Elden Ring Includes Map Markers and Platforming, New Screenshots Revealed

New previews for FromSoftware’s Elden Ring have started going live along with four new images. The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley tweeted out the screenshots and confirmed that the game was on track for its release in January 2022. Check them out below.

Meanwhile, Polygon provided some interesting new details in is preview, noting that you’d be able to place markers on the map when traversing to places. While dungeons and castles will be encountered, you may suddenly be attacked by a dragon as well. Areas range from a swamp-filled region to a flooded city (along with the previously seen forests and snow-covered plains).

A wide variety of threats can be expected from massive knights to foes with multiple arms. One of the crazier foes is a large falcon that will attack with swords, peck at the player and even toss explosive kegs. Players can summon help, whether it’s in the form of other players or AI spirits. It also seems that, in addition to discovering spirits in the world, some vanquished foes can be summoned later as allies.

Those used to platforming in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice should also take note – there will be plenty of that here. For instance, when infiltrating Stormwind Castle, you can either go through the front gates and face a hail of arrows or take a side path that involves sneaking and jumping. Plenty of enemies will also be present but in some cases, like a giant troll that’s encountered, you can catch it by surprise, opting to use a sleep arrow and safely bypass it.

Some familiar combat mechanics from Bloodborne are also prevalent, like dashing, while it’s possible to reduce an enemy’s stance and inflict critical damage not unlike Sekiro’s deathblows. Lost Light sites will serve as your means for fast travel while a young woman named Melina assists in learning new abilities and leveling up, much like Dark Souls. At this point, Elden Ring looks like a smorgasbord of FromSoftware’s greatest hits and we’re all about it.

Elden Ring is out on January 21st 2022 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

https://twitter.com/geoffkeighley/status/1431240090475327490