Unlock the Thrills: Elevating Fishing in Elden Ring Beyond Meme Status

Elden Ring stands out for its vast and immersive world, brimming with hidden treasures and tucked-away locations at every turn. Amidst the battles against eerie soldiers, otherworldly creatures, and formidable dragons, it can be refreshing to simply take in the breathtaking scenery and its inherent beauty.

However, one potential drawback of Elden Ring is the limited level of interaction with the environment. While players may encounter friendly NPCs for quests or casual conversations, the environment itself often serves as mere obstacles to overcome, with even something as serene as water being just another tool of player demise. Sometimes, to truly appreciate the surroundings, it would be beneficial to pause and engage in a more tranquil activity. And in the realm of gaming, few activities rival the restorative nature of fishing.

The Case to Include Fishing in Elden Ring

Fishing is highly unlikely to be featured in Elden Ring due to various reasons, primarily because FromSoftware likely never intended to incorporate fishing into the game. The creators of Elden Ring's Convergence mod, who strive to maintain the game's original tone, also provide little hope in this regard.

Currently, the concept exists as a meme on Reddit, shared by user freetrolley42, who cleverly photoshopped several game images to give the illusion of fishing being present in Elden Ring. Although initially created as a joke, this concept possesses great potential to develop into something extraordinary.

Adding the leisurely activity of fishing may seem counterintuitive to the intense and challenging nature of FromSoftware's masocore games. In these games, players meticulously build their characters only to be repeatedly confronted by formidable enemies, serving as a reminder of their vulnerability as mere humans facing powerful adversaries. While this description applies to the Soulsborne series, if we swap out the monsters for imposing mechs and the humans for other mechs, this discussion shifts to Armored Core, a game that FromSoftware prefers not to compare to Elden Ring.

However, fishing does have a place in Elden Ring and can integrate seamlessly with the game's overall atmosphere. It is important to understand FromSoftware's gameplay philosophy, which encourages players to constantly be on guard and expect combat at any moment. Fishing should adhere to this principle as well. While it commonly serves as a relaxing pursuit in most games, even in titles like Stardew Valley where it takes center stage, there are occasional unexpected challenges that introduce a heightened sense of tension.

To ensure the appeal of implementing this feature aligns with the overall difficulty of the game, incentives must be provided. These could manifest in various forms, such as granting high value to fish as valuable resources, offering exclusive fishing gear, or even incorporating a questline involving eccentric characters from Elden Ring who are connected to the act of catching fish.

Furthermore, it would enhance the game experience if this activity diverges from the usual difficulty and tension present elsewhere. It could serve as a unique opportunity for players to relax, immerse themselves in the world, and still maintain a certain level of engagement. In fact, there is potential for transforming stressful locations, like the Lake of Rot, into serene fishing spots where players can unwind and even catch toxic fish.

While exploring can be a relaxing experience, it's important to always stay alert as potential enemies may be hiding nearby. A valuable aspect of the game is the inclusion of fishing, which seamlessly integrates with the hunting mechanics. Players have the opportunity to catch additional runes or gather materials that can be used to create useful items or consumables. Taking a break from the harsh and hostile world can be a welcome respite. Elden Ring is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Reddit