U4GM - How Elden Ring Makes the Player Question the Morality of Their Actions
Elden Ring Runes, a masterpiece developed by FromSoftware and directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, introduces a rich, open-world experience filled with hidden secrets, enigmatic characters, and morally ambiguous choices. As players embark on their journey through the Lands Between, they are not only challenged by the environment but also by their decisions and the consequences of their actions. One of the game's central elements that contribute to this moral questioning is the use of Elden Ring runes. These runes serve as both a reward and a tool of power, creating a complex relationship between the player and the game's world.
At the heart of Elden Ring lies a world filled with conflict, betrayal, and sacrifice, and it is through the accumulation of Elden Ring runes that players can enhance their strength. The idea of using these runes to level up or purchase items brings forth an ethical dilemma. As players progress, they are often forced to decide whether their pursuit of power, wealth, and survival is worth the potential harm to the world around them. Many of the characters they meet along the way seem to be trapped by their own desires for power, with their fates often leading to destruction. This raises the question: Can the player's quest for greater strength justify the moral compromises they make along the way?
One such moral gray area arises when players choose to purchase Elden Ring runes, often bypassing the difficult grind that the game usually presents. While this may seem like a convenient option to progress faster, it also leads to the contemplation of whether such shortcuts undermine the sense of accomplishment that comes from earning these runes through personal effort. The decision to use external means to acquire power rather than facing the challenges the game sets before the player creates a rift between what is gained through perseverance and what is gained through expedience.
As the player makes their way through Elden Ring, the ethical choices they make become more pronounced. The game subtly encourages players to think about the cost of their power, not only in terms of in-game consequences but also in the larger moral context. Many of the NPCs the player encounters are not merely quest-givers but individuals with their own desires, regrets, and personal dilemmas. The player’s actions—whether they choose to help, betray, or ignore these characters—force them to confront the impact of their choices on others, adding a layer of moral depth that is often missing from other action RPGs.
The most striking aspect of Elden Ring's moral landscape is the game's refusal to provide clear-cut answers. It does not hold the player's hand, nor does it dictate what is right or wrong. Instead, it presents a world where the consequences of one’s actions unfold in ways that are often ambiguous and open to interpretation. As players continue their journey, they are faced with the realization that power is not inherently good or evil—it is how it is used that defines its moral value.
Ultimately, Elden Ring does more than just challenge players with difficult combat and exploration. It asks them to consider the consequences of their decisions, both on a personal level and in the broader context of the game's world. The accumulation of Elden Ring runes, whether earned through battle or purchased, becomes a tool through which the player grapples with the moral complexities of their journey. It is this intricate dance between power and morality that makes Elden Ring a unique and thought-provoking experience in the world of video games.