Elden Ring: SotE Makes a Case for ‘Scadutree Fragments’ in Future Games

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Elden Ring: SotE Makes a Case for 'Scadutree Fragments' in Future Games

As a seasoned traveler through the treacherous lands of Lordran, Yharnam, and Lothric, I can confidently say that the latest addition to FromSoftware’s expansive catalog, Elden Ring, has left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. The game, much like a relentless boss fight, is challenging yet rewarding, echoing the spirit of its esteemed predecessors.

In simple terms, Elden Ring, the latest masterpiece by FromSoftware in the dark fantasy RPG genre, has lived up to expectations as a worthy successor in a series of tough yet gratifying role-playing game experiences. Just like its predecessors, Elden Ring showcases many of the challenging combat, intricate world-building, and captivating lore that have become signature elements of the FromSoftware formula, making the gameplay loop of a Soulsborne game incredibly addictive. Although it builds upon and enhances mechanics from previous Soulsborne titles, Elden Ring also offers a host of innovative ideas that set it apart, particularly with the addition of its significant expansion DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Following the style of FromSoftware games, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC offers a distinct experience, set in a fresh map known as the Realm of Shadow where the Tarnished character hunts for the lost demigod Miquella. Unlike many FromSoftware titles, the developers worked to strike a balance between making this expansion challenging yet enjoyable for seasoned players while also ensuring it’s approachable for newcomers and lower-level characters. Usually in Soulsborne games, DLC areas lock enemy scaling, meaning the content is tailored to a specific level relative to the rest of the game regardless of the player’s current level. However, this time around, FromSoftware introduced a unique twist: they allowed for more flexible scaling within the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, making it a bit more adaptable to players at various levels.

Legacy Mechanics Across the Soulsborne Genre May Be Changing

As a fervent admirer, I delve into the enigmatic Scadutree shards. The Scadutree, a warped echo of the Erdtree, serves as the Realm of Shadow’s counterpart (essentially). These shards serve to amplify the damage I deal while lessening the harm I sustain within the Realm of Shadow. This departure from FromSoftware’s typical design, where in-game currency is primarily used to bolster the player (such as runes in Elden Ring or souls in Demon’s Souls), is quite striking. Instead of accumulating runes to assign points to specific attributes, the Scadutree shards are the key tool for managing the DLC map’s challenge level.

In Elden Ring’s DLC, you can still progress by using runes for leveling up as usual. However, the presence of Scadutree Fragments hints at potential advanced leveling systems in future FromSoftware games. These fragments resemble the leveling system in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, where levels were only gained through prayer beads dropped from boss battles. This is one reason why Sekiro stands out as the most challenging of the Soulsborne series because players can’t delay progression to grind levels like they can in other games. It’s worth noting that Scadutree Fragments are found in Elden Ring’s open world, and there’s a striking resemblance between them and prayer beads.

Mechanics Elden Ring borrowed and improved upon from previous Soulsborne titles:

  • Sneaking from Sekiro
  • Staggering enemies from Bloodborne
  • Shield parrying from Dark Souls series
  • Jumping from Sekiro
  • Poise and hyper armor from Dark Souls
  • Power stancing from Dark Souls 2
  • Combat arts (called ‘Ashes of War’ in-game) from Sekiro

What Scadutree Fragments May Mean for FromSoft’s Next Game

In essence, the Elden Ring game appears to combine successful elements from previous Soulsborne games, and the Scadutree fragment-like prayer items suggest that future FromSoftware RPGs might feature revised leveling systems. The dual leveling system in Elden Ring represents a new perspective on an established concept, demonstrating how traditional mechanics can be adapted to accommodate more intricate, multi-dimensional features while seamlessly integrating with gameplay flow. Likewise, the optional leveling using Scadutree fragments, similar to base game leveling, empowers players by providing them the flexibility to customize the difficulty of both the main game and DLC according to their preference.

If the way FromSoftware is shaping the leveling systems and other traditional aspects in the Soulsborne series, as demonstrated by Scadutree fragments, signals a move towards complexity, it might catch attention, but not always in a bad way. As long as any new features are seamlessly incorporated, this approach could be beneficial. It’s clear that FromSoftware is evolving how its Soulsborne games function, aligning with its expanding fanbase and renown within the gaming industry. Whether this trend continues or changes, Elden Ring has undeniably set a precedent that will likely impact more than just the next FromSoftware project.

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2024-10-13 18:34