Elden Ring Does Not Need An "Easy" Difficulty

Since the announcement of the game, players have been demanding an "Easy Mode" from FromSoftware in Elden Ring, but does it really need one?

[CaptainHenry916]

"Bottom-line is; if you find Soulsborne games tough, they might not be for you."

If it's to hard for you then don't buy it.

[ecchiless]

bottom line should be, "not all games are for you"

[Christopher]

Unless it's a Saints Row Reboot, then they shouldn't have done what they did. /s

[LordoftheCritics]

The bottom line is also knows as net income.

I'm sure they do care about that as well.

[UltraNova]

Imagine a world where physics, math, biology, chemistry etc were dumbed down for the sake of inclusivity/accessibility... Point is some things need not changing just to appease everyone, same goes for our pass time activities like video games.

[Christopher]

***Imagine a world where physics, math, biology, chemistry etc were dumbed down for the sake of inclusivity/accessibility.***

You do realize this is exactly how these things are taught? First you learn numbers, then addition and subtraction once you've got that, then division and multiplication, and so on and so on. It is literally dumbed down for your level of understanding as it is taught to you.

[ikarodemon]

The bottom-line is not that. The bottom-line is that was a developer decision and they chose to go with a especific public and suceed with his decision. End of topic. This was a estrategic product decision nothing else. People have the right to want a more easy game this is free speech, but in the end is not his decision.

[CrimsonWing69]

Haha, exactly! We live in a society that is ridiculously selfish now. If it’s not all inclusive it gets attacked. People can’t simply grasp the idea of “not for you” or “don’t buy it” anymore.

[GhostofHorizon]

Oh the irony in this post is astounding.

[LordoftheCritics]

You might need to read what you wrote.

[NeoGamer232]

Further it is completely up to the developers who are making the art. They are choosing to target an audience. Although I don't agree with their decision, it is their choice.

All this means is that certain people won't buy the game.

[LordoftheCritics]

Yup

It clearly is not for everyone. Just like shooters are not for everyone or mmos for everyone.

You dont have 200 million ppl playing World of Warcraft.

Let ppl make their games. The right audience will find it. If it meets the devs/publishers expectations then they found a reason to keep doing what theyre doing. If it bombs, they will adjust. Simple/

I thought Dark Souls was like Dragon Age so I bought it on launch and then very soon after gave it to a friend.
I don't even look at these games when they release. That does not mean that they have to now bend their design to become Dragon Age or Skyrim. Same way I wouldnt want anyone to screw with my Skyrims or Fallouts.

I don't want Starfield to become a souls game. Pretty simple really.

[Snakeeater25]

Bottom line is : souls borne games will never sell 20 millions of copies. That’s type of game will alwais be niche

[SpineSaw]

@Snakeeater25

No one has a problem with that.

[UltraNova]

This isn't 2010. Soulsborne games are established and found their followers in their millions.

From Software would be wise not to mess with their formula.

https://www.google.com/amp/...

https://www.vgchartz.com/ar...

[Snakeeater25]

@spinesaw

Am pretty sure formsoftware as a problem with that if the game will sell for just 1 million

[UnSelf]

Here’s what the devs should do:

Implement an easy mode that is so easy, all of the enemies just stand there and don’t move. One attack kills them. Bosses too. This will insult the gamer so badly he would be more frustrated from this mode than from the normal difficulty

[ecchiless]

nah, the easy mode should be like this: press any button to start the game.... then you got the end credits.... done the game is finished.

[spwittbold]

That's the plan! Souls Games suck anyway lol.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

If you can't handle soul, soul-like, rogue-like, classic, or unintuitive game from 70s to early 10s they aren't for you and if you want them to be for you change your mindset and enjoy them for what they are.

[Omegasyde]

Not gonna lie. Loved blood borne, played the heck out of demon souls and dark souls on ps3.

Played dark souls 2 remastered on ps5, and was 2 minutes from breaking controller. I got soft.

[toxic-inferno]

Oh-oh... I too loved Bloodborne, played the heck out of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.

I was going to start Dark Souls 2 on my PS5 later this week, but I'm now scared for the lives of my DualSense controllers...

[senorfartcushion]

Soft? It’s not a monumental achievement being able to finish a game like Dark Souls 😂 I finished Sekiro in a few days, do I need my parents to put the trophy picture on their fridge over at their house now or something?

[Fluttershy77]

Dark Souls 2 wasn't difficult... I heard that idea before, DkS 2 being punishing and cheap and really difficult and that's why people hate it. No. It was bad, I mean better than most games these days but really bad when you compare it with Demon Souls and Dark Souls.

[frostypants]

Exactly. It's no different than whining at an artist for not making the art one prefers. In fact...it's EXACTLY that if one agrees that games are art.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Facts

[Atom666]

Poorly written clickbait.

[SinisterMister]

Well, that would be taking the fun out of it lol

[WillyC009]

Every time a fromsoftware game comes around, there’s a minority of the gaming populace that wants difficulty settings put in the game. I hope they never cave and keep their vision no matter what the vocal minority cry about.

Some games are difficult. If you’re not ok with that, don’t play them. That simple.

[Omegasyde]

I believe there should be an easy mode, but at the same time if you want to 100% the trophies and achievements you should play on normal or higher.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

That's not case because it just ruins dark souls maybe some product should be for you,

[TorpeAlex]

Do other games like Doom, Call of Duty, etc having difficulty selectors affect people who play on hard? Do games having colorblind sliders affect people without color blindness?
This is a stupid argument and always has been. Accessibility should not be a matter of opinion. If you think making something more accessible to people who can’t otherwise play the game is a bad thing, re-evaluate your perspective.

[Darkborn]

It's meant to be a game that you feel true achievement when you finally conquer a difficult encounter or boss. You don't get that if you just make the game where you run through it with super high health and you one shot everything at like level 5. It's not the way the game is meant to be played. You are supposed to die again and again and again. And when you think you got gud, you die again and keep doing that until you finally succeed. It's an amazing feeling and I've played them all since the original demons souls at launch. Easy difficulty it does not need.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

@Darkborn

Facts

[SpineSaw]

Does Doom, Call of Duty, Halo have accessibility sliders for their multiplayer matches so those that struggle getting their KD to 2.0 can easily do so?
No one is against having sliders for blind people.

[GhostofHorizon]

Nobody is talking about multiplayer. He is clearly talking about single portion of the game considering he mentions difficulty. Easy mode is an accessibility issue for some people believe it or not.

[SpineSaw]

@Nakiro

I'm more than aware what "he' was talking about. But if were going to talk about difficulty in gaming then we must talk about multiplayer gaming in FPS games. We have many, many gamers that avoid MP in FPS games because it just not accessible to those with needs to get those kills so lets solve all difficult games at once. We should start with multiplayer matches in Halo Infinite. Maybe as an idea Microsoft could have at the first 2min of each match with those gamers with a .75 KD or higher start the game frozen and those that have less than a .75 KD not frozen and they can up their KD with easy kills. Those that are really good will in no way be hurt by this and those that avoid multiplayer matches because their needs are not met will have a KD inline with everyone else and this games multiplayer mode becomes more accessible to their needs and most definitely Microsoft should be the one to take the lead on this with the upcoming Halo Infinite release after all its Microsoft that's all about accessibility in gaming, right?

[WillyC009]

How is it a stupid argument. If a developer does not want an easy mode they don’t have to put it in. If you can’t beat said game, that’s to bad and maybe it wasn’t a game meant for you?

I can never understand this portion of the gaming community. Back in the NES days there were no difficulty settings. Just one and if you couldn’t beat it, to bad. If anyone needs to reevaluate their perspective, I believe that’s you.

[neutralgamer1992]

Darkborn

Play in hard and get that experience while another game could play on casual or story and enjoy other aspects of the game. What is great is so many developers are now giving more accessibility options. I don't think me playing a single player Souls like game on story mode affects your experience playing on default difficulty

In single player games that argument is nonsense simply because my experience in no way affects yours

[oldenjon]

Congratulations on the 1000000th post conflating accessibility with difficulty.

[ravens52]

Beat Sekiro, Bloodborne almost done demon souls . I have dark souls 3 but I never finished it because I had alotta games for ps4. Found dark souls and demon souls to be harder. Elden Ring will probably resemble sekiro and blood born with quicker paced combat. It really jus takes practice and patience there is no need for an easy mode, struggle is a part of the game. Don't do it.

[gold_drake]

from a consumer's standpoint, i wouldnt want them to change the difficulty. since some games are just difficult, thats what those games are known for.

from a publisher's standloint, if the inclusion of an easy mode drives sales, id do it.
it doesnt take away from the experience of normal or hard mode.

but making a game easier in general, now thats not what i want.

[Darkborn]

But they would lose out in sales from their actual audience. I wouldn't preorder it if they announced an easy mode, and I'd probably buy it second hand years later instead of at launch if at all. That would ruin the game.

[GhostofHorizon]

How does an inclusion of easy mode make the way you experience the game any different than as if it wasn't there? You wouldn't play on easy mode so who cares.

That's like saying you're not going to buy a game because it has a multiplayer mode you're not going to play anyway but would otherwise enjoy the single player portion of the game perfectly fine.

It's a ridiculous argument that doesn't have a leg to stand on, just to stroke someone's weak and insecure ego.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

@Nakiro

That's silly because MP co op has always been included in those games and that's such a big part of it. Essentially It's easy mode. He wouldn't buy it because easy mode would ruin what Dark souls or souls game are known for.

[toxic-inferno]

@Nakiro - It would have a huge impact on most people's enjoyment.

One of the most striking aspects of playing a Soulsbourne game is the sense of community. Even if all you do is use Fextralife and Reddit to look at the lore, or search for a few tips, you feel part of that community. And as far as community's go, it's one of the best and most welcoming because everybody understands the struggle that all players go through when playing the games.

If you add an easy mode, you would lose all of that in an instant. I can understand that cancelling a pre-order might sound like an overreaction, but if the sense of community is what you're looking for, an easy mode would hugely diminish that aspect of the game.

[Darkborn]

Listen guys, this isn't botw, this is souls games. Pvp is a huge factor as well as coop. If I invade someone, or get invaded I want a challenge every single time. I have thousands of kills per game and a ton of those were 1v1s because that's how those games are. Same with coop, I don't want to summon or be summoned by some scrub. The community is built on git gud, in fact that's where the term came from.

Edit* if you have a problem with that, these games aren't for you.

[MadLad]

This argument is so regurgitated at this point.
If an easy mode means more people can just sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, lore, and story, while still being able to enjoy the gameplay in their own way, who the hell does that hurt?

Even hardcore CRPGs have a "story" mode now. I loved Bloodborne, but if I wasn't the sort who is able to tackle experiences like that I would have to miss out on an awesome universe. At the very least resort to a let's play, removing all agency from me.

[TheDoomedGuy]

Yeah well I'd argue that difficulty is the heart and soul of the games. In their games story and universe is more passive then anything.

I guarantee you that without the innate difficulty which comes from the combat flow the game would not have become what it is today.

The difficulty made the game special. It made it stand out from other games.

[jambola]

name 1 game developer/ series of games that is well known for difficulty, but only on optional higher difficulties.

[GhostofHorizon]

Why is that a thing that should be desired? Nobody cares.

[M_Mosley_JR]

Halo. That franchise is known for how much fans love the 'Legendary' difficulty and skulls modifiers

[LordoftheCritics]

Sadly thats all I think of From Software games, death simulators.

Guess thats what theyre famous for.

[MadLad]

People on here need to realize the majority of gamers out there aren't N4G visitors, putting usually dozens of hours into games every week, being try hards at everything.

You know how easy it would be to design a game exactly as they have? Losing nothing about what makes the "soul" of the games for those who that, and then just throw some modifiers in for those who want/need it? Then you can go in your corner and play how you want, and they have access to more experiences they'd typically be barred from, just on their own terms.

It's a non-issue. People take this stuff far too seriously.
Gaming doesn't need to be this "get gud" boys club.

[jambola]

People like you need to realize that the majority of games aren't like souls games, and if they have an issue with it they can play something else.
and I didn't realize you were such an expert that you know exactly how these games reputation and legacy would have turned out if they hadn't been designed the way they were.

[SpineSaw]

@TheRealTedCruz

Soulsborne games have a easy mode the problem seems to be the sense of entitlement of some gamers they just don't want to earn it. Bloodborne, Demon Souls, all 3 Dark Souls games have a level cap and its so high once you hit that cap you can literally sleep walk through the game. Now if you don't want to spend the time to level up and hit that cap you can call others who have leveled up or they are just plain better and they can walk you through the game. You can have up to 3 people help out and in some areas and you can have NPC help as well. These games don't need a easy or invincible mode as they can already be as easy as you want them to be.

[jambola]

@Nakiro
I imagine the large fanbase cares
and no, you're objectively wrong, lot's of people care
If nobody cared we wouldn't even be having this discussion

[MadLad]

"Objectively"

Sure :^)

The majority of people don't finish most games, based on achievement/trophy tracking; let alone on the hardest difficulty.
And I didn't say there weren't people that care. I said they aren't the majority. Most people don't get pissed off at the idea of people playing a game at an easier setting than they did.
I'm sure that's fairly more "objective" than what you're trying to push.

[GhostofHorizon]

The reason I like souls games has nothing to do with the difficulty.

I don't even think the games are that difficult to begin with. They just require some patience.

Just because there is a fanbase, it doesn't mean they are in the right.
If anything, I think the fanbase for the game would grow if it was accessible to more people.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

People buy Dark souls for it's hard difficulty not accessible options. It's legacy has been defined already.

[Skudermasker89]

They can't add easy difficulty because of the losers who want to barge about beating a difficult game. FYI nobody is impressed.

[TheDoomedGuy]

If it's not impressive then there's no problem with the difficulty.

I'm impressed when I see pro players do insane stuff. Souls genre did what no other game has done before. It has separated gamers into 2 categories. Those that can do it and those that can't. The third category is those that can't but keep at it and then they can.

Those that stay in the can't category are really the only ones complaining about difficulty.

Besides the games are already on easy for the first playthrough. Hard comes after. You could level up like crazy and become pretty OP in the first playthrough.

[Skudermasker89]

You are in a loser category. The one where you think you are cool because you are playing a video game. Pathetic.

[TheDoomedGuy]

@skudermasker

That's funny cuz I'm not the one who made the game to difficult for you.
You're the one bringing some immature cool factor into this...you must be 12

[jambola]

actually plenty of people are impressed. I think you have that arrogant delusion where you think your opinion is just a fact.

[Skudermasker89]

No one cares loser.

[jambola]

"I don't care and I'm pathetic enough to act like this online"
Fixed it for ya ;)

[Skuletor]

Aw, did somebody rage quit a Souls game because they have no skill?

[OhReginald]

I used to be a firm believer for keeping the souls difficultly the way it is,but now I don't care. It's just a video game. Real life is already set on dark souls mode, dominate that instead of a video game lol.

[TheDoomedGuy]

Except there's no permadeath in dark souls.

C'mon man we don't want people rolling off cliffs to go into soul mode.

[Rachel_Alucard]

More games should just have no difficulty settings and just be balanced around the proper experience that isn't face roll easy or infuriating. Many games are not nearly as fun when played on difficulties that are both too hard or too easy. It is a much better experience for a player to play one difficulty that was tuned perfectly, then 4 or 5 that just either turn enemies into damage sponges or make them such pushovers the player never needs to utilize any mechanics or think which leads to bordem. Normal difficulty is not really tuned as the base experience in many games, if you play something like CoD or Halo, their normal is the step below the hardest difficulty. The main thing bad difficulty affects is the player themselves, and it's difficult for the player to understand what they'd enjoy more.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Facts

[Flawlessmic]

Does it need it, no.

Would it hurt to the have the option, also no.

Not sure why peoole get so high and mighty about it, there will be the option to play the way the devs intended so there is zero loss to core fanbase.

It would be a win win for all involved, devs sell more copies, more gamers to get a play game theyve been intered in but either arent skilled enough or dont have the time to devote themselves to getting good at it.

It should be no different to resolution or performance mode, its nice to have options people.

I guess peoples egos like having something that makes them feel like a superior gamer lol

[pitythefool]

Nah more like cry babies egos get bruised when they can’t do something.

[Flawlessmic]

Explain to me how having a seperate easier mode impacts yours or anyone elses enjoy of the game?

[MadLad]

You're taking videogames a little too seriously.

[jambola]

Thank you random guy on internet, I'm sure the massively successful and critically acclaimed company needs your marketing advice.

[TheDoomedGuy]

Souls games are already easy. Easy mode is over leveling your character on your first playthrough.

If you can't even manage that and you don't like how hard it is then this isn't a game for you...and don't give the bullshit lore and world story excuse....you want that you can get it off the internet.

You basically want an easy time and are upset that the devs didn't cater to your needs.

Only in games do people expect to have things made easier for them. Not in sports...not in school ( unless liberals get their way)

[SpineSaw]

I agree its like they want to be given the first 300 levels and be OP but not have to spend a second of time to get those levels nor can they be bothered to summon anyone for help.

[EmperorDalek]

Agreed. Easy mode would kill how these games are viewed, which would probably result in fewer sales. The opposite of what these easy mode heretics believe.

People who play on easy would have a hollow experience, and it would be a pain in the ass from a development point of view.

[TheDoomedGuy]

People playing on easy would miss the whole experience.
The core of the game is the difficulty. Removing that removes it's reason for existance. Many use the story and lore excuse but most of it is hidden in text...you can just read it online...

It would be more efficient than playing a game that's so easy it becomes boring and trying to piece together the little pieces of lore in the item descriptions.

Imagine facing off this huge boss and he can't freaking kill you...wow what a boss that would be. What a lame experience that is.

[LoveSpuds]

I found The Witness too difficult and I think Jonathan Blow should be nagged by the twitterverse into making his puzzles easier!!! :/

In all seriousness, why do people think they have a right to dictate to others about their creative choices and vision for their art. You don't see this on any other medium, if you don't like a particular movie or book you some move on, you don't start nagging the writers etc. Worlds gone mad!

[jambola]

HERE WE GO

[Soulsborne]

Here we go again....

[jambola]

well talentless lazy writers need an easy piece every time a souls game is coming

[jznrpg]

No it doesn’t ! Souls games need a little patience , persistence and to pay attention . They are not really that hard at all . I have played games that made me give up and Souls games are nowhere close to as hard to play as those few games I’ve ran into . Really I think people who say they are too hard just don’t like that type of game.
If it was easier I still don’t think they would enjoy it because the enjoyment is beating the bosses and such .

[TheDoomedGuy]

Precisely. Game got famous because of its difficulty and bosses. If those weren't there it wouldn't have garnered as much attention.

[Ninver]

I see we're back to this old aged argument smh. Play it how the devs envisioned or stay away from it simple.

[TheDoomedGuy]

Well the issue here is equal outcome. It's not enough that everyone has equal opportunity to play the game, learn and best it. They want the same outcome as those that learned to play or simply play better from experience but without putting any effort.

Like others said....not much effort is required. Not to mention all the cheeses and guides available to them online

[sourOG]

I think you saw a couple people on Twitter demanding and easy mode and generalized this opinion on the gaming community as a whole to write a pointless article.

[GhostofHorizon]

I notice the same people don't want the easy mode are exactly the same people I consider to be "fanboys" on this site. Gee, I wonder what those two things have in common.

Hint: Grow up.

[jambola]

you mean the people you disagree with, are also the people you consider fanboys?
I think the thing in common is you and the fact that you think anyone who disagrees with you is a fanboy

[GhostofHorizon]

Not in the slightest, you can easily tell a fan and a fanboy apart.

I love games. Period.
I think everyone should be able to play games and experience them. Some people here don't and can't give a good reason for it. I would be more than happy to discuss why adding an easy mode is a problem. I can't remember a single game that I put down or didn't buy because it had an easy mode.

Just for reference, I do go after all the platinum trophies out there so I have no problem with challenging games personally, I just don't think barrier of entry should be there at all. It is certainly not what I come to games for.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Immature much bud.

[GhostofHorizon]

Did I strike a nerve there?

[XiNatsuDragnel]

@Nakiro

Better question did I strike a nerve?

[TheDoomedGuy]

Well okay. So you love games period. And are so morally superior you concern yourself with making sure others get to enjoy it.

Hate to break it to you but souls games are accessible. Anyone can go out and pruchase and play the game.

It's your own fault if you can't beat it. There's plenty of guides and cheeses and tutorials and walkthroughs out there.

God i wish they removed all the platforming in Mario since I'm not so good at it. It would make it more "accessible".

It would also stop being Mario. So I might as well go play something i can enjoy

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Fax

[Manubiggs]

This debate again .......?

[TheGreatGazoo30]

How does an easy mode lessen the experience of those that choose to play on standard or harder difficulties?

Souls-like games are meant to be hard, but so what if someone wants to 1 hit kill everything and experience the story and world?

[Skuletor]

We're going to get one of these articles everytime a new FromSoft game gets announced

[Tex4242]

I don't care one way or the other. It's the developers decision to make their game how they want, but if they did put an easy mode in are you still going to buy the game? Yes, and you'll enjoy it, so why worry about stuff like this? Game how you want and have fun.

[Snakeeater25]

Well then I don’t need to play it

[jambola]

wow, nice to see some sense

[Inverno]

I said it before and I'll say it again. What's the point of an easy mode if the issue is you don't have hands to play a game? Or you can't see well? Or hear well, or whatever other physical problem someone might have. What's needed are accessibility options which includes controller options for those disabled in whatever way.

[GhostofHorizon]

Easy mode is an accessibility mode for some people which is exactly the point I and many other people are trying to make.

[SpineSaw]

Yes... the sense of entitlement in gaming is very real. #GitGud!

[GhostofHorizon]

Ironic.

[on_line_forever]

The game is not hard only need to be patient and try to learn how to beat it and you will enjoy so much after that

[darklaw]

If you are a developer of a game, wouldn't you want as many people to play and enjoy it as possible? And to achieve this all you had to do was make it easier? Why does it matter if there is a difficulty choice? You want to play it on extreme, then do so, if you want to breeze through and enjoy the art and story on easy, then that should be fine too.

[frostypants]

I can already taste the tears of games journalists who hate gaming...

[The7Reaper]

FromSoft games really aren't as hard as people make them out to be, just like every other skill in life you have to practice to be good at it and the same goes for their games, learn enemy patterns and you'll git gud, people are just too lazy and impatient nowadays and just want to be a super soldier who doesn't die a single time ever.

[zahdab]

if you are playing these games expecting an easy difficulty you might as well watch a playthrough on youtube while holding a controller

[ITPython]

The only question that needs to be asked: How does having an easy mode affect your normal/hard playthrough?

I'll give you a hint, it doesn't. So why do you care so much?

I think the real issue here is egotistical gamers. Hate to break it to you guys, but beating a game isn't some kind of grand accomplishment that moves you up in life. You gain nothing by doing it, and nobody cares that you did.

The only argument against an easy mode is if your ego would be bruised if somebody else, not as "capable" as you, could beat the game as well. Thus making your "accomplishment" seem less valuable.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

So the reason FromSoftware didn't implement any difficulty options in their games is gamers' ego? I can imagine the backlash if they did, but wouldn't that open up their games to a wider audience (a sound business decision)? 12 years making souls games should give people a hint that FromSoftware want to make their games that way. Remember how their fans were sceptical of Sekiro, being 'more accessible,' published by Activision and all that? The game kicked more Souls-veterans' arses than it did casuals'.

FromSoftware games are all about overcoming the difficulty. That's what they want to make. Elden Ring seems to be no different. People should recognise it's not for them and move on. There's no shortage of good games out there.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

I can play how I want on PC, I can use a trainer and there is god mode and whatever else they have in the trainer as well. Money, infinite ammo etc. See on PC we can always win and do what the hell we want 😀👍

[iplay1up2]

It doesn't hurt those who choose to play the game the way the developers intended! Why not allow those who are less experienced, or not good at video games to enjoy the game? Up, up, down, down, B, A, Select, start!

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Maybe ask FromSoftware that question? They know what their games are about better than anyone (hint: it's the difficult gameplay).

[GamingSinceForever]

Every time a From Software game gets close
to release these difficulty articles pop up.

[Daeloki]

I don't get this weird gatekeeping mentality with these games. Who cares if some people choose to play it on easy, it doesn't take away from those playing it on hard. If you want your "proof" for having done it on hard, then lock certain trophies behind difficulty settings...

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Maybe there's gatekeeping, but I don't get why people want to play From's games on easy. All of their games' focus is on the difficult gameplay, combat in particular. If they water it down, what else is left? There's no spoon-fed story. No open world-like quests. Lore? Item description reading, is that what people want? You are better off just watching a story/lore playthrough on YouTube.

[Daeloki]

The game can still be challenging just because it's on easy, doesn't even have to be called easy let's say Casual mode or something. I remember having trouble with a bunch of challenges/bosses in God of War even though I wasn't playing on the highest difficulties. The problem is that not everyone has the time or "natural skills" to play most From's games as they are. An easier setting would allow more people to play and enjoy the game. There are people who would love these games, but when you only have time to game a few hours now and then, it's not exactly fun to get into a game only to get mainly beat up and making minimal progress. Even if you argue that when you beat a specific part of a game, it feels rewarding, that feeling of reward will be snuffed out as the game decides to mess you up seconds later again.

[Nacho_Z]

Miyazaki sticks with one difficulty because he likes the idea of everyone having the same shared experience. If you talk about a certain moment in any of their games then every player who has gone through it knows exactly what you're talking about and the water isn't muddied by having easier difficulties in the mix.

There's something pure about that which I like and respect.

[LucidIllusion]

In life, either you get busy working or busy dying. Quit trying to mold something for your personal taste unless you're making it for yourself.