Elden Ring Spoilercast and Review Discussion feat. FightinCowboy | Sacred Symbols+, Episode 174
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- Опубликовано: 29 мар 2022
- After much anticipation (and a short delay), Elden Ring has finally arrived. Coming off of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice, FromSoftware has returned with its most ambitious title to date. Elden Ring not only shocked the industry through its detailed and content-dense open world, but also their most dedicated fans. Over the past few weeks, the game has become a phenomenon, breaking out of the traditional gaming spheres and into mainstream conversation.
So in line with Last Stand tradition, I (Dustin) gathered your questions, comments, concerns, thoughts, and ideas to discuss this monumental game. For this show, I knew I needed to include some of the big guns, so I brought on Souls expert FightinCowboy and our very own MrMattyPlays to discuss the game. We hope you love it!
Check out @FightinCowboy!
Get early access to all of our spoilercasts at / laststandmedia
Note: The first 20 minutes of the show are spoiler-free if you're interested in learning more about the game. There is a clear audible warning when spoilers begin. 
Игры
Fact that cowboy is on makes this such a big deal. Cowboy is the only reason why I've completed some of the souls games in general. Much love ❤️
Same. He also showed a lot of love and praise for the Nioh Series. I love theses games so much too.
He is basically the Sensei of many souls fans!
He's one of the very few content creators who knows the value of organization while creating guides and walkthroughs.
The Ranni quest is the exact questline that I loved but was like "who could do this without help"
It's not that hard, they literally tell you what to do step by step
Most people have this ending. I doubt most people looked up how to complete it. It’s clearly not that hard to get.
A lot of people didn’t know you had to not only try talking to miniature ranni not once, not twice, but three times to progress the quest. Why not just press talk to miniature ranni and just simply give us the dialogue and progress the quest. Alexander’s quests are easy to miss too
@@Woozie87 the option is there for a reason
I made it most of the way through and then looked up a few things towards the end (why not just make the small doll work the first time you try to use for instance).
Cowboy got me really into Souls. Gotta love him here. I didn’t think I’d like a walkthrough approach to souls, but honestly his guide got me through DS3 and eventually led me to build the foundations of my souls gaming so that when I beat an SL1 run on DS3 I still think back to those early days where he led the way haha
1:29:10 Couldn't disagree more on Mattys take about the sewers. They were one of my favorite areas in the game and felt like a very intentional throwback to the more classic Dark Souls style of level design. Saying "an intern must've designed this" is extremely insulting, lmao. It's one of the very few areas that has actually meaningful shortcuts looping back to the same grace, giving you that rewarding Dark Souls style feeling of progressing through the area. That specifically was something that I felt was a little lacking in the other legacy dungeons (which were still amazing though). Combined with the very narrow, claustrophobic spaces and the sense of "going deeper and deeper" it felt like a great and refreshing contrast to the otherwise more open nature of the game. Some of the best level design in the game, albeit quite different from the rest of the world, maybe that's why it's jarring to many people.
Once you found that elevator after near an hour of winding through pipes really felt like "Wow, I'm deep in it now. This feels forbidden."
Once you found that elevator after near an hour of winding through pipes really felt like "Wow, I'm deep in it now. This feels forbidden."
I agree. I absolutely loved that area. I felt so lost but in the best way possible. Trying to find your way through that labyrinth was absolutely a high point.
Same it in WA line yes
Same, going thru the sewers felt sorta like Blighttown but not quite as annoying
42:20 The first time I went down the Siofra Well elevator in MIstwood was probably the biggest "holy shit" moment for me. Everything about the way it is presented was pretty amazing. The elevator just keeps going down and the glimpses you get at the buildings on the way instantly make you wonder about how large an area it is. Such a cool moment.
I can’t lie that was a moment for me to. I was like “where the fuck am I going? Hell?” Followed with a “fuuuuuck I need get back this is out of my way” to exploring it being amazed.
Dude... it was just a loading screen lol
@@ekoms108 Everything is a loading screen. But even if you wanna be so needlessly cynical that was the coolest “loading screen” in video games probably.
Right from Bioshock's intro. Heavy influence there.
I platinumed Elden Ring last week so I’ve been wanting some good discussions to listen to and this is by far the best and most even keeled. Great episode. Colin should have been here to just shut up and listen.
This was awesome to see! FightinCowboy and his guides are the reason I was able to get into Souls games.
Dustin: "Spoiler Mode is off" 20:44
Cowboy: "Wouldn't spoiler mode be on?" 20:49
Dustin defeated.
Matty chilling.
Thanks for reading my question dustin ❤ Love the episode so far
Loved Cowboys guides for Sekiro, Dark Souls 1 Remastered and Bloodborne. Really happy he came on to chat :)
I totally went FromSoft to Hard after seeing FightinCowboy!! Good stuff
YESSSS COWBOY!!!! Loved cowboy when he was on the podcast with Matty and ACG back in the day, can't wait to watch!!!
Man this was soo good. Ive searched for ‘elden ring podcast’ and all the other ones either have people who clearly dont play elden ring a lot/nor care, or its a host that wants to talk about other games. This is the first one i came across with great hosts and then of course OG cowboy knows his shit inside and out. So great listened to the entire thing. Thumbs up fellas.
This is exactly what I've been looking for. Great video and love how you all stayed on topic with elden ring. I'm obsessed with this game!
Man Cowboys videos helped me scrape through DS3 back in the day. Good times.
1:29:13 I ended up kinda loving the sewers. It reminded me of a really good DS1 dungeon. I'm kinda surprised that might be such an unpopular opinion. Especially from a design aspect, Matty mentions how it must have been made by an intern but to me it felt like it was made by veteran: interconnected with shortcuts and hidden pathways, punishing but fair if you are being careful. I ended up really enjoying it and found it to be one of the more impressive "Legacy Dungeons."
Same, man. Seeing an item higher up and finally looping back around not only to get the item but to create a shortcut felt like their old level work.
I liked the sewers a lot, I just wish they were harder. I got through the entirety of it without dying. The basilisks were dissapointing, I thought maybe From had brought back curse.
They always made really great areas that felt like you were doing something wrong by existing. The sewers and Tomb of the Giants of DS1, the Frigid Outskirts of DS2...
But since those, they've always made each area nice and fair. Fair is good in the main areas, but in the optional areas I want some variety. I want a place that just doesn't care about me, to make the world feel bigger.
@@glowerworm That's a pretty interesting perspective. Never considered looking at it that way.
@@dougdynamo9398 I don't think From agrees with you haha, they've gone away from doing that. It's not a deal-breaker, mind you. The direction they've gone with the series is still a really fun and great direction, but I do missed the more hardcore regions that they had in previous games. I probably should just revisit King's Field if I want that tbh.
In this game, Consecrated Snowfields and Lake of Rot were the closest I got to feeling like I was out of my depth. Which is a great feeling for me, it makes it feel like a proper adventure. But overall I feel like the game lacked anything actually punishing. The worst punishment in this game is death, or sometimes being unable to warp out of a tough area.
@@glowerworm
I don't mean what I'm about to say to be negatively charged, but more as an objective statement: I don't think your feelings about an area can be objectively implemented. What I mean by that is, while you had an easier time with a majority of areas, somebody else might consider Caelid or Nokron to be their "hardcore regions" that feel beyond their depth, or that they're not supposed to be there. Personally, I get what you're talking about: I was in Discord with my friend, his first From game, and when I got through the Lake of Rot to the Grand Cloister, I told him, "This place feels like an ancient evil; a place that hasn't been disturbed and probably for a good reason." I do think areas like it or Archdragon Peak from DS3 are what's there for players like us. But I think we've grown too accustomed to From's game design, and the community has grown too large to really hide even the most tucked away places.
With all that being said, I really like your perspective on areas like those because I figure the majority of players would call them, for lack of a better word, "Bullshit." I think the way you view them is honestly kinda necessary critique.
I could listen to you guys talk about this game for 24 hours straight...literally. Good show fellas
Just want to shout out cowboy and how awesome he is, been watching him for like 8 years and he's finally got to 1 million!
Great podcast guys ! By the way not sure when this was recorded but nepheli and kenneth quests have been finished.
Thanks for the discussions guys! This is my new favorite game of all time. What an absolute masterpiece.
Fighting cowboy is the sole reason I know wtf I'm doing in that game. Following his walkthrough series.
My favourite ER Co-Op moment: I’m farming Malenia for runes and arcs and get summoned in. The summoner tells me he’s fought her 80 times and respeced. We beat her and he starts crying tears of joy and shouting. Was actually really nice!
Damn dustin is a great host. Really enthusiastic and driving good conversation.
Problem with smiting stones is the gap between the ball bearing that lets you get up to (2), which you get early on, and the next ball bearing - up to (4) - that you don't get until the capital. Then you get all the rest in quick succession. I would have spread them out more
In defense of the Leyndell's Subterranean Shinning grounds, theres only 1 grace but you unlock short cuts to that grace in 3 key points in exploring the sewers. There was 2 as markers where you get to where it changes areas which was the boss at mohg and leyndell catacombs
I dreaded those places but also loved them because they put the fear and sense of exploration in those places
Loved the discussion guys, keep up the great work!
I've got to say as someone who has never played a Dark souls game (I have platinum'd Sekiro) I absolutely loved Elden Ring. The world, the enemies, the combat style, just everything felt fresh for me. I only have one major problem with the game. NO PHOTO MODE. I played this game on my series X and I thought it looked spectacular, the scale of the castles was especially astonishing. But I had no good way of taking good quality screenshots. Please fromsoft add a photomode!
Great suggestion… Demons Souls Remake took it a step further - they added photo mode AND it doubled as a pause screen. Too bad FromSoft didn’t take notes
You can pause Elden ring by going to the map or inventory and opening the tips/help menu.
Having a meh day, and want to say ty to Fighting Cowboy for making me laugh when he imitated the NPC giving you a quest.
Take this potion
OK to who
F*ck you
I like the side quests for people that like to play blind and I never stress too much about them until I get to a point near the end of the game to look up quests that I know I missed. As obscure as some are, the few that stumble upon them truly blind must be an amazing feeling.
Love seeing Cowboy on! Just beat the game myself and came back to listen. He's been with me through all the souls/bourne games... holding my hand the entire way LOL
Loved the episode, I'm about 20 hours into ER, don't have much gaming time atm but really enjoying it. Also fromsoft already announced they're working on an Amoured Core game next.
Dustin, I'm reading Berserk for the first time too! I just started volume 9, pretty good so far.
Cowboy’s Dark Souls II walkthrough really helped me get through parts of that game when I was in college. So happy to see him here
Lookin forward to a mix of games from From Software going forward, as far as open world and linear design, and a mix of combat mechanics, whether the combat mechanics more closely align with Sekiro, Dark Souls/Elden Ring, or Bloodborne. A sequel or spiritual successor to Sekiro would certainly be nice. With how impressive the story trailers were for Elden Ring, I actually hoped short story cutscenes would be sprinkled in throughout Elden Ring, for a more epically presented story, but not having them definitely didn't decrease my enjoyment with the game.
Yeah man, amen. I really hope they start shaking it up a bit. I’m very much enjoying Elden Ring, but I do wish deep down that the combat was a bit less “big Dark Souls.” It’s great, I’m not knocking it, but Dark Souls is my least favorite combat they’ve done. Sekiro’s combat was my favorite, then Bloodborne’s (cuz of the regen/rally system and trick weapons). And as much as I appreciate why people love the variety and customization that comes with this leveling system, I like the idea of a voiced protagonist like Sekiro, and slightly more cutscenes / narrative. In an ideal world, I’d want a Bloodborne aesthetic with Sekiro combat and narrative mechanics, with slightly more weapon choice and an Elden Ring map lol.
I had another thought recently of a wildly different direction that might be cool for them to try. Imagine, a very dark mystical world. No proper melee weapons... everyone (player) is a mage. But like, a very very VERY fast casting mage. I’m talking like, the bullet hell of Returnal, but it’s spells you’re casting with your hands or smtn. GIANT variety of spells that you switch between instantly. Everyone moves REALLY fast, and you can float in the air a bit, move around and rapid fire insane spells.
It’s hard to describe what I’m picturing without the reader conflating it with previous FromSoft magic and speed, but I’m talking about something way way faster. Kinda like the speed of combat in the Spiderman game mixed with Returnal. Like every movement is like using the Old Hunter Bone from Bloodborne, on crack.
I know there already lots of build suggestions out there but I wanted to say if your having a hard time I would strongly suggest trying out a greatshield. It's actually insane how much easier the game becomes when you can just hold L1 to win and never have to worry about timing your rolls perfectly
I did the Ranni questline naturally. And had the Fia and Rogier stuff going too. Only quests I missed in my first playthrough were goldmask, millicent and the flame of frenzy ending.
This is exactly me
Cowboy describing Ranni's absurdly convoluted questline while trying not to laugh is givin me life :D Never change, Fromsoft :)
My suggestion would be to discuss more of the story, characters and locations that you enjoyed the most and what endings did you guys get. This ended up being more a discussion about the design of the quests/builds and less of the lore/character/discoveries aspect that I wanted in a Spoilercast.
My first playthough the size of the map was a little overwhelming. Took around 120 hours to beat everything. Loved the game. Now I’m following Cowboy’s guide for my second playthrough and I’m destroying enemies left and right.
NPC quest lines and their vagueness are what make them SO cool. The fact that you can miss them and such cool lore is hidden behind them makes them or the more intriguing.
I think the new map markers they added to help you recall where you last talked to an NPC are a great touch without hand holding too much - and you can infer that if the marker isn’t there anymore then the NPC moved locations.
The furthest I would go in making the NPC quests more “accessible” is MAYBE what Cowboy said: have an in-game journal that keeps track of the important dialogue between you and each NPC.
To be fair though, I already take notes in my iPhone when NPCs say things that might be important - especially about locations/items/people. Some might see this as a bridge too far and that the game “shouldn’t” require the player to do this and to those people I would say: “You don’t have to do the quest lines to beat the game. They’re optional. So I think they should require more thought and secret-hunting.”
After you defeat Praetor Rykard, Patches moves from Volcano Manor to the Shaded Castle in front of the area boss room. He appears injured and asks you to give Lady Tanith an item called the Dancer's Castanets as a dying wish. If you reload the area, Patches mysteriously disappears. If you give this item to Lady Tanith, she simply states that she does not need it anymore and the item gets removed from your inventory permanently. What happens after this point of the quest line is still unknown.
dung eater was a tough quest to follow
The Wing of Astel is a great weapon as a mage. Its weapon art does the same cosmic explosions that Elden Beast does and destroys many bosses quickly. Its strong attack is a charged magic blast that does good damage too.
One thing I both loved and hated about some of the mainline bosses is the screen wide/long moves they had. Radagon’s AOE covers the whole floor and gives you no choice but to roll through it. If you don’t understand how s work, you’re screwed. Same with Elden Beast and his sword blasts. But what I loved is surviving those attacks led to openings to attack if you used those moments to strategically close the distance.
I've been using Cowboys guides since 2015. Sekiro is one of my all time fav thanks to him, along with DS2, DS3, Demon souls remake, and Elden Ring. His guides are the best. And sometimes hilarious
Cowboy for guides
Vaat for Lore
FightinCowboy has always been my go to when it comes to anything FromSoft
I figured out talking to Miniature Ranni without a guide- I just kept trying to talk to her at each site of grace, and after you try a few times she talks to you.
Was this filmed pre-patch with the NPC map marker add in?
It's def pre patch because they mentioned the nephelia quest still not having an ending (which was due to a bug that got patched)
I honestly don’t think the repeat bosses are a detriment. I mean a couple more to replace some of the most heavily reused bosses, but I don’t think I’d want to learn an entire new boss every time I finish a dungeon or fight an over world boss. The amount of memorization and learning that many bosses would would be too much of a chore. So for that reason alone, I’m actually happy that many are used multiple times, slowly learning different moves as you go.
Hopefully we all know now that the Nephelle quest line is all figured out...?
And the reward is worth it 😁
Regarding Ranni’s quest, I stumbled through Ranni’s quest simply by talking to her after beating Radahn and then just explored. I got into that coffin because I was exploring that era after Lake of Rot and came across the coffin and said “fuck it” and got in.
Damn they got Cowboy in the house👌
The fact Cowboy got Dragon Lord Placidusax more than likely world first is insane.
When was this recorded? They did patch more of Nepheli and Kenneth Haight's quest. Now they'll move into the throne room at Stormveil. It just wasn't in the game before. Regarding Rykard, I mean- if you killed Rykard and nothing changed in Volcano Manor, you'd think that was weird and disappointing, right? Of course it changes things in the area.
You cannot kill the demihuman queen in the forest for the Kenneth quest. He is looking for the her after you save him.
I love these guys talking about the difficulty aspect or not of Malenia and talking about their summons lol
Cowboy is very knowledgbale, but also just a great guy! Great he was on well done Dustin and Matty
Edlin Ring is a fantastic game. I think it's a safe bet that this will be my game of the year. I highly recommend that you check this game out if you haven't already done so.
My biggest holy crap moment was the Jellyfish quest. I thought it was gonna be something similar to ds3 ringed city where you have to transform so I kept trying to transform into a jellyfish but it wouldn’t work. Then I figured “why not just summon this jellyfish I have” and then boom sisters reunited. Such a beautiful moment.
the shunning grounds isn't "poorly balanced", it's a stealth area with patrolling enemies and a damage check at the end and if you don't have the damage for that part you can use the pipes to your advantage to get past the three omens.
Nepheli ends up back in Godrick's Chamber with Kenneth Haight and Gostoc. Just finished that quest up. She is now the ruler of Limgrave in my game. Also Gostoc sold me a sick Ancient Dragon upgrade tablet, hope you guys didn't kill him.
Looked it up and Blaidd is the Welsh word for wolf.
Dammmmnnn can someone ask Cowboy where he got that art behind him?!?! I don’t care for art n posters n stuff.... but those are SICK. Also, Cowboy is the only reason I was able to play Sekiro. And Nioh 2. And Old Hunters DLC. Over a hundred hours of enjoyment that I wouldn’t have had without him (I tried. I’m Too bad at these games).
Definitely the most accessible. If you are struggling, I highly suggest you check out FightinCowboy's hybrid caster build. So much fun and gives you lots of freedom in how you want to approach the game. You got some sorceries, incantations and a very powerful melee option as well.
I had 0 technical issues on a Series S. I wonder how many people have played it on that system..
I have clips from pre patch of me and my mimic wrecking malenia with the rivers of blood. Both phases lol. It was honestly silly if you timed it right
Yeah Siofra first reveal blew me away, followed by the Fire giant 2nd phase.
Did y'all hear that lyndyll sewers had some randomized components
From a few different reviewers, they said the game ran much better on PC before the Day 1 patch so it's hard to fault them if that was the case as their review scores for PC were based on that. I can see it being hard to dock a game for performance issues as well if the developer says that will be fixed on Day 1 so you could give a game a lower score for something no player will experience.
The lord of limgrave quest is resolved now, you just have to wait till morgot is defeated
I'm here for cowboy!!!
Margit killed me more than any boss in any souls game. I fought Godrick at the same level and 3 tries to clear. Little did I know what awaited me in Leyndell.
Reusing assets is anti crunch. Devs should 100% use their own ip as content.
Malenia is super hard for some builds, but especially if you find her underleveled. I didn't get a lot of staggers which make her a nightmare unless you use bloodhound step on her anime attack.
Also, with a mimic she can be easily staggered, but without a second ally and a weapon that doesn't stagger, she is really tough without bloodhound step and no shield.
I just beat this game last night and it was a really good game. I do have some gripes with it that for me makes this a 9/10 game, but overall a really solid experience that you can get lost in for a while.
33:00 in Demon's Souls Fool Idol's Boss Fight you have to kill the NPC first, without the internet I wouldn't have figured it out because I don't kill NPCs; also I originally thought you had to roll through the Tower Bolt section instead of turning it off from the back... fax!!!
Love Fighting Cowboy 🤠
My main gripe on PC: It seems silly that I have to log in in order to quit the game. Who made this interface? Why do so many games do this? When I say "QUIT" I want to quit, not return to the title page. Stop wasting my time!
Oh, and tell me in the interface what each of the damned Rune things are worth!
holy shit, Cowboy!
i also killed Rykard before i finished the Volcano Manor quests. that was my only real fuck up besides letting those damn 3 fingers hug me and lock me into the bad ending, but luckily i got miquellas needle to fix that.
I'm excited for this tho I'm not sure if I wanna wait till I beat the game to listen
No big spoilers in it luckily. I haven't beat it yet either but nothing that ruined anything for me, though probably wouldn't listen if you haven't played like 40 hrs so far
@@MrSammyg22 okay great, so I'll give it a listen then. I've got about 50 hours in but I've only beaten the one castle boss and then a bunch of exploring and side bosses
Biggest reason I can do this game and bounced off the dark souls games is the stakes of Maria and generous grace sites. That grind of getting back to a boss to die learning the moves was infuriating.
About quests, I do enjoy the mystery and the willingness of FromSoft to allow you to miss things - it's refreshing given every other mainstream RPG on the market. That said, I'd be okay with more direction, but it would have to be minimal and natural. Like Cowboy said - just the NPCs saying "I'm heading north" and maybe a note about that would be enough. About reused enemies/bosses, I 100% agree with Matty in that while it's fair to be fatigued by running into certain bosses again, it could almost be called greed to broadly criticise enemy reuse. The size of the game and the amount of content shocked us all, and yet it still has bonkers variety. Given how substantial the game is, I can forgive a few bosses becoming regular enemies.
I don't get it. I have had NO ISSUES, performance wise on PC. None at all. Running it on a 3080, and i have over 80hours on my character.
Not sure why that's the case tho 🤔
damn now I have to hurry up and finish it. I've just played 75 hours
I’ve played and beat Demons Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. I found Elden Ring to be way way easier than the other games. With the Marika statues and the abundance of graces, I felt like this was a much smoother experience with only 2 or 3 bosses giving me trouble.
I consider Elden ring a top 3 game all time. sitting their with ff6 and link to the past
There is zero way you can find Rkyard without completing the quest line unless you looked up a guide or something. Don't you just teleport to the place?
Elden ring finally scratched that Morrowind itch I’ve had for 10+ years
Elden ring is great I always loved the dark souls games but didn't like when you may only have one or 2 ways to go if you got stuck.that doesn't happen in elden ring.after 100 hours I still find new things
There is very little problems on playstation.only thing I noticed was some popin if riding horse fast
150 hours in on Xbox, and haven't had even one technical issue
im a man of simple taste, if i see FightinCowboy i watch.
wow I havent seen dusty d in a minute and he is going full on w that beard...loving it man!
Rennala, dagger only. Go!
Fighting Cowboy is the GOAT! Amazing Souls player.
Let's go!!!
Best game I played for the last 5 years, hand down.
I love the options in Elden Ring, so many different play styles that offer different levels of challenge. The game is what you make of it.
Very easy: sorcery/bleed + summons
Easy: melee + summons
Normal: sorcery/bleed no summons
Hard: melee no summons
Very hard: naked wretch
After the patches, you could probably swap easy and normal with bleed and sorcery being super op.
The game is more approachable in my opinion than prior FromSoftware games. However you must have patience, whether you’re playing the game the intended way or you wanna be OP from the start, the option is there but both require patience. Farming can take a few hours of your time but if you want you can make yourself OP early making fights much more manageable.
I played on the Series X and my experience was butter smooth too. The dragons would sometimes go on top of rocks that I didn't think the should but It didn't mess us the first or experience. No major issues that wouldn't make it a 10/10 imo but I cant speak on behave of the PC community and act like their issues aren't valid and should be spoken about, addressed, or part of the PC review because it dose seem we should review things based on console and pc (two separate reviews then)
It’s selfish not to use summons? Never heard that one before. 😅