Very Positive(94%)
World exploration
Build variety
Atmosphere and lore
Replayability
Boss difficulty
Open-world scale
Learning curve
DLC experience
Repetitive content
Opaque quests
PC issues
Unfair boss attacks
Reviews are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, especially about world exploration and striking scenery, flexible builds and rewarding combat, and the game's atmosphere and replay value. The main reservations concern repetitive or empty stretches, unclear quests and PC technical issues, and difficulty that feels exhilarating to some but unfair or exhausting to others. Overall, players generally consider it a standout adventure, while noting that its length and demanding design will not suit everyone.
Positive Points
Players frequently praise the vast, visually striking world and the thrill of discovering hidden areas, dungeons, bosses, and surprises without being led by constant quest markers.Combat and major boss encounters offer a demanding but satisfying learn-through-failure loop; finally overcoming a difficult fight is a standout source of accomplishment.A wide range of weapons, spells, summons, and character builds lets players tailor their approach, supports experimentation, and gives repeat playthroughs plenty of variety.The atmosphere, environmental storytelling, music, and cryptic lore make the Lands Between memorable, with many players describing the game as an exceptional or all-time favorite experience.Many newcomers say the open-world options make it a welcoming entry into Soulslike games, while co-op and the substantial Shadow of the Erdtree expansion add further ways to play.Negative Points
The challenge can be punishing, and some players find certain bosses' long attack strings, delayed moves, damage, or hitboxes unfair or frustrating rather than rewarding.Some reviewers feel the enormous world becomes bloated: side dungeons, enemies, and bosses are reused, later areas can feel sparse, and exploration rewards may not justify the time spent.Quest progression and storytelling are deliberately opaque; players can miss NPC quests or important plot details without consulting guides or researching the lore.A number of PC players report clunky keyboard-and-mouse controls, camera and lock-on problems, frame drops, input issues, a 60 FPS cap, and no ultrawide support.Mixed Points
The difficulty is central to the appeal for many players, but others find repeated deaths and some boss encounters exhausting or poorly balanced.The open world creates freedom, surprise, and memorable exploration, yet its scale can also feel tiring, repetitive, or padded with empty stretches.Build flexibility, leveling, summons, and the option to explore elsewhere can help players adjust the challenge, though some encounters still feel inconsistent or overly punishing.The base game is widely praised, while Shadow of the Erdtree is considered substantial and worthwhile by many but too difficult, repetitive, or empty by some.Common Themes
The most frequent reaction is intense admiration, with many reviewers calling the game a masterpiece or one of their favorite games.Players commonly describe a cycle of frustration, learning, and satisfaction: the game is difficult, but victories often feel deeply rewarding.Exploration, world design, atmosphere, and discovery are core to the game's appeal, alongside a large amount of content.Build variety and replayability encourage experimentation and bring players back for new runs.The game can be hard to navigate or understand at first, particularly for newcomers, and many players recommend patience or outside guidance for quests and lore.Updated 10/16/2026, 12:07:09 AM UTC
