Elden is really an experience where you can see the bits and pieces of influences from other games in the look and feel of the action, but at best it struggles to really come together well. This is the sort of adventure where you’ll need to do some dodging, slashing, and spell casting to knock out enemies, find items, and solve some pretty simple environmental puzzles, but I find it hard to say that it’s satisfying. One issue is certainly the lack of a clear story or even much direction of any kind, from the start you’ll just venture out and begin trying to survive, trying each of the buttons to work out what you have to work with along with a few occasional but limited pointers from the game. The use of the second stick for aiming your spells does make sense in practice but feels awkward overall in its only occasional use, and on the whole combat is then a mix of casting spells that are a bit wonky in terms of hitting enemies, careful dodging, and slashing… but it’s all pretty generic. Perhaps if the somewhat vintage and unique art style draws you in the experience may connect but there are just better games in this vein out there to spend your money and time on.