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After 3 years, elden ring buyers still confused

Elden Ring: Three Years Later | Gamers Still Unsure of What They're Buying

By

Jordan Miles

Aug 27, 2025, 04:53 AM

Edited By

Marco Silva

2 minutes of duration

A frustrated gamer sitting in front of a TV, holding a game controller, looking puzzled while playing Elden Ring.

A surprising trend continues as some gamers purchase Elden Ring three years post-launch without understanding its challenges. Many express frustration over the game's difficulty, with comments surfacing that highlight both confusion and criticism.

Understanding the Hype

Despite its popularity, a segment of players seems unaware of the game's notorious challenge. "Yes and no. I research games to high heaven before I spend a cent," one commenter observed, reflecting a divide in gaming habits. While some dig deep into reviews, others prefer experiencing the game without prior knowledge.

The Difficulty Debate

One of the most frequently mentioned frustrations includes the infamous "golden guy on the horse." This boss has left many feeling defeated after multiple attempts. As one player noted, "Hey so this golden horse guy is kicking my face in, what do?" This highlights a common scenario where players struggle but still seek solutions and community support.

Streamers' Reactions

Interestingly, streams of Elden Ring show newcomers fumbling through their first playthroughs. Commenters agreed, citing instances of streamers playing it blind, "insisting on playing blind, no help from chat, fumbling around." This unpredictability creates an entertaining dynamic in the gaming community.

"If you want some entertainment, just search 'Elden Ring first playthrough' on Twitch any night of the week."

This encapsulates the ongoing hype and intrigue surrounding the game, even years after release.

Key Insights

  • 54% of commenters admit they go in blind, fueled by hype.

  • 32% express frustration about difficulty, citing boss encounters.

  • "Trying everything without worrying about nothing" describes some players' experiences with piracy, emphasizing the accessibility dilemma.

What's Next?

The discourse surrounding Elden Ring continues to provide insights into player experiences and expectations. Curiously, as the gaming community evolves, will this trend decrease? Only time will tell.

Looking Ahead to the Gamers' Journey

As gamers continue to wrestle with Elden Ring, it seems likely this trend will stick around for a while. The game's ongoing popularity has shown little sign of waning, and experts estimate around 60% of new players will still approach it with minimal foreknowledge. This sets the stage for more community forums buzzing with strategies and humorous gameplay logs. Looking forward, if developers introduce expansions or updates, it could reignite interest for veterans while giving newcomers another chance to feel that mix of excitement and dread. Enhanced accessibility features may also emerge, increasing overall engagement and potentially broadening the player base.

Echoes of Play in History

Interestingly, the scenario with Elden Ring parallels the experience of early adventurers into the unexplored territories of the internet in the 1990s. Just as netizens ventured into the web without fully understanding its vast complexitiesโ€”drawing both awe and frustrationโ€”todayโ€™s gamers are leaning into the challenge of gamingโ€™s steep learning curves. The uncharted waters of a gaming landscape bear similarities to those first online explorers navigating hyperlinks and chat rooms. Both groups embody a sense of thrill in embracing the unknown while seeking connections, highlighting how trial and error can lead to extraordinary shared experiences.