Recent reviews by Etomis

So Far, I have spent approximately 45 hours playing SOTE, and I can say with confidence that, for a DLC, this has been one of the greatest experiences I have had playing any game. So much so that I fear I will not experience this level of sheer awe until the next FromSoftware game. But, it is not a perfect experience. let me explain.

Reading through a lot of the reviews here I thought I would add my two cents.

(SPOILERS FROM NOW ON)

Regarding Performance Issues:

This feels like the only valid criticism for ruining the experience of the game that I can understand. I do not have a great PC, but it seems like this issue is common enough among people that it should be addressed. I have experienced stuttering a lot.

Two bosses in Particular, Romina, and the Final Boss, damn near make the game unplayable. I am such an avid fan that I am willing to push through this issue, but I understand for many, dying to a boss like Romina due to performance issues outside of your control can be disheartening.

I am not sure how this can be fixed, if it can be fixed, but this criticism I understand. (Trying not to glaze here).

Difficulty:

Let me preface that while I am a souls fan, I am by no means great at this game, I will, and always will use summons, and I don't feel bad for that. For context, my character is Level 150, and I'll keep it there as I find the level of difficulty rewarding.

I've seen a lot of complaints about the difficulty of this DLC but I'd argue, just like the base game, you can make this as easy or as difficult as you would like.

Reasons:

1. You do not need to lock yourself into a level or play-style.

while I have set myself the limit of level 150, you don't need to, you can choose to take on this DLC at whatever level you see fit, farm up to level 250, 400, even if you'd like. Whilst Larval Tears aren't infinite, you can respec many times to change your build if you find your current one challenging, try new builds, it is what this DLC is all about.

2. You can use summons, you can receive help.

At the end of the day, summons are part of this game. If you choose not to use them I respect your resolve, but to then complain about the difficulty... clearly you haven't trained enough, or clearly you're not as good as you'd like to think you are. Who really cares what you choose to do, are you really going to receive judgement because you didn't beat the DLC the way 'random person 1' told you to? better yet, request assistance by summoning other real players. make friends along the way.

Really, if you feel like you've let yourself down by choosing to use the tools the games provide you to beat it, you can always play it again, and choose not to use summons later.

3. Scadutree Fragments / Revered Spirit Ashes

From the moment you enter the DLC you are told to use these. Use them. Don't have enough? Leave the boss fight and go explore some more. Out of the several new bosses in the DLC, only a select few. 2? (Rellana and Messmer) Lock you out of map locations. This is the same advice you received when you first started playing Elden Ring, if you're having trouble go explore new area's, find more fragments. with each fragment boosting your damage by 5% and lessening the damage you take by 5% (roughly?), even one upgrade can make the difference when you need it.

The DLC has been out for 3 days, why are you rushing to complete it? take your time, find more fragments...

Finally, here are some of my personal Pros and Cons, none of these significantly impact my feelings on the DLC but I think many may relate to them.

Pros:

Environment Design - My god its beautiful. In my recent play through of Elden Ring I remember specifically thinking how much I enjoyed the haligtree because of its verticality, a very appreciated nod to the verticality in DS1. This DLC is all vertical, the sheer scope of it I am sure I have not fully explored. I think this element might be my favorite, discovering the unknown, how paths connect ect. A very enjoyable experience.

Gaols and Underground catacombs, what an upgrade. After replaying the base game I found these elements to be tiring, but in the DLC so much thought and attention went into them, they ended up being some of my favorite moments. However, There are so few, which is so disappointing, so many areas I feel could have benefited from having one of these present which may have changed one of the cons I have with this DLC.

Boss Design, everything felt unique, I loved every fight, and the satisfaction of learning Messmers move set, albiet with the help of a summon, was extremely rewarding.

A very specific pro to the Abyssal woods, Although in my Cons I discuss the lack of depth in end game areas, I found the abyssal woods to be exciting, enthralling and very enjoyable. This might be a hot take but I love how it forces you to take a different approach temporarily with stealth. If this has been the only empty area I would have been content. However the atmosphere this area commands is undeniably amazing.

Cons:

FromSoftware has built the use of summons into the game of elden ring, (and I know im about to technically contradict myself from earlier) but it feels like for many of the bosses in the DLC they have retroactively removed this intended experience. Many of the bosses (looking at your gaius) rush the fog gate as soon as you enter the room. Although with some critical thinking you can avoid the attack and summon soon after, I find this defeats the purpose for people who choose to use summons, why do I feel like I'm being punished for trying to use a feature intended (this is probably my biggest gripe with the game, however I dealt with it, and you can too) (pps, f*** you gaius)

Late game areas, feel devoid and often are empty of anything meaningful other than a few items / one significant enemy. (I'm talking the Finger Ruins, Top Left Ruins of Rauh and Scaduview (Shaman Village) While these locations do have some points of interest, to me it feels like this DLC was not complete, most items you receive are pointless, and I found myself trying to explore each nook and cranny only to find nothing.

Item Pickups, In general I found this to be extremely disheartening. I enjoy flipping everything over, finding hidden paths, exploring every direction, only to find smithing stones as a reward. I have been told there is over 100 new weapons in this DLC, and from what I've found, 2/3rds of those must be from mob drops. Where are all the weapons, and armour sets out in the open world. I almost expect so many chests to contain an ancient dragon smithing stone, while these are certainly useful, it is undoubtedly disappointing.

Real niche Con again, lack of Frenzy incantations / weapons... Are you kidding me fromsoft, This is in my opinion one of the coolest aspects of Elden ring, this fearful frenzied flame /3 fingers entity. And while the DLC adds a large area and great boss, its left lacking weapons, armour and additional incantations that I would have expected. And the remembrance weapon doesn't even apply frenzy, what a missed opportunity.

I have obviously missed a lot in this review, But I hope a lot of you understand these are still early days, and the difficulty of the DLC can be adjusted in your favor if you take the time to experience and explore what the DLC has to offer.

9/10 experience, the only point off is specifically for performance issues.

Too funny

Turtle Pope?

Turtle Pope.

Great Game

Stealth Nerfs, The state of trying to solo play this game is near impossible, the later into the game the harder it becomes to do anything without a group. The player based economy is flawed. Raw components are worth 10 times more than the finished items. The team focused more on the state of their micro-transactions than the bugs in the game.

This is, simply put. A journey. Out of all the visual novel games I have had the honour of playing this is the only game where I have taken the time to read the dialogue and god it is amazing. At times this game made me laugh, it made me cry, but most of all it made me horny. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking for a game that is unlike anything they have experienced before. It has taken my consciousness to another plane of existence. I have awoken

"wanna ♥♥♥♥ & ♥♥♥"

Great

The possibilities make the game

I first tried Transistor in 2014 and shortly dropped it.
Three years later and i decided i may aswell finish it.
For 4 hours i sat down and completed the game, and i loved it.
It is a game where you have to endure and overcome the challenges it sets out for you. the story, art and gameplay proved to be worth the time and effort. if you're thinking of buying this game definitely give it a try.

The first DLC of DEEP SPACE WAIFU, titled : ACADEMY has distinguished itself as a masterpiece.

With this DLC the developers have added:

Several new Girls (Stages)
New Enemies
New Boss Monsters
An amazing soundtrack
and approximately 1 FRESH BEAR.

Therefore, show the developers some space bear love and appreciation. Purchase this DLC.