Why an Elden Ring ‘Return to the Lands Between’ Event Could Be a Big Ask

Why an Elden Ring 'Return to the Lands Between' Event Could Be a Big Ask

As a longtime fan who’s traversed the twisted realms of Yharnam, Lordran, and Drangleic, I can wholeheartedly say that Elden Ring has truly outdone itself in terms of gameplay, lore, and community engagement. The sheer scale and immersive environment design have made it a standout among FromSoftware’s impressive catalog.


Elden Ring accomplished something that many longtime FromSoftware fans never thought possible: it brought brutally difficult Soulslike gameplay decisively into the mainstream. While Elden Ring‘s cultural significance perhaps could have been predicted given the growing popularity of FromSoftware’s titles in the wake of Demon’s Souls, the mammoth reach and influence of the landmark title was indeed a surprise.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why Elden Ring achieved the widespread success that it did, surpassing the likes of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Dark Souls 3 before it, but one can make a few educated guesses. For one thing, the massive scale of Elden Ring‘s open world, supported by FromSoftware’s clever environment design that facilitates exploration, made it a compelling prospect for new audiences; its reputation in popular culture was defined by more than its intimidating difficulty. This sort of accessibility allowed Elden Ring to be far more inviting, welcoming new players into the fold while still being faithful to what returning fans had grown accustomed to. With such popularity, Elden Ring would be perfect for a “Return To” event, but its very selling point could be a hindrance in this regard.

An Elden Ring ‘Return to the Lands Between’ Event Might Be Tricky

Understanding the ‘Return To’ Events in FromSoftware’s Games

As a devoted fan, I’d say FromSoftware games offer a distinctive take on multiplayer interaction. Instead of the usual ways, you can invite or clash with other players in real-time for challenging boss fights or competitive PvP encounters. But what sets it apart is their cryptic messaging system, where players can leave behind enigmatic notes for each other to discover. This blend of immediate and delayed multiplayer interaction fosters a powerful sense of camaraderie. It’s as if we’re all fellow travelers on a journey, tackling shared obstacles and unveiling the same narrative twists together.

Yet, the feeling of camaraderie may diminish as the excitement from each game’s debut fades away, leading to “Return To” events that often occur near the anniversary of the respective FromSoftware title. For instance:

  • Bloodborne: Return to Yharnam
  • Dark Souls: Return to Lordran
  • Dark Souls 2: Return to Drangleic

These locally arranged gatherings serve as a tribute to the original games while rejuvenating their multiplayer aspects. This has led to an increase in PvP matchmaking and discussions, offering a nostalgic journey. It seems plausible that such an annual event may eventually be held for FromSoftware’s top-selling game.

Elden Ring’s Massive Size Could Negatively Impact an Anniversary Event

During the Return to Yharnam event in Bloodborne, players encounter numerous notes, some helpful and others amusing, as they progress linearly through the game’s main story. Since most players share a similar journey, visiting identical locations and defeating bosses in a similar sequence, this shared experience fosters a strong and consistent sense of community. However, Elden Ring’s vast, non-linear nature, particularly after the inclusion of the Shadow of the Erdtree’s expansive new map, makes it challenging to replicate this unified player experience. Essentially, Elden Ring might be too large, sprawling, and deep to accommodate the same style of “Return To” events as its predecessors.

Instead of saying “On the other hand, the extraordinary fame of Elden Ring may influence the scale for future ‘Return To’ festivities,” you could rephrase it as “Conversely, given Elden Ring’s massive popularity, its scale might play a crucial role in future ‘Return To’ events. With millions of players potentially returning to The Lands Between simultaneously instead of thousands, the game would remain richly populated with messages and PvP possibilities. There would still be enough variety for everyone to stumble upon something fresh. It wouldn’t resemble the anniversary events from previous FromSoftware games exactly, but it could offer just as much excitement, albeit in a unique manner.

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2024-10-13 18:05