Home
/
AAA games
/
AAA game reviews
/

Why elden ring's difficulty feels artificial compared to dark souls

Gamers Raise Concerns About Elden Ring Difficulty | Players Comparing Past Titles

By

Rachel Kim

Dec 18, 2025, 01:15 AM

Edited By

Samir Patel

3 minutes of duration

A player sits at a gaming desk, frustrated while playing Elden Ring, showing a dark fantasy landscape on the screen with challenging bosses in view.
popular

A growing number of players are questioning the difficulty level in Elden Ring, with many claiming it feels artificial compared to previous Dark Souls titles. Players report unexpected struggles with regular enemies, revealing a potential divide in gameplay experiences.

As players dive deeper into the game, discussions on forums highlight a mixture of frustration and adaptation. One player shared, "It feels like complete shit at how much damage they do," pointing to a significant increase in enemy power. After defeating major bosses like Godrick and Radahn, the challenge remains high even against basic foes, raising eyebrows in the community.

Analysis of Player Experiences

Three main themes emerged from the comments:

  1. Enemy Scaling Issues: Many players speculate about the scaling system within different zones. One comment mentioned, "the areas can be scaled very differently," indicating that higher-level zones feature much tougher enemies, leading to a heightened sense of danger.

  2. Build Adaptation: Several players suggested adapting builds to better suit the gameโ€™s mechanics. A comment advised, "Gotta pump those numbers up, friend," emphasizing the need to adjust player stats beyond the traditional expectations from earlier games in the franchise.

  3. Skill Factor: The term "skill issue" appeared repeatedly, with some noting that regular enemies can be treacherous if players neglect their strategy. Reportedly, "regular enemies can be just as deadly as bosses if youโ€™re not careful," illuminating a potential shift in gameplay strategies.

"Seems more a build issue than the game honestly," said one player, reflecting on the varied responses surrounding gameplay challenges.

Community Sentiment

Responses reflect a mix of frustration and constructive criticism. Many players believe that the game rewards versatile strategies and adaptability, while others feel left behind by its mechanics. Some gamers are taking the opportunity to learn and evolve their gaming approach:

  • โ—‰ "The game is a lot bigger, and the softcaps are higher."

  • โ—‰ "If youโ€™re clinging to your build too much, you might be limiting yourself."

  • โ—‰ "The areas directly after the Capital feel like a steep increase from what came before."

Engaging the Future

As discussions evolve, the diverse opinions underline the dynamic nature of Elden Ring and its community. How will players adapt as they progress, and will developers respond to these observations?

Whether they choose to adjust strategies or rely on traditional methods, one thing is clear: the challenge of Elden Ring continues to spark lively debate among long-time fans and newcomers alike.

What Lies Ahead for Gamers?

Going forward, there's a strong chance that developers will take note of player feedback and make adjustments in upcoming patches. Many players are vocal about their desire for balanced enemy scaling and better mechanics to accommodate various builds. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that adjustments will be made to enhance fairness and player experience. As player discussions evolve, itโ€™s likely that strategies will also shift, pushing both casual and competitive gamers to innovate their gameplay styles further to adapt to the game's challenges.

A Surprising Echo from History

Consider the rise of the fitness tracker explosion in the early 2010s. Many fitness enthusiasts embraced the technology, only to later voice frustration over inaccuracies and perceived artificial challenges. This sparked a wave of discussions that mirrored current sentiments around Elden Ring. Just as fitness communities adapted to more precise metrics and developed innovative personal strategies to reach their goals, so too will Elden Ring players likely find new pathways to tackle the game's difficulties. The thread connecting these two phenomena lies in human resilience and the innate drive to overcome obstacles through community engagement and personal growth.