- six major areas that function as distinct dungeons, ruled by demigod characters (you don't have to follow an order)
- hub confirmed
- catacombs, castles, fortresses, mini dungeons etc.
- confident that Elden Ring will arrive on its release date
- character creator
- multiple endings
- much higher degree of freedom than before
- optional bosses
- Battle arts from DS3 return but are not fixed to a weapon (~100 techniques)
- Spirits can be collected and equipped apparently (summons)
- different types of spirits (use them for assaults, as decoy, for defense etc)
- Spirits can be improved apparently
- There are also rather useless spirits with other traits
- multiplayer support during exploration on the open fields (but you are not able to ride your horses in multiplayer apparently)
- ER is more "manageable" due to the many different options the player has but there are still many tough enemies
- fall damage is low to keep explorers motivated
- there is a world map
- the actual dungeons do not have a map
- crafting system with materials
- Miyazaki guesses playtime is maybe at 30 hours "without too many side trips"
- asynchrous multiplayer elements return; you can apparently set up groups (with friends for example) and give their messages/dead bodies etc. higher priority (keyword system, no limit on group size)