It's safe to say that Elden Ring is one of the most anticipated games in demanding gaming circles. It's not an unfounded exaggeration, either, as Japanese studio FromSoftware has garnered a loyal following through games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, games praised for their brilliant gameplay mechanics and almost relentlessly brutal gameplay. It's a game that excites me a lot, but I hope others can too. I'm not interested in repeating the tired arguments that resurface every time a hard difficulty game is released. Instead, I want to point out that FromSoftware is able to keep your artistic vision intact while providing meaningful accessibility options. The industry as a whole is getting better at this to some degree. It's rare to see a great AAA game launch without colorblind options or subtitle size settings, but there's so much more, options that would be particularly significant in a game based on a rewarding experience thanks to tough opposition. In particular, I'd point to Gears 5 and The Last of Us Part 2 as stellar examples of great games that offer accessibility options. A few things above the basics would be a good start, like audio cues for those with poor eyesight that might get lost and otherwise be unable to respond to specific animations with incredibly small windows, or vice versa. Small visual icons for players that are hard to hear, so they never feel at a disadvantage when fighting the various monsters, dragons, and demigods the developers have in store. FromSoftware has some of the most brilliant game designers out there, so I'm sure they can find different options that would allow people who don't meet the same physical requirements to still enjoy the game. I want to see Elden Ring played by as many people as possible, including disabled gamers who may have been careful before tackling this studio's games in recent years. They deserve to be treated on an equal footing with others who are already part of the FromSoftware audience. The only way to do that is by providing them with specific options. Thematically, it makes sense that this game would also be a jumping off point for inclusion. While the reveal trailer makes it clear that Elden Ring draws from past influences from various games, particularly Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, this is also something new. A new beginning of a world for players to explore, a world that was written in part by Song of Ice and Fire author George RR Martin, that will no doubt appeal to many curious newcomers. Now is the perfect time to be as welcoming as possible. There are many meme phrases that are often abused and enthusiastically adopted by the "Soulsborne" crowd (myself included), such as Git Gud and Jolly Cooperation. The latter in particular is a rallying cry for gaming, as veteran players help guide newcomers. With four-player co-op confirmed as part of Elden Ring, we're not going to achieve true joyous co-op unless as many players as possible are included in this exciting new world. offerings from these top retailers:
