Summary
While FromSoftware has been experimenting with open-ended game worlds since its debut title,King’s Field,Elden Ringis the first truly open-world game to come from the Japanese studio. Though interconnected level design had been baked intoFromSoftware’s DNAfor a while, there were plenty of other open-world features that FromSoft needed to implement for the first time withElden Ring, and that included an open-world mount.
With more space to traverse than any previous FromSoftware game, and with a world map that eclipses even games likeSkyrim,Elden Ringdefinitely needed some kind of traversal, and that came in the form of Torrent, the player’s trusty Spectral Steed. Essentially a horse with horns, Torrent plays a vital role inElden Ring’s base game, and it’s a role that only grows bigger in the recently released Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Elden Ring’s Torrent Might Be The Best Mount in Gaming
What Makes a Good Gaming Mount
Mounts have existed as long as the open-world genre has, so naturally, there have been a few beloved steeds over the last few decades.
The Legend of Zelda’s Epona,The Witcher’s Roach, and the player’s own customizable horse inRed Dead Redemption 2all stand out as some of the best mounts in gaming as they all tick a few fundamental boxes. The actual traversal mechanics of each of these mounts feels perfectly suited to the game they’re found in.
For instance,Zelda’s Epona is fast and agile, whileRed Dead Redemption 2’s horsesare slower and more grounded. But the best gaming mounts also offer some type of additional practicality, whether it’s storing weapons and gear, being used to unlock areas of the map previously unreachable, or being able to unlock a new, distinct type of combat.
Torrent Played an Invaluable Role In Elden Ring
Elden Ring’s Torrentquickly joined the pantheon of best gaming mounts upon the game’s initial release in 2022. Torrent’s movement felt perfectly suited toElden Ring’s open-world design and gameplay, and he had plenty of additional uses. For example, Torrent’s double jump allowed the player to reach areas of the map they otherwise wouldn’t be able to on foot.
Torrent also became an invaluable asset duringElden Ring’s many open-field boss battles, allowing players to quickly strafe around their target and avoid sweeping attacks much more reliably. Without Torrent, these large-scale boss fights become much more challenging, with players needing to time their dodges very precisely to avoid now-devastating attacks.
Torrent is now available to ride during the Elden Beast boss fight inElden Ring, too.
Torrent’s Usefulness Has Been Dialed Up In Shadow of the Erdtree
Therecently releasedElden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeDLConly continues to show just how invaluable Torrent is to theElden Ringexperience. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduces another handful of hulking open-field bosses, most of which heavily encourage the use of Torrent. The DLC also emphasizes verticality in its open-world level design, meaning that players are often required to use Torrent to discover new areas both above and below them.
Torrent’s importance in the DLC is highlighted even further with Shadow of the Erdtree’s new Revered Spirit Ash upgrade material, an item that increases Torrent’s ability to negate and deal damage. Shadow of the Erdtree makes it clearer than ever just how much of a crucial role Torrent plays inElden Ring.
Elden Ring
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
