Many gamers have experienced the frustration of playing a game and feeling like something is just not right. Reddit user Legendarygap found themselves in this very situation after trying out Elden Ring, the highly acclaimed RPG from FromSoftware. Having previously played and loved Sekiro, their first FromSoftware game, they were expecting Elden Ring to be the pinnacle of gaming perfection. However, their experience with the game was far from enjoyable, and they couldn’t figure out what they were doing wrong. It wasn’t until a month later that they made a shocking revelation about their gameplay: they had unintentionally been playing with the absolute worst dodge roll the entire time.
Legendarygap took to Reddit to share their unfortunate experience of playing Elden Ring on what they referred to as “hard mode.” They explained that they had mistakenly picked up a super heavy weapon early on in the game, which resulted in their character being burdened with an excessive amount of weight. This meant that they were essentially playing the game “while super obese.” No wonder they were finding the game extremely difficult and couldn’t understand why everyone else loved it so much. It took them a grueling week to finally defeat Margit the Fell Omen, and they faced similar challenges with other early bosses in the game. This accidental misstep in gameplay made Elden Ring an un-fun experience for Legendarygap, and it’s easy to see why. The heavy dodge roll they had been using not only took longer, but also provided fewer invincibility frames compared to normal or light rolls, rendering it almost useless in combat situations.
Legendarygap’s plight is something that most players can relate to. We’ve all had moments in the unforgiving Souls games where we felt like the biggest screwup in the gaming world. In fact, the author has their own fond memories of completely misunderstanding the magic system in the original Dark Souls, leading to a similarly frustrating experience. But to play an entire game on “hard mode” for a month due to a misunderstanding about equipment load is legendary in itself.
Since discovering their unintentional gameplay mistake, Legendarygap has been enjoying Elden Ring a lot more. They describe toggling off “hard mode” and spending a significant amount of time playing the game, especially during breaks from work (thanks to working from home). They learned about the importance of equipment load while watching a speedrun on YouTube and had a revelation about their own gameplay. The newfound knowledge about equip load and the Spirit Call Bell, which they had also missed out on, made the game much easier and more enjoyable for them. Legendarygap managed to defeat multiple bosses during their month-long ordeal, which is undeniably impressive considering the disadvantage they were unknowingly playing with.
What makes Legendarygap’s experience even more fascinating is their gaming history as a former Sekiro-only player. While many players have various experiences with Elden Ring, such as memorable builds or co-op efforts, Legendarygap’s journey stems from their love for Sekiro. In attempting to honor their beloved game, they are now building a samurai character in Elden Ring. They’re focusing on increasing Endurance to wield big boy weapons and experimenting with a combination of parry and dodge mechanics. Comparing the parry systems between Sekiro and Elden Ring, they find the latter to be more challenging and requiring greater precision. Despite the differences, they are finding enjoyment in the balance between the two mechanics.
Through their renewed experience with Elden Ring, Legendarygap has come to appreciate the game’s strengths. They acknowledge that combat in Sekiro feels more polished and satisfying, making it their favorite game of all time. However, they’ve discovered that Elden Ring excels in the exploration aspect. They are amazed by the vastness of the game world and the countless activities it offers. This revelation has added a new layer of enjoyment to their gameplay experience, and they are now fully immersed in the world of Elden Ring.
Legendarygap’s tale of redemption showcases the transformative power of understanding the mechanics of a game. What initially felt like a terrible gaming experience turned into a newfound appreciation for Elden Ring. The journey serves as a reminder to all gamers to thoroughly explore and understand the intricacies of a game before passing judgment. Sometimes, all it takes is a little knowledge and a different perspective to unlock the true potential of a game and find joy in the most challenging of circumstances.
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