or content. It's just so satisfying to see From Software games being seen through the scope they were meant to, which is the artistic lense. I'm bewitched by the beauty in Elden Ring. I'm obsessed with the dialogues and the context of the vistas and places. The layers of the world and backgrounds. Everything. Thank you for giving us your beautiful view of this amazing work of art.

[@truculentodantes8449]

The editing is super elegant and sober and I like it a lot. It's like an asmr but I can't sleep because it makes me want to play Elden Ring too much.

[@pedrorenault5335]

One of my favorite details was pointed out by a fellow youtube user about the Magma Wyrms. Their lore states that they were once warriors/knights who consumed to many dragon hearts and become such monstrosities, forced to crawl and be denied an honorable life. However, whey you face them and is almost defeating them, they use their last strenght to stand up right one last time and finish the battle up in their two legs, being put out of their misery by the player closer to their once honorable knight posture for the last time. Intentional or not, it’s very interesting when looking at them this way

[@uncannyvalleyarcade]

Love how I've clocked 250 hours, 3 playthroughs, followed all the guides to get equipment etc, and it started to feel like I 'knew' the game. Then I watch this and I'm like whaaaaaaaa the whole way through and it totally gave me a new perspective on loads of stuff. Awesome work! And awesome work FromSoft! 😄

[@italovictor5117]

It's like a travel documentary on the lands between and i love it

[@SscripterR]

Normally I treat KZbin videos more like a podcasts, listening to them in the background and doing something else but I couldn't have done this with this one. It is without a doubt one of if not the best souls game material when it comes to cinematography. You outdid yourself.

[@CaptainAstronaut]

It was so cool seeing all the romantic era art inspiration behind Elden Ring!! Great video as always!! Your best one yet!!

[@crumzy8]

i also often found myself stopping to take in a view, or to listen to a merchant or one of those latin sounding poison-spewing bats. i keep a sketchbook with me as i play, and i've been filling it with various scenes, interesting bits of lore or dialogue, and also more 'practical' stuff like quests, places or NPCs to keep track of. early in the game, a chest transported me to a platform high up in leyndell, and i was just in awe. the erdtree was so close, the golden roofs and spires of the capital were so shiny, and that massive stone dragon freaked me out!! i spent over an hour taking in that scene, listening to the music, sketching the erdtree towering far above the buildings, farther still above my character, kneeling in prayer before her deity

[@lyfelessvin]

i almost cried when she talked about the trees

[@iffa-0]

couldn't take my eyes off the screen. All the little details, the attention to detail and environment makes me appreciate the game soo much

[@r-6-j294]

Why are the visuals in this video so beautiful? You gotta do more of these thats really good work

[@benmacleod6240]

havent watched a video this enjoyable and with a level of quality this high in ages, its wonderful to see someone put the feelings i had while playing this game into words!

[@user-jx5xq8hu9e]

this is such a beautiful game , it is crazy how much love the devs put in designing the world

[@jake1316]

This video is so beautiful, and really showed to me just how much romanticist landscapes and painting are alive in this game. Reminds me of the course of empire by Thomas Cole, which is a series of paintings showing the rise and fall of Rome. In the series, elden ring feels like the final piece, desolation. We see the remains of a once beautiful empire that was whisked away by time and nature, where we can only bring those overgrown pieces together in our mind. It really is such a beautiful and melancholy game.

[@TimBagels]

12:05 wow. What an incredible side by side shot. 21:06 Dog. This was a really great watch. Ive had a mostly outside perspective to FromSoft's catalogue, and since Elden Ring dropped I've been exposed to a lot of perspectives of their games. Most of it focused on combat, difficulty, mechanics. But this is a completely unique take. I love the aesthetics of big fantasy games like this, and you did a really good job of highlighting all the care and thought that went into the sense of life and place in Elden Ring.

[@eurothug4000]

music and credits are all in the description! just wanna give an extra shoutout to Daniel Forlenza for their acoustic cover of King's Field IV - Dark Reality which I literally can't stop listening to o_o kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4W6XqRteLujY6c

[@thewanderingartists]

Have you played mad max ?? You're gonna love the landscapes 🤩

[@danielforlenza121]

Wow! Being featured like this is a first for me and very exciting! I think my cover fit very well in your video. I’m glad you enjoyed the music. That feeling you get when you connect with music is something really special; I never envisioned anything I made having that effect on anyone. This made my week lol! I really enjoyed the video, it was clearly very well thought out and presented. I also just finished Demon’s Souls the other day and liked your video on that as well. Thanks again for the feature and the kind words! Keep it up.

[@Romapolitan]

Which one is the one that is played in the credits?

[@eurothug4000]

my bad - completely forgot to add it! It’s this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWi7p2Ojf9B7ptk

[@Romapolitan]

@@eurothug4000 Thanks

[@benheckman8766]

Never has the feeling of “relaxation” in these games been conveyed better. 👏👏👏

[@Halcyon1916]

Quite easily the best video I have seen covering this game; it made me want a photo mode so badly. Great work!

[@roger07ify]

Such a beautifully crafted video. Thank you so much for sharing your insight and experience!

[@fuzzywuzzy843]

Keeping up with a lot of KZbin videos on elden ring I feel like most of them are missing something that was core to my experience with the game, something that you capture incredibly well here! The sheer amount of beauty in this dark, destroyed world is so amazing to experience and truly left me awestruck in ways few games have.

[@Arty_Nah]

I love how the video's aspect ratio makes it look kinda like a movie, it's weirdly aesthetically pleasing omg

[@rainydaze3627]

In my waiting for the DLC I’ve taken my over leveled character and started cataloging the little flower beds scattered across the lands between and I’ve really come to admire just how beautiful this game can be sometimes because of it. My favourite flower bed, so far, are the ones around Tetsu’s rise- the area looks incredible during clear mornings and evenings where the sky is pink & orange reflecting off the lake contrasts and compliment the vibrant blue flowers

[@nox6497]

The windmill village gave me quite the scare the first time around. It hides quite a sinister secret. Elden Ring mixes things very well in its world. The sky of the eternal cities, the view of Elphael and the sea, the golden city of leyndell, and even the beach beside Castle Morne. It's a reward in itself, getting to earn these sights. A moment of calm, in the chaotic and hostile environment. Beautifully made video, it showcases the beauty of this fictional world quite well.

[@CarmeloSantosF]

God, what an excelent video. Some of the shots almost moved me to tears, this game is so beautiful. Makes me want to go through it all over again.

[@mingi3909]

Tremendous video!!😲😲😲 This is the only video, that illustrates Elden Ring aesthetically and elaborately, I've found so far. And I was looking for somebody to talk like this!

[@larryohh6974]

this is the first video i saw from your channel, but it absolutely amazed me! such quality! i'll be glad to rewatch this for years to come.

[@sambaoleck295]

The best review I have seen so far that totally complement the beautiful Art of Elden Ring. Thank you!

[@Eldenfirefly]

Well said! An extremely good video highlighting a sometimes missed aspect of what makes Elden Ring such a remarkable game besides its other already considerable strengths. Even for the most impatient, Elden Ring has moments that cause you to just pause and take in the surroundings, because its just so breath taking.

[@dustalchemist4383]

Невероятно, это видео великолепно, да, я согласен, что в карте без маркеров NPC тоже был какой-то шарм, ты как реальный исследователь помечаешь нужные тебе вещи, более того когда я смотрел на разнообразие цветочков я реально несколько раз думал о том, что было бы круто если бы тебе как игроку давали дать короткое описание или чтобы ты мог записывать какие-то цветочки и зачем они, либо ты бы сам мог записывать то, что тебе сказали персонажи, но это очень расплывчато и не до конца соответствует идеям From software, но сам факт того, что ты начинаешь интересоваться этим всем - просто великолепен. Смотря ваше видео я смог вспомнить все эти прекрасные моменты из своих прохождений, кстати вы прошли игру намного глубже чем я, но это и не особо плохо, просто другой опыт

[@TheNick3956]

Wow, absolutely blew my mind with your editing, calm voice and framing of the whole series! It's also the video you wanna show someone who doesn't understand why the whole genre is appealing.

[@ethanrummel7638]

The pure writing on display here is amazing. Not just a video, but a full ESSAY is best sense.

[@alexspain9103]

Ngl, I watched pretty much the whole video without looking at your channel name and when I finally did, (during the fashion souls segment), I snorted and nearly spat out my water. I was *not* expecting "Eurothug" after hearing your gentle voice.

[@ugondisnesruns9436]

This video hit home for me. 140 hours in, and still exploring. So much of that time spent just looking and exploring. Great game, great video. ty

[@mikelevels1]

What an amazing discussion of this masterpiece’s art.

[@marcoscarrasco92]

Beautiful video essay. Thoughtful, serene, and thoroughly engrossing.

[@javax6]

Every Frame A Painting. Spectacular cinematography

[@markm5927]

Love this video, coming back to it and I can see myself coming back to it again in the future. It captures what made Elden Ring so special to me in a way few have. Games discussion is so often focused on the systems and mechanics rather than the artistic and the beauty. Both are important but what makes Elden Ring so special is the latter.

[@LucasDimoveo]

This is probably one of the best Elden Ring videos I've ever seen. You deserve more views

[@Vman_95]

When you talk about mausoleum, I remember how I got the information about it from purchasing document from some merchant that says, you have to clean it's feet in order to discover further. It's amazing how organic discovery feels in this Openworld 🔥

[@nutbunny10]

This was a lovely video. It gave voice to my thoughts on The Lands Between. It's such a beautiful and fascinating place to experience. Very often I find myself stopping to take in the view.

[@tharun7290]

randomly stumbled upon your channel, and i was immediately in admiration of the camerawork in this video with the cinematic touches ! Instant sub

[@aettic]

There's so much detail in everything in the Lands Between, which reflect light and darkness. Last night I got to Mt. Gelmir for the first time, and stumbled upon an encampment of Leyndell soldiers, many of whom were dead, and the rest of whom were crouched or kneeling over the bodies of their fallen comrades. I only saw one at first, and when I saw it initially I thought "Oh my god, he's grieving or mourning this fallen friend". Then I got a little closer, used the binoculars, and watched him scoop up *something* and bring it to his face, over and over again. It made me think "Is he... eating the body of his fellow soldier?" And when I killed him, I noticed his face was hollow and withered. Something happened here. Something happened to these people. I continued, and I saw so many more. Probably a dozen soldiers all huddled around dead bodies scooping up something from them and eating it.

[@rolfo728]

I always loved the contrast in Souls games. In one corner you have something that's horrific. Then you turn around and see something mind blowing. ER takes that and cranks it up to 11.

[@0xzi]

I was so hoping you were going to do an Elden Ring video. I still can't play any other games.. it's just so phenomenal. Everything about it, the gameplay, the setting, the music, the art direction, the exploration.. god I love it. I wish I had a widescreen monitor so I could get this mod cause god damn does it look good while wide. You're definitely one of my favorite channels when it comes to more essay type videos - and almost everything I've said about Elden Ring applies to this video too! The beautiful cinematic shots, music, and your script are all works of art in themselves. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@TheRaicard]

i literally cried watching this, the best essay about elden ring i will ever watch, thanks

[@ipeefriely3034]

This was magnificent! I particularly enjoyed the fashion tangent as the exact triangle between looks good, protects me, and good lore has me outfit swapping all the time in these games

[@Nitrostine]

I found your "Why is it always Bug?" message ages ago, had a laugh, and never thought twice about it. Seeing in this video that you placed it absolutely blew me away.

[@eurothug4000]

LMAO that’s amazing!! I didn’t think anyone would see it 🤣 glad you got a laugh from it!

[@mhasemore]

I would add something I experienced from the multiplayer aspect: while being invaded, there were a couple of times someone with no clothes just stood there and allowed my and my buddy to kill him, granting us some runes and flask refills. A crazy kind of assistance, but even invaders can be helpful in their own way. Though another couple just trolled us and spent the whole time running away like a goose chase, which was pretty funny. After a certain point, invaders actually made the game more varied and fun anyway.

[@TheDarkerPath]

Wonderful work! This captures so well why I connect so deeply with these worlds. The beauty and quiet contemplative moments in Souls and Elden Ring are as important, if not more so, than the hectic boss battles in setting the tone and atmosphere.

[@janitorben1434]

One of my favorite areas to just sit in and look around ah is Leyndell, pre-ash specifically. As long as I’m not trying to that crucible Knight in the black roof building or the tree spirits, I can just kick back and take in the gorgeous view and music

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

The girl from the round table hold that upgrades your ashes is now making KZbin videos? I always loved the voice so this works.

[@sniss]

such a fantastic video, wonderful job on the footage!

[@oceolin8860]

Jesus christ! Compositions of the shots you've taken are absolutely gorgeous.

[@RockYourSox345]

Your video on Control used to be my favourite creation of yours. I think this new one might take its place. I feel like you truly captured the beauty of Elden Ring. The ties you drew to Romanticism feel so relevant. From Softare games manage so many times to create a feeling of "awe" and sublime. And your videos convey that for me in a way I wouldn't be able to do even though that's exactly what I experience when playing the games you discuss, so : in short, thank you !

[@barbaricpenguin]

This is incredibly well done! I've never seen a game discussed so well just on the artistic aspects in the game. The amount of detail in this game really impresses me. Skyrim is the only other game I can think of that has a similar amount of detail like this. Regarding the violins... I had to stop and listen to the violin in the very precarious platform dungeon you briefly showed. It was so serene to hear among all the bodies. Thank you for making this!

[@low_rez_9548]

I came here from IronPinnaples video that he mentioned you in the other day, and I'm glad I did. Your voice is incredibly soothing! It has been a great equalizer for my mood in opposition to any stress I might have while working for the two days Ive been watching/listening to your videos. I'm really looking forward to more of your videos in the future, and I'll be going through your other stuff while waiting! Thanks and keep up the good work :)

[@vonmeier]

Thank you for making this video, it's beautiful. Your voice and style of narration matches it perfectly.

[@Sharpman34]

The footage you pulled is gorgeous, and well taken. My last few builds have been centered around co-op, it's all I do for hours and rarely level up. So many runes I can't even spend them. But it's my favorite part of the game, the funny little interactions we get

[@manjiimortal]

Great essay video here, couple with equally great video editing and use of BGM. Congrats for it.

[@windownpc39]

Wow this video is so well edited, written, and in particular the shots are all framed so well. I really appreciate the 4K upload. It’s popping off my tv screen. And I find the letterboxing really adds to the whole thing…

[@SonarFates]

As an artist I do not get time to play games but I have always been inspired by them and frequently buy art of books- I just want to say that you did an amazing job talking about Elden Ring through an art lens and you have brought something I haven't seen before to video game documentaries. Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[@connerjessop8422]

This is my favorite video I've seen on any dark souls game. Well done!! As I was playing through I felt the romanticist influences and I'm so happy you made a video discussing that.