I just beat Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and although it was fantastic, I can't help but feel kinda empty now that its done. There was so much content, such a big world to explore, so much to see and do, and now its over. I don't know if there's going to be another DLC, from what I can tell there probably won't, and that makes it all the more bittersweet.
Elden Ring has been such an emotional journey for me. From when it was first teased back in 2019, before me and Isaac had even started dating; over 5 years ago, back in March of 2019 was when I first heard about it. At the time, the rumor had it that the game would be called "Great Rune", and would be heavily inspired by norse mythology. I read every single leak, watched every single video, and was beyond excited for the game's eventual release. And when it finally did come out, it far surpassed my expectations, and became my favorite game of 2022. But after I beat it, I felt this same emptiness, if less strong. I didn't know what was next, but I knew there was almost certainly going to be a DLC or two over the horizon. But now, with no plans to make another DLC in mind, Elden Ring might truly be over. Sure, I haven't gotten all of the achievements to the game, I'm still missing 5, but I don't think I want them. I saw everything there was to see, I did most everything there was to do, and I feel empty.
There's something unique about the emptiness I feel with Elden Ring, something that other games don't quite have. Morrowind, my favorite game, I've beaten hundreds of times, and none of those playthroughs made me feel empty. Same with Skyrim, or Daggerfall, or any Elder Scrolls game. There was more to see after the main quest was done; the world was not dead and gone, but still alive and breathing. Sure, my journey had ended, but the world kept on going. Dragon Age felt the same way, as did Baldur's Gate 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and so many others. Even Dark Souls didn't feel so empty after I finished it; none of the Souls' games, in fact. Something is unique about Elden Ring. Perhaps its just how huge it is, and just how much time and energy it takes to beat the game? So many deaths, so many failed attempts, such a huge world? So when its all done, and I've finally achieved my goal, I'm left with nothing? Where Elder Scrolls or Fallout, or even Far Cry, it feels like the world keeps on going after you leave it, and all you have to do is launch the game again if you want to visit for a little while. Not so with Elden Ring. Instead, the game's world largely exists in a state of decay; everything is dead and dying, and you're visiting just at the end of its life, killing the former Gods of the world. Sure, all the other Fromsoftware titles like Dark Souls are the same in that respect, but Elden Ring is unique. In the other Souls' games, the linearity inherent to a non-open world game means that the end of the experience feels like a satisfying narrative arch. I went through the heroes journey, went the distance, beat the bad guys, and won, what little it is that you win at the end of those games. But with Elden Ring, it feels like there should be something more. Such a massive world, with so many characters, stories, and adventures, its just begging to carry on after you leave, yet its dying. Once you win, the game is over, and the world too must be over. Sure, you can start the game up again, play a new game, live that adventure again, but you can feel the artifice. With Skyrim, it feels almost as if you are coming back to a familiar place, seeing old friends, going on familiar adventures, and even living a life in a simulated world. In Elden Ring, it feels like watching home movies of a loved one lost.
This is all to say that Elden Ring makes me feel empty. But that's good, I think. Games don't need to fulfill you, or make you happy. Sometimes the point is to make you sad; contemplative; considerate. Considerate of decay, and that once we leave this world, it may go on without you, but you will get to know.
For now, this is goodbye, Elden Ring. I enjoyed the fights, loved dressing up in all the fancy armor, trying out all the cool new weapons. I will think about you often, and in a couple years, I'll come back and play you again. Maybe I will have forgotten how empty you made me.
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