Elden Ring's Torrent: The Ultimate Benchmark for Lords of the Fallen

Highlights

Elden Ring's Torrent mount sets a high standard for open-world exploration, seamlessly aiding traversal and adding new dynamics to combat encounters.

Depending on the map size and the focus on exploration, incorporating a similar mount mechanic in Lords of the Fallen could be advantageous. Regardless of whether mounts are included, Hex Studios guarantees a semi-open world that offers plenty of chances for exploration and discovering hidden treasures.

Elden Ring is widely regarded as the epitome of the open-world genre, as it excelled in various aspects and was crowned the Game of the Year in the previous year. Alongside its exceptional combat, visuals, and mechanics, Elden Ring perfectly captured the essence of an open world, offering rewarding exploration. One of the key aids in this exploration was Torrent, the spectral mount in the game, which could be summoned and utilized to enhance combat encounters. Considering the upcoming Soulslike game Lords of the Fallen, which boasts its own expansive world waiting to be discovered, it would greatly benefit from having a mount similar to Elden Ring's Torrent.

Lords of the Fallen serves as a reboot of the 2014 game with the same title. Developed by Hex Studios, it has been promised to be at least five times larger than its predecessor, featuring a semi-open world filled with numerous hidden secrets. While the exact level of linearity remains uncertain, the variety of already unveiled maps provides a glimpse into the overall size of the game. No information has been released regarding the inclusion of mounts, which possibly depends on the scale of the maps. However, if Lords of the Fallen does incorporate mounts, Elden Ring's Torrent serves as an exemplary model of a well-executed mount.

Lords of the Fallen Might Need its Own Torrent

Lords of the Fallen offers players the chance to explore two distinct realms: Axiom, the realm of the living, and Umbral, the treacherous realm of the dead. These realms intertwine, and players can seamlessly navigate between them using the protagonist's enchanted lantern. This innovative game design promotes thorough exploration, as a dead end in one realm may unveil a hidden passage in the other.

In Elden Ring, the formidable Torrent serves as a valuable companion for traversing the challenging terrain of the Lands Between. With Torrent's impressive double-jump ability, players can easily navigate the verticality of the map. Additionally, by utilizing specific jump locations scattered throughout the land, Torrent can launch into the sky. The convenience of summoning Torrent makes travel an enticing choice, diminishing the need for traditional fast travel that is commonly associated with the genre. Furthermore, the capability to ride Torrent in combat enhances the depth of Elden Ring's battles, presenting players with various strategies to confront the numerous bosses found in the expansive overworld.

Traversal in open world and semi-open world games can vary based on the map sizes and the presence of mounts. It should be noted that Lords of the Fallen may not include mounts, as none have been shown in any promotional materials. Unlike the Dark Souls trilogy, which had no mounts, Lords of the Fallen may require players to travel on foot and use fast travel points when available.

The need for a mount in Lords of the Fallen will largely depend on how linear the game is. The more limited the choices are for players in terms of where to go and what to do, the less necessary a mount becomes. Hex Studios has confirmed that there will be ample opportunities for exploration and numerous secrets waiting to be discovered. With or without mounts, Lords of the Fallen is shaping up to be an exciting Soulslike game that could rival the best in the genre.

Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.