At the moment, the video game industry is dominated by two enormous cultural behemoths. Wordle is one such game; it’s a basic word-guessing game with 3 million players, and many of them have been playing the game’s new puzzles every day for months. Elden Ring, a violent fantasy role-playing game published in February, has been hailed by reviewers and gamers alike. As of this writing, it is estimated that the PC version of the multi-platform game has sold 10 million copies.
Graphics/Art
They’re completely distinct games in every way. What with Wordle’s lack of visuals and the fact that you die rather than lose if you can’t answer Elden Ring’s riddles, it’s clear that this isn’t a game in which you can afford to lose. Though they’re quite different, no two games in 2022 have sparked as much debate as these two. They are early candidates for Game of the Year and won’t be forgotten dordle or surpassed very soon. There can only be one greatest game of the year, but we can still speculate: Is Wordle or Elden Ring more worthy of the title?
To address this, I defined 10 standards of gaming greatness against which to evaluate them. It’s clear that Elden Ring would defeat Wordle in a real-life video game battle by clubbing it to death with the severed femur of a goblin king. Meanwhile, keep reading to find out which game triumphs in this hypothetical matchup with significantly lesser stakes.
Gameplay
Since video games are mostly seen on a screen, analyzing their visual presentation is a natural place to begin. The planet of Elden Ring is a rich fantasy setting. This game is like stepping inside a picture by Hieronymus Bosch; it’s detailed, fascinating, and odd. Wordle’s so-called “graphics” are really just squares of color coded emoji in shades of green, yellow, and gray. Yuck. No contest here; Elden Ring is the undisputed victor in this first category.
Video games are defined by their gameplay, which is different from their visuals and audio. Intuitive controls, a compelling story, and total immersion are the hallmarks of a great game. Elden Ring’s gameplay is built on spelunking, with players being rewarded for discovering every nook and cranny of the game’s vast open universe. Dungeon crawling with intense fighting and boss encounters with a puzzle element are included. There’s a lot to love, and everything fits together well. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of the controls, and once you do, playing feels fantastic. Playing as a different class of character opens up vastly diverse play styles, all of which seem well conceived and gratifying.
The game mechanics of Wordle may be picked up in a matter of seconds, and it supports several play styles. It’s a nice balance of mental challenge and accessibility. It also contains an option for “hard mode,” which requires you to utilize your past guesses as clues in your current try.
Story
However, many “hardcore” Wordlers have discovered that there are methods to maximize their Wordle approach. The best word to start with, how to finish each day’s problem in as few rounds as possible, and other rigorous tactics have been the subject of many videos, articles, and Twitter threads. That said, you don’t have to do any of them. Playing Wordle might be a relaxing pastime if that’s what you’re interested in.
Wordle is the victor. While the prizes in Elden Ring are more diverse and the learning curve is shorter, the game’s menus are bothersome, and the camera may be a little wonky at times. A bug causes instant death if you get entangled in a tree or a piece of furniture. Wordle, on the other hand, lacks a camera, menus, and potentially deadly bugs. It’s simple to learn, fun to play, and addicting in its simplicity.
There has been discussion, at least, concerning whether or not good writing is necessary for a successful game. Personally, I don’t think so, and I think Wordle is a fantastic example of the kind of game whose excellent gameplay needs no explanation.
