Elden Ring successfully brings many new features to FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games. Although it maintains the traditional toughness, it also adds new features such as Ashes Summons and Stakes of Marika, which respawn players closer to their point of death to make the game more accessible for newcomers. However, the most noticeable way in which Elden Ring differs from its predecessors is that it implements a beautifully crafted and incredibly rewarding open world for the first time. Its minimalistic approach has been largely praised, and rightly so, but this is not the game’s best new feature. That honor goes to something much simpler.
Unlike previous Soulsborne games, Elden Ring allows players to jump. FromSoftware introduced this mechanic in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, as the game’s focus was on ninja-style combat. Elden Ring, however, allows players of all classes, from the heavy Vagabond to the nimble Samurai, to jump for the first time. This addition is the game’s best new feature since it enhances both the exploration and combat, while also bringing a new dimension to the gameplay.
How The Jump Button Enhances Elden Ring’s Exploration
Elden Ring‘s jump button is its best new feature as it enhances the open world experience to elevate it, quite literally, to new heights. The jump button, and especially Torrent’s double jump ability, opens up the world in new and exciting ways as players can climb cliffsides, ruins and buildings that were inaccessible in previous Soulsborne titles. The Lands Between is designed with this at the forefront, rewarding players with hidden secrets, powerful weapons and valuable items for adventuring beyond the beaten path. Without the jump feature, Elden Ring‘s open world would not be the overwhelming success that it is.
This new sense of verticality also means players can find new paths to progress throughout the game. For example, a heavily guarded castle can instead be infiltrated by jumping across branches or rooftops to sneak inside. Not only is it incredibly satisfying to sneak around the back and take enemies out from behind, but it also adds to the uniqueness of each playthrough, as players can discover multiple approaches to the same problem.
How The Jump Button Improves Elden Ring’s Combat
Challenging combat loops have always been a staple of Soulsborne games and Elden Ring is no different. With the ability to jump, however, Elden Ring‘s combat feels better than ever. Jumping into an attack can break opponents’ stances and open them up for enthralling critical hits. It also opens up low-flying monsters to melee attacks, as players can launch themselves into the air to knock these foes to the ground.
The jump feature works defensively as well. Players can jump to dodge incoming attacks, whether that be a low sword swipe or a magical wave. Mounted combat further makes use of this addition since Torrent’s double jump enables players to fully leap over enemies before swiftly attacking from behind. Combining this feature with more traditional attacks, dodge rolls and blocks means that Elden Ring‘s combat feels exciting and varied throughout.
How The Jump Button Brings A New Dimension To Elden Ring’s Gameplay
Finally, the jump button has allowed FromSoftware to branch its gameplay beyond its action-adventure RPG roots. Elden Ring introduces many platforming elements too, bringing new challenges for players to overcome. For example, players can jump between narrow branches and rooftops to reach new places. Not only do these lead to hidden areas, but often they are also required as part of the main storyline. This platforming experience brings a new type of challenge to the series, as one wrong jump can spell the end for the Tarnished, whereas several well-timed jumps can be hugely rewarding.
Although Elden Ring isn’t the first FromSoftware game to include a jump button, it is the first time it has included it in an RPG, allowing players of all classes and builds to experience this newfound freedom. The ability to jump impacts Elden Ring in such a variety of ways, from revolutionizing exploration and combat to adding a new dimension to the gameplay, that it’s set a benchmark for future FromSoftware games.
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