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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 390 | Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Review Discussion and Spoilercast

🕑 Added 2024-07-06 16:00:11 +0000 UTC

Comments

Luke Oliveto

Not gonna lie, it was pretty frustrating listening to brad completely misunderstand Gene's point on Fromsoft's boss design after he very clearly explained what he meant over and over again

Andrew

They handle the story fine. It's what From fans like. Just because YOU don't like it, doesn't mean it's bad.

The Rose Experience

I think Gene wore Brad and Dustin out on this with the lore. Gene’s passion for the game is palpable, I respect and admire it but here’s the issue: Almost all of what Gene is glowing about isn’t garnered by people playing the game, it’s from YouTubers and the like who do the work for the people who play, who then watch lore videos just to understand Souls games story and characters. No other group of games would get the leeway with their story like this, it’s hypocritical as is so much of the critical discussion around Souls games. I’ll admit it’s intelligent in so far as it being an ancillary narrative tool, but having to do this just to get anything out of Elden Ring’s story shouldn’t be applauded This isn’t a referendum on if FROM games are good or not, they are, but how it handles story is insufficient at best. It’s not good storytelling at all, not when players have to piece meal it and run to YouTube just to get a semblance of the goings on of the world. We can admit these games are great while also admitting some of the things they’re doing could be improved. UI, UX, yes a pause button and story. The average player is not figuring out these side quests without someone doing it for them and you just copying that. Again, that’s just not great design and no one says a thing about it.

Josh Bennett

I think the reason souls games are so good with exploration is because they actually let you explore. They don’t hold your hand. I’m in my 40s and I grew up with games just letting you play. Explore the game. It not telling you specifically what to do or where to go. Maybe giving slight hints etc. as gaming evolved we got hit with way points. Literal golden paths showing us were to go. Literally holding our hands. Souls games basically said fuck that. So everything you find is natural and feels like you actually discovered it.

Josh Bennett

Just pause your children

Josh Bennett

Ya know. I think Youre right

Jason

Gene is like the stereotypical valley girl who habitually abuses the word "like", except he does it with "you know?" EVERY GOD DAMN SENTENCE he ends with "you know?"

Ryan

I haven’t been able to beat the DLC because of my disability (my children) and that I can’t pause the game 😢

Ice Slice

Obviously, he doesn't play that many so it isn't hard to narrow down

Johnny Lamotte

Gene is a legend man 😂

Suce Mes Orteils

Is the JRPG Dustin talking about P5R at 1:43:00 ?

Lymus

I also did the whole DLC with DMGS. I beat my head on the final boss for 10-12 hours, got him to 5% so many times, even learned Phase 1 enough to be able to do it with 0-1 Flask uses. Phase 2 is such a cacophony of bullshit though, if it weren't for the flashbangs and fps drops it would only be half as bad. I did beat him in the end with the DMGS but it was quite the headache. I made a backup save to try some various is builds. Shiled + poke is really easy in comparison. Or as Dustin said a big stagger weapon. Or even one of the cheesy spell builds like the new bleed Thorn spell killed him in like 5 casts. I'm a little bit proud to have done it with DMGS but in retrospect i could've saved so much headache and more importantly time if i respecc'd and wasn't as stubborn.

NeO JD

Gene taking shots at Neil! 😅

NeO JD

I’ve tried but like Colin, I lack the patience. Still easy listening.

NeO JD

She’s not wrong.

Cormac

Haven’t played the DLC, don’t plan on for awhile, I just finished my first playthrough of ER and got the plat so need a break. I don’t mind spoilers for FromSoft games for some reason so this was a great listen. Three of ye have great chats about FS games. Would love if ye would revisit other FS games like Bloodborne or Sekiro for a SS+ at some stage. So many games that ye haven’t had a chance to talk about because of when LSM started.

Michael Mashpotato

Update: I beat him with a perfectly timed mimic. I took off my armor and used my moonlight sword and finally made it happen🙌

Draven E.

Needs a pause button 6/10 😂

Meatball

I have never played a FromSoftware game and have no interest in doing so. Still gonna listen to this whole thing 😎

A Hind D

LFG

Michael Mashpotato

I started the final boss yesterday. I’m 3 hours into this fucker. I just got home from a half day. Im giving myself until tomorrow before summoning my mimic. So I’ll be listening to this whole show while trying to finish the game. Wish me luck 😭