News game Elden Ring PvP: First DLC for one of the GOTY 2022, what is it worth?
Published on 08/12/2022 at 11:02
Without warning and without even waiting for the Game Awards ceremony, Elden Ring unsheathed its first free DLC, Colosseum. Quite simply, it’s the much-awaited player versus player (PvP) mode for the community! How does it work and what is it worth? We go around the owner.
We expected FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco to do a ton for the arrival of Elden Ring’s first DLC, but in the end, a simple press release was enough. Since this Wednesday, December 7, 2022 and on all platforms, players can take advantage of the “Colosseum” update for free, which adds PvP mode (player against player) eagerly awaited by fans! To access it, simply go to one of the three colosseums of the Entre-Terre. There is one that can be found in the starting area – Necrolimbo – under the bridge that connects the Divine Tower and the Voilorage Castle. The second is not far from there, northeast of Caelid. As for the last, it overlooks the incredible capital of Leyndell. No need to have completed the game to enter, just push the door.
Three coliseums, three game modes
First, it’s good to know that each coliseum gives access to various PvP settings! Necrolimbo Arena unlocks the first two game modes, “Squad” and “Challenge” (or Team Deathmatch and Free-for-all, in Call of Duty parlance). On Caelid’s side, you’ll get the ability to summon Spirit Ashes – those handy ghostly companions – during a fight. Finally, in Leyndell, you will be able to take part in the one-player vs. one-player Duel mode. Do not panic: no need to travel through the Entre-Terre if you hesitate between two sessions. In the Round Table hub, an idol lets you navigate between PvP unlocks.
From there, not much to add. Just select the desired parameters (game mode, number of players, spirit ashes accepted or not, choice of arena) and start the fight. As it stands, depending on the options chosen, the matchmaking turns out to be a bit finicky. For example, no problem to start a Duel or a Crucible with two players, but things go wrong when the number of players is important. All in all, we’ve been hanging around quite a bit, which is quite “normal” for the launch of a mode! Also note some bugs and hitbox issues against other opponents. This will certainly be corrected in the future. Now, on to the arena.
Elden Ring and PvP, crazy love?
Casually, the addition of the coliseum here changes quite a lot in terms of PvP. Already, a password system allows you to quickly find your friends, whether to team up or put you on the face (which is, you will agree, more immediate than the summoning or the invasion of another world). Above all, surprisingly, wins in the Colosseum currently only give you no reward. No runes, no runic bow. It’s a shame, because necessarily, the clashes in the arena lose stakes, even if it is pleasant to win the victory.
Moreover, you should know that not all modes impose the same constraints. In Squad and Crucible, the game lasts five minutes, respawns are automatic and you only have one vial to regenerate your health between two attempts. In a Duel, it’s three minutes, without the possibility of returning after a failure and without a healing item (note however that, regardless of the game, the elixir of magic remains accepted in limited quantity). Enough to lead to rhythmic and not too long fights in Squad and Ordeal, and Duels with a lot of tension. While we’re at it, a video in action:
Elden Ring – Un duel en mode PvP (Gameplay PC)
Overall no problem it works well. In the two modes with the most players, there is even an icon that appears on the head of the player with the most ‘kills’, which logically directs the assaults on the strongest player. ). Finally, if you’re ever wondering, no, this Elden Ring DLC does not have voice chat and even less a scoreboard. As you can imagine, FromSoftware retains its famous austere charm. So we can’t wait to see how the team will improve and develop the Colosseum. Overall, this is a really welcome novelty.
