Elden Ring has earned massive praise for its expansive open world, deep lore, and challenging gameplay. But even with its accolades, the game has made a number of design choices that have divided the player base. Some love these elements for their boldness and difficulty, while others feel they hinder the experience. From its unique progression system to its cryptic storytelling, Elden Ring is not afraid to break the mold. One core mechanic that sits at the center of both praise and criticism is the use of Elden Ring Runes, the game’s primary currency for leveling up, purchasing items, and upgrading equipment.
Understanding the role of Elden Ring Runes is essential to grasping why some players find the game’s economy unforgiving. Runes are earned by defeating enemies, bosses, and completing various in-game tasks. However, if you die, you drop all your accumulated runes and must return to your death spot to retrieve them—failing to do so results in losing them permanently. This risk-reward system adds tension to every battle, but also leads to frustration, especially when players lose thousands of runes due to a mistimed dodge or surprise enemy attack.
One of the most divisive questions among players is: what are the runes for in Elden Ring? At a glance, they serve a similar function to souls in previous FromSoftware titles. But in Elden Ring’s massive open world, the rune system becomes even more complex. Players use runes for virtually everything—leveling up attributes like Vigor and Strength, buying crafting materials, and improving weapons. The result is a constant pressure to manage resources carefully. Critics argue this leads to grinding and punishes exploration, while defenders believe it adds depth and meaningful consequences to the gameplay.
Another hot topic is the lack of a traditional quest log. Many modern RPG players are used to tracking objectives through a clearly defined journal. Elden Ring, in contrast, requires players to remember details of conversations and piece together objectives themselves. Some find this immersive and rewarding, but others see it as needlessly opaque and frustrating, especially for those without the time to take notes or scour wikis.
The absence of difficulty settings is also a long-standing point of contention. Elden Ring maintains a one-size-fits-all approach to challenge, demanding that all players adapt to its learning curve. This design choice continues FromSoftware’s tradition but raises questions about accessibility. While some celebrate the purity of the experience, others wish for at least some options to customize difficulty or assist with particularly tough bosses.
Multiplayer integration in Elden Ring also receives mixed reviews. Summoning other players for co-op or facing off in PvP is exciting and often essential for tough battles, yet the system’s reliance on in-game items and vague mechanics turns many away. The need to use items like the Furlcalling Finger Remedy just to see summon signs can be confusing, and the matchmaking isn’t always reliable.
In the end, Elden Ring’s most controversial design choices highlight its commitment to player agency and immersion, even at the cost of clarity or convenience. While these elements spark ongoing debate, they also contribute to what makes the game stand out. Whether players embrace or reject these mechanics, there’s no denying they’ve played a major role in shaping the conversation around one of the most talked-about titles in recent memory.