FromSoftware is synonymous with challenging games. The studio's games are designed in a way that tests players' skills, wits, and patience. If you round up a list of all the most difficult games in the world, Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, would all be a part of it. But, for Elden Ring, FromSoftware is hoping to switch things up.
Game director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, explained in a PlayStation Blog interview that while Elden Ring will remain difficult, FromSoftware designed the game to give players multiple options in order to put off more demanding enemies until much later on.
Not to mention, Miyazaki added that the studio wanted to make Elden Ring more accessible. Specifically, Miyazaki added that FromSoftware did not try to "make things hard for the sake of it" and that he doesn't want players to "feel like the game is unfairly punishing."
Of course, it remains to be seen if Miyazaki's words will ring true. FromSoftware's track record doesn't exactly bode well for gamers who want to explore at a "leisurely pace." Then again, one way to spin what Miyazaki stated is that Elden Ring will be more of the same, only better.