Maps in FromSoft’s Next Open-World Game Have a Big Challenge Ahead

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Maps in FromSoft's Next Open-World Game Have a Big Challenge Ahead

Highlights

  • Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree shine in the open-world genre by rewarding player curiosity and providing a captivating environment.
  • FromSoftware’s map design in Elden Ring stands out by using artwork as a guide, setting a high standard for future open-world games.
  • However, it can still be improved in the developer’s future open-world games. FromSoftware should consider a 3D map for better navigation and an option to hide cluttered map icons like Sites of Grace.

As a longtime fan of FromSoftware and a connoisseur of open-world games, I must say that Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree have truly elevated the genre to new heights. The captivating environments, rewarding exploration, and masterful map design make these games stand out among the crowd.

Open-world video games have been around for quite some time, but it wasn’t until about a decade ago that they started gaining significant popularity. Since then, there’s been a consistent growth in the number of these games being produced, many following similar patterns. Unfortunately, open-world games haven’t always had a great reputation due to feeling more like a series of tasks than enjoyable experiences. However, this is exactly what makes FromSoftware’s Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC stand out so brilliantly. They offer players an engaging open world that rewards exploration, thereby demonstrating their expertise in crafting open-world games.

One key method that sets apart the open worlds of Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is their thoughtful map design. Unlike many other open-world maps, which are often cluttered with icons, these games rely on the design of the map itself to provide direction. Instead of relying on icons as guides, players in Elden Ring use the artwork as a navigational tool. However, this approach sets a high standard for FromSoftware’s future open-world games since it suggests they will need to strive to surpass it. Fortunately, there are several ways they can enhance their open-world map design in future titles, making the experience even more rewarding.

How FromSoftware Can Improve Its Open-world Map Design for Future Games

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s Map Has a Verticality Problem That Should Be Absent From Future Games

The expansion for Elden Ring, titled Shadow of the Erdtree, significantly expands the game in various aspects. Not only does it offer additional playtime equivalent to numerous hours, but it also introduces a fresh realm to delve into. However, this DLC isn’t just large in terms of storyline and timeframe; its focus on vertical exploration sets it apart from Elden Ring in remarkable ways.

If FromSoftware decides to venture into creating more open-world games, it might be beneficial for them to incorporate a three-dimensional map design. For instance, the open-world map in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora offers players an advantage by allowing them to observe floating islands and other vertically structured landscapes due to its 3D layout. This feature would undoubtedly enhance the experience of the next FromSoftware open-world game. Moreover, if they were to include the ability to rotate or adjust the view angle of the map, it would provide an even more immersive experience. However, this suggestion assumes that their upcoming open-world project will maintain the level of verticality seen in Shadow of the Erdtree.

Future FromSoftware Open-world Games Need an Option to Hide Map Icons

In addition to other aspects, the maps in Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have one potential drawback: they don’t allow users to hide icon markers. Unlike many open-world games that use icons to indicate activities and quests, Elden Ring only uses icons for major locations and Sites of Grace. This results in the maps becoming overly cluttered with these icons, which can obstruct their artistic details. It would enhance the user experience if a future FromSoftware open-world game offered an option to disable or hide map icon markers for a cleaner, less cluttered view.

While it’s hard to find flaws in FromSoftware’s expansive maps for their open-world games, they do exist. Fortunately, there are strategies available to enhance the quality of their future open-world titles even more. If FromSoftware decides to create another open-world game, they might want to think about incorporating a 3D map and an option to hide map markers for a smoother gaming experience.

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2024-08-10 00:03