One Elden Ring Mod Should Finally Put the Lid on the Game's Biggest Can of Worms (2024)

Two years later, Elden Ring is still one of the most talked about games around, especially since the recent release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Elden Ring has proven itself to be one of FromSoftware's most successful games yet, but it is also a notorious challenge. FromSoftware games are no walk in the park, and Elden Ring brings the developer's known difficulty front and center.

While some players love the intense challenge, others claim that the difficulty of Soulslike games alienates potential players who may not be as apt at white-knuckle combat. Mastering Elden Ring is no easy feat, but one popular mod could finally bring this long-running difficulty debate to rest. Elden Ring's Reforged mod brings difficulty levels to the game, and it could serve as a great blueprint for the future of FromSoftware games.

Elden Ring Reforged Could Prove Whether the Game Actually Needs Difficulty Options or Not

Bringing Elden Ring to Varying Skill Levels

The Elden Ring Reforged mod gives players far more control over how they experience the game. Reforged has a lot of fun with the base game, especially when it comes to side content, but one of the biggest draws is the mod's main difficulty choices.

• Relaxed Mode
• Easy Mode
• Reforged Mode (default difficulty)
• Adept Mode
• Hard Mode
• Master Mode

While Reforged Mode offers players Elden Rings' default difficulty, the other modes provide players of differing skill levels and preferences with some more flexible options. Despite the game being one of the biggest hits in recent years, there are still Elden Ring players who want more from the game, and Reforged makes that possible. While Relaxed Mode and Easy mode lower the enemy stats and raise player stats, Adept, Hard, and Master Mode all modify the respective stats to present a more harrowing challenge.

There are still plenty of surprises for Elden Ring players to discover, and adding different difficulties to that mix can really shed a new light on the game. Even better, these balance changes don't stop more skilled players from enjoying the game. There could be an initial thought that offering difficulty options could ruin the FromSoftware experience, and although that is a solid point, Reforged also offers plenty to the more hardcore players. Adept, Hard, and Master mode are no laughing matter, which only helps the argument that Elden Ring and future FromSoftware games should feature varying difficulties. This feature doesn't solely lower the threshold for gamers who may not be as skilled at the developer's combat mechanics. It can also make it an insane challenge.

Elden Ring Continues FromSoftware's Embrace of Daunting Combat

On the one hand, it could be said that the singular difficulty of FromSoftware's games makes them stand out, and that is true. However, there are plenty of players who crave an even more sweat-inducing challenge. Many Elden Ring players are always raising the stakes for themselves, which shows a need for higher difficulty options. If Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles could benefit from higher difficulty levels, then adding lower levels would only make the game more popular, as well. The worlds that FromSoftware is so well known for crafting bring some beautiful lore and stories to life, and players of varying skill levels deserve to experience that.

However, it is more likely that FromSoftware will stick to its guns when it comes to one set difficulty. If the developer hasn't eased up since the genesis of the Soulslike genre in the 2000s, then a change as drastic as giving players difficulty options feels out of the question. However, thanks to mods like Reforged, players are able to see for themselves if Elden Ring actually works well with these options or not.

Elden Ring

RPG

See Also

Predicting The Next FromSoftware Game After Elden Ring

Action

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:95/100 Critics Recommend:98%

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

58 Hours

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

X|S Enhanced

yes

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Cross Save

no

Cross-Platform Play

PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

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