Elden Ringwas anticipated to release in 2022 to rather favorable reviews thanks in large part toFromSoftware’s high-quality development and their track record in regards to critical reception. What wasn’t foreseen is just how well the game would sell to the mainstream gaming audience. It was reported in February of 2023 that the action role-playing game had sold 20 million units worldwide.
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FromSoftware recently announced that DLC forElden Ringtitled “Shadow of the Erdtree"is inactive development, but due to the overwhelming success of the game, it’s safe to assume that an eventual sequel is likely also on the horizon. If/when that does happen the fandom will hope for the return of fan-favorite characters from The Lands Between coming back in some form or another.
8Nepheli Loux
Despite NPCs in FromSoftware titles often having questlines that end in varied outcomes, the fandom will often decide on what feels like the canon ending to each of them.Nepheli Loux is a female warrior found in Stormveil Castlewho tells the players it’s her mission to kill Godrick the Grafted. Her quest revolves around taking the throne in Stormveil Castle and players can help her do so provided they avoid poisoning her by not giving her Preceptor Seluvis' concoction.
Sure, it’d be neat if Nepheli Loux was a friendly NPC inElden Ring 2, but it might be much more interesting if she returned as a corrupted ruler. Despite her sole mission revolving around overcoming and dismantling what Godrick the Grafted had become, she ultimately was no better and evolved into just as demented of a monstrosity.
7Boc
What is a FromSoftware title if it doesn’t include familiar weirdos that bring with them specific interactions that help build the world into a fully realized and living entity? Boc is a hyper-intelligent demi-human who resembles a chimpanzee and is found disguised as a tiny tree. He’s a seamster who allows the player to alter their gear without having to pay runes to do so.
Elden Ringhas various NPCs that can either be avoided or missed entirely simply due to the vastness of The Lands Between. In anElden Ringsequel, it’d be neat if he became a more unmissable character and possibly found a permanent post in whatever the newest version of the Roundtable Hold would be.
6Miriel, Pastor Of Vows
There was a moment in time in the weeks following the release ofElden Ringwhere the internet couldn’t get enough of what it labeled as “Pope Turtle.” Now, this merchant does indeed have an actual name, that being Miriel, Pastor of Vows. The funny thing with this encounter is that it happens a bit later in the game and chances are by this point the player has killed a fair amount of innocent turtles.
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Magic users will find his shop invaluable, while everyone else simply enjoys his company. Attacking and killing him is seen as an unforgivable sin within the Elden Ring community and it’s safe to say his return in whatever the future ofElden Ringbecomes would be met with open arms and wide smiles.
5Goldmask
Elden Ringbrought a lot of refreshing new energy to a subgenre FromSoftware created and perfected. Their games are embedded with their own tropes and patterns, but the story in The Lands Between did break the mold in one interesting way. Typically, their games begin with an introductory cinematic that sets up the world and introduces a handful of primary bosses the players will need to defeat.
ForElden Ring, this introduction is a mixed bag of boss fights, but also a couple of optional NPC characters that don’t necessarily live up to the grandeur and presence displayed in the game’s opening minutes. Goldmask is one of these characters who feel like a creepy living being corrupted by greed, glory, or the sun. He feels connected to Solaire of theDark Soulstrilogy in some ways, but his questline is rather forgettable, along with his place in the world.Elden Ring 2could really bring him full circle and allow players to take on the version of Goldmask that introduced him as something greater.
4Patches
Saying Patches needs to return isn’t a tough ask considering the vile trickster has appeared in every Souls-like game developed by FromSoftware. InDemon’s Souls, theDark Soulstrilogy,andElden Ringhe’s a pale bald armored jerk who often pursues riches at the player’s expense.
Bloodborneprovided the most off-putting incarnation of him, as his head was placed on the body of a large spider. In the world of FromSoftware games, it’s fair to say that the only things certain in them are difficulty…and the appearance of Patches.
3Iron Fist Alexander
The marketing forElden Ringleading up to its release really placed an emphasis on a character that seemed to be a sentient pot of sorts. Well, it turns out that the design belonged to an entire species of creatures called Living Jars that the player can take down in the game. There also happened to be a highly-intelligent Living Jarnamed Iron Fist Alexanderwho is singularly focused on becoming a famous and respected warrior.
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Alexander is the closest thing to the Knights of Catarina from theDark Soulsseries thatElden Ringhas. He’s immediately endearing and charismatic and positions himself in a way that makes players want to help him accomplish his dreams and ambitions.
2Torrent
Some might argue thatTorrent is simply a rideable mount inElden Ringand replacing it with another horse or animal would be perfectly fine. Though there is truth to that sentiment, that doesn’t mean that Torrent shouldn’t return as the player’s most efficient form of transportation.
WhenElden Ringlaunched there was a conspiracy theory that it was named Torrent in an attempt to limit piracy ofElden Ringas searching for “Elden Ringtorrent” would result in information regarding the horse and not actual torrent resources for FromSoftware’s latest title. If that’s the case, then why not run it back and cause headaches for those in search of torrent sites forElden Ring 2?
1Blacksmith Hewg
Fans of theDark Soulstrilogy knew how special it was that the blacksmith known as Andre appeared in every game. That through-line brought a connective tissue that wasn’t as apparent in many other aspects of the series. In that same fashion,Elden Ring’s blacksmith named Hewgalso needs to return if the game sees a sequel release in the coming years.
Some have speculated that he is actually this universe’s Andre as the two have similar designs. Whether that’s true or not, it’s one hundred percent guaranteed thatElden Ring 2will have weapons that need blacksmithing and the only person skilled and trustworthy enough to do so is Hewg.
Elden Ringis available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
