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Elden ring co op review: the good, the bad, the ugly

Elden Ring Co-Op Review | Gameplay Laughter Meets Technical Woes

By

Jennifer Lee

Apr 17, 2025, 07:02 PM

Edited By

Carlos Gomez

Updated

Apr 19, 2025, 01:45 AM

2 minutes of duration

A thrilling moment from Elden Ring's co-op gameplay showing players strategizing together
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A wave of commentary has emerged surrounding the co-op mod for Elden Ring, drawing a mix of enjoyment and critique from players experiencing the game's quirks together. Many highlight both the joy of shared experiences and the technical issues that frequently disrupt gameplay.

The Co-Op Experience: A Rollercoaster

Players have turned to forums to voice their mixed feelings on the co-op experience in Elden Ring, a game known for its rugged challenges. With a third-party mod, they share their highs and lows, peppered with laughter and frustration.

The Good: Joy in Shared Gameplay

Notably, players have found hilarity in their shared struggles. "Dying was a slapstick comedy," remarked one gamer, recounting a laughable incident involving a rat sending their partner tumbling. Increased camaraderie has been a highlight, with players noting that exploration often feels renewed and exhilarating.

"Every discovery was met with wonder and joy," one player stated, highlighting the thrill of adventures as a duo.

Interestingly, the mod allows for offline play, leading to fewer invasions, which some prefer for a more straightforward experience. Though the mod is primarily remembered for its chaos, this aspect seems to enhance enjoyment for many.

The Bad: Challenge Diminished

On the flip side, some players expressed concern that co-op play diminishes the authentic FromSoftware challenge. "Even the hardest boss in the game took us about four tries," noted one player, who lamented the lack of catharsis typical of a solo win. Participants reported needing to switch tactics frequently, diminishing the thrill of discovering which builds work best against certain bosses.

The Ugly: Ongoing Technical Issues

Technical glitches create significant barriers. Players describe issues like horse desyncing, with steeds disappearing mid-play. Restarting the game has become a familiar ritual. One player explained, "Desyncing would force us to restart at least once a session."

Some forum-goers also discussed configuration settings for the mod, suggesting that increasing boss posture scaling could improve balance. "The default should be higher than just 20% per player," one noted, expressing a strong desire for an enhanced challenge.

Key Highlights

  • โœจ Laughter enriches the gameplay experience.

  • โš”๏ธ Authentic challenge feels compromised in co-op.

  • ๐Ÿ’ป Technical glitches like desyncing persist, risking immersion.

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Offline mode reduces invasions, offering a slight reprieve.

As players share their stories and experiences navigating the co-op mod, many remain optimistic about the balance between humor and technical shortcomings in Elden Ring's expansive world. Will developers introduce a more stable co-op feature in the future? Only time will tell.