History YMMV / EldenRing

** The network test has a good one; one of the side dungeons has a boss that has a large, rather Catarina-esque pumpkin-shaped helmet. The name of it? ''Pumpkin Head.'' You even get the helmet for defeating it! Also, [[RewatchBonus go back and rewatch]] the Godrick fight in the gameplay preview video. Pumpkin Head will be a summonable spirit in the full game!

* EnsembleDarkHorse: The gameplay trailer and one of the promotional screenshots showed off [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3nV1SgWQAI-oSr?format=jpg&name=medium these pot mimic creatures]] that instantly endeared themselves to the fanbase. This only intensified when the gameplay preview video introduced Alexander, a [[DarkIsNotEvil friendly pot mimic NPC]] with a jovial personality similar to that of previous fan-favourite characters like Solaire, Siegmeyer, or Siegward. Notably, the player finds Alexander in quite a pickle...or a hole in the earth, we should say, much like the conundrums the knights of Catarina would find themselves in. The player can then dislodge them by smacking Alexander with a blunt weapon, which the guy takes like a champ.

** The network test has a good one; one of the side dungeons has a boss that has a large, rather Catarina-esque pumpkin-shaped helmet. The name of it? ''Pumpkin Head.'' You even get the helmet for defeating it!

** "have you ever heared of the [[AccidentalInnuendo Finger Maidenss]]"
-->''Melina''

* EnsembleDarkHorse: The gameplay trailer and one of the promotional screenshots showed off [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3nV1SgWQAI-oSr?format=jpg&name=medium these pot mimic creatures]] that instantly endeared themselves to the fanbase. This only intensified when the gameplay preview video introduced Alexander, a [[DarkIsNotEvil friendly pot mimic NPC]] with a jovial personality similar to that of previous fan-favourite characters like Solaire, Siegmeyer, or Siegward.

* WinTheCrowd: The network test effectively eradicated any doubts as to the game's potential quality, proving to be a 'best of' of previous mechanics (powerful magic, twinblades and powerstancing, VideoGame/DarkSouls levels of poise but without the ability to walk through an attack for an easy backstab, stealth and jumping, and weapon arts), albeit tweaked and improved, with some new ones sprinkled in (attacking after a successful block for a strong counterattack, horseback traversal and combat, crafting ammo and consumables, and summoning friendly creatures to fight by your side in certain areas). Additionally, the world proved highly rewarding to explore, with caravans, camps and even field bosses scattered about it. Most people who were on the fence likely were fully onboard after that.

* FandomRivalry: With fans of the VideoGame/DemonsSouls remake, when the latter declared that gameplay footage of Elden Ring lacked the visual fidelity of the Demons Souls remake. Elden Ring fans fired back, [[https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/qopdhg/chad_art_direction_vs_virgin_graphical_fidelity/ arguing that Elden Ring had better art direction]], and pointing out that Demons Souls was a remake of a mostly-linear 2009 game with discreet levels, as opposed to a fully explorable open world game.

* WinTheCrowd: The network test effectively eradicated any doubts as to the game's potential quality, proving to be a 'best of' of previous mechanics(powerful magic, twinblades and powerstancing, VideoGame/DarkSouls levels of poise but without the ability to walk through an attack for an easy backstab, stealth and jumping, and weapon arts), albeit tweaked and improved, with some new ones sprinkled in(attacking after a successful block for a strong counterattack, horseback traversal and combat, crafting ammo and consumables, and summoning friendly creatures to fight by your side in certain areas). Additionally, the world proved highly rewarding to explore, with caravans, camps and even field bosses scattered about it. Most people who were on the fence likely were fully onboard after that.

* FandomRivalry: With fans of the VideoGame/DemonsSouls remake, when the latter declared that gameplay footage of Elden Ring lacked the visual fidelity of the Demons Souls remake. Elden Ring fans fired back, [[https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/qopdhg/chad_art_direction_vs_virgin_graphical_fidelity/ arguing that Elden Ring had better art direction]], and pointing out that Demons Souls was a remake of a linear 2009 game with discreet levels, as opposed to a fully explorable open world game.

** ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII 2'' [[labelnote:Explanation]]With the game's colorful art direction, wide areas, and the return of powerstancing, it's become common to joke that the game is specifically a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Dark Souls II'', especially as the latter was originally intended to be more open world.[[/labelnote]]

* EnsembleDarkHorse: Alexander, the pot mimic first seem in the gameplay preview, became one of the most talked about and popular characters in the video due to him being a very unusual [[DarkIsNotEvil friendly mimic]], with a jolly and goofy behavior that instantly caught player attention. The fact that a ''pot mimic'' of all things seems to be an ally to the Tarnished helped him become popular too.

** ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII 2'' [[labelnote:Explanation]]With the game's colorful art direction, open world, and the return of powerstancing, it's become common to joke that the game is specifically a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Dark Souls II'', especially as the latter was originally intended to be open world.[[/labelnote]]

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: Of all of the enemies shown in the trailer, a ''pot mimic'' has proven to be one of the more memorable designs.

** Hollowing [[labelnote:Explanation]]In the two year gap between the reveal and the release date being confirmed, fans of the soulsborne series started making jokes about turning Hollow, a state from ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' that results from the lack of hope or drive[[/labelnote]]

* EnsembleDarkHorse: Alexander, the pot mimic first seem in the gameplay preview, became one of the most talked about and popular characters in the video due to him being a very unusual [[DarkIsNotEvil friendly mimic]], with a jolly and goofy behavior that instantly catched player attention. The fact that a ''pot mimic'' of all things seems to be an ally to the Tarnished helped him become popular too.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Or at least "It's the Same So It's Not Quite As Exciting As Hoped"; while a minority opinion since most people are extremely excited about the game, there has been some criticism after the full reveal trailer showed off the gameplay along the lines "So it's ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' with a horse...?" Amusingly, a common response is "Yes, and?"

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Or at least "It's the Same So It's Not Quite As Exciting As Hoped"; while a minority opinion since most people are extremely excited about the game, there has been some criticism after the full reveal trailer showed off the gameplay along the lines "So it's ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' with a horse...?"

** Glaive Master Hodir[[labelnote:Explanation]]Since it took ''two years'' between the reveal of the game and any tangible information about gameplay and release date, with total silence in between, fans of the Soulsborne series started making fake posts on subreddits asking for help fighting made-up bosses for the game, the most memorable of which being Glaive Master Hodir[[/labelnote]]

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Or at least "It's the Same So It's Not Quite As Exciting As Hoped"; while a minority opinion since most people are extremely excited about the game, there has been some criticism after the full reveal trailer showed off the gameplay along the lines "So it's ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' with a horse...?"

* SugarWiki/AndTheFandomRejoiced: After two years of silence, the gameplay trailer dropped, confirming once and for all that Elden Ring exists and hasn't been cancelled.

* AndThenTheFandomRejoiced: After two years of silence, the gameplay trailer dropped, confirming once and for all that Elden Ring exists and hasn't been cancelled.

* AndTheFandomRejoiced: After two years of silence, the gameplay trailer dropped, confirming once and for all that Elden Ring exists and hasn't been cancelled.

** Glaive Master Hodir[[labelnote:Explanation]]Since it took ''a year'' between the reveal of the game and any tangible information about gameplay and release date, with total silence in between, fans of the Soulsborne series started making fake posts on subreddits asking for help fighting made-up bosses for the game, the most memorable of which being Glaive Master Hodir[[/labelnote]]

* MemeticMutation: "Ohhhhh, Elden Ring...", a line from the original reveal, became this in the intervening years prior to the gameplay trailer.