FromSoft may terrify players of future games with an Elden Ring homage

FromSoftware has earned a reputation for offering players incredibly challenging combat Elden Ring it certainly continues this tradition. The various bosses meet him Elden Ring players are subject to having set a new standard for FromSoftware. This is exciting, but also terrifying, as whatever game FromSoftware brings to the table next is sure to be a challenge Elden Ringthe level of difficulty.

There is a long list of Elden Ring bosses to face, but there is one in particular that strikes fear into the hearts of many players. Opinions differ greatly on which is the boss Elden Ring is the hardest, but there are many players who would put Radahn at the top of the list. While optional, it must be defeated to unlock the The shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which makes it a rather frustrating obstacle for those who want to try the expansion. If FromSoftware wants to instantly ignite fear in its next game, subtle nods to Radahn would be a great way to build suspense.

FromSoftware takes inspiration from Radahn's name

A small, but potentially effective, hint about the difficulty of the boss

In the base game, Radahn is known as Starscourge Radahn, while he is called Promised Consort Radahn in The shadow of the Erdtree. If FromSoftware wants to use Radahn's infamous reputation as a tool to make a boss intimidating, subtle nods to the character's name could be an effective method. Whether it's his name in the base game or the DLC title, both could be used as inspiration.

Starscourge Radahn paints a vivid picture

For those unfamiliar, the flail is a type of whip historically used as a form of punishment. So, Radahn's base game name technically means “star whip,” which uses some charming imagery to create the character's identity. FromSoftware may have a lot of material to work with to choose a boss name that is in the style of Starscourge Radahn. The contrast of Radahn's name is fascinating. The image of celestial beauty laced with painful punishment is compelling, and this naming method could be very effective for future bosses at FromSoftware.

Radahn is called many names, but “conqueror of the stars” makes even more sense when given deeper context to Starscourge's definition.

Radahn's role as Miquella's consort is frightening

Radahn can be optional in the basic version of Elden RingBut The shadow of the Erdtree players had the misfortune of facing him as the final boss of the DLC. Its second phase is particularly notorious, as it requires near-perfect timing and memorization of patterns, which is much easier said than done. The title of the Promised Consort Radahn in the DLC could also be used to inspire the name of another scary boss in the future. Using the word “promised” in a boss's name might be an obvious sign that players should be at their best if they want to successfully complete an encounter. Many saw Starscourge Radahn as an absurd experience, but Promised Consort Radahn proved that FromSoftware could create an even more infuriating boss fight.

While the developer clearly wanted to deliver a heart-pounding challenge, there was also a lot to learn from Radahn. The character has had to be nerfed in the past following player feedback, which has hopefully informed FromSoftware on how to make difficult bosses more balanced. Challenging bosses can be a lot of fun, but Radahn was pushing the limits for many players. However, FromSoftware can pay homage to the boss in a way that immediately intimidates players.

Radahn's nerfs fixed the character's hitboxes and reduced the amount of damage he deals.

Even if FromSoftware pulls back a bit in the next game, Radahn's pre-nerf reputation has likely had a lasting impact on many players. Therefore, his name may be borrowed in a future title to warn players that the enemy they are about to face should not be considered probable. A new boss name containing Radahn, or one of his nicknames like Starscourge, could scare anyone who's played the game Elden Ring and especially those who won The shadow of the Erdtree. As FromSoftware continues to bring fascinating stories to life, it'll be intriguing to see what terrifying boss fight the developer has in store next.