I Wish Elden Ring’s CO-OP Wasn’t As Much A Chore.
Okay, let’s start some controversy: I don’t love the co-op elements in Elden Ring. This latest masterpiece from FromSoftware is fantastic, but I am having trouble enjoying them. It’s not because I have problems playing with other players; it’s because the game makes it a little more challenging to play with others.
To play online with other players, you must activate summoning pools at Martyr Effigies. These are usually located outside of challenging dungeons. You also need to use a consumable item called Furlcalling Finger Remedy. Players can then see the summon signs that have been sent by players who have used Tarnished’s Furled Finger. The Small Golden Effigy can be used to send a summon signal to all nearby summoning pools. Once gathered, players will be given the task of killing the boss in the host’s world. When the boss is dead, called players will earn a Rune Arc and general rules.
Although it may sound confusing, players familiar With FromSoftware games will be able to use it. Previous Souls games used similar summons. Although Martyr Effigies were not available, the principle of leaving your summon sign outside of the boss’s door was the same. Put your summon sign down and wait. Then, enter another world to cause severe damage to the boss you’re dealing with.
This system heavily relies on proximity. You can manually or automatically put down a summon signal, but you still need to rely on the proximity of other players in your world. Although I could not summon any other players, I am confident that I did not gather them during my playthrough. However, your Mimic Tear spirit Ash is stronger than the gods.
The only place I am reliably summoned at the moment is in front of the bosses of my main quest. However, I have barely been able to defeat Elden Beast on my own. While I am still learning how to deal with the pressure of having to kill the boss, I don’t think I can handle the pressure from someone else. Half the time the host has already died before I have a chance to embarrass him.
I would like to see an Elden Ring system that allows background matchmaking and summoning of any Martyr Effigy. The co-op aspect of matchmaking is a little more frustrating than necessary because you have to find out where people are looking for help.
A Large Gold Effigy could be an item that sends out a summoning signal to all activated Martyr Effigies. This would allow players across the world to summon you in. This would allow you to continue playing the game as usual, but also eliminate the possibility of being summoned to areas you have not explored or completed.
I would like to see more matchmaking options, such as the Blue Cipher Ring which summons you in as a hunter in case a player is being invaded. There are many systems in this game. While you can keep the ring activated while you play, you may be summoned to assist with it occasionally. However, despite the fact that the ring is active for hours, the problem I have found is that I have only been called upon twice to assist with the ring. The first time it happened, I was disconnected. The second one caused me to be so far from the host that I couldn’t see anyone.
A feature such as the Large Golden Effigy, Elden Ring, that doesn’t have to be at the expense of traditional summoning, would make co-op much more rewarding for someone like myself, who has completed the game and wants other players to reach the finish line. Or I might end up being the subject of another’s “fail compilation”. It doesn’t matter what, I’ll have more reasons to play this amazing game.
