From the start of Elden Ring, if you continue in the direction the game points, you’ll come to the gates of Castle Stormveil. At first glance, the crumbling ramparts and mad knights of Stormveil are well-known territory for Souls fans. However, its characteristics and familiar enemies are more than a rehash of Souls games that came before it.
Stormveil Castle is a celebration of how far From Software has come since the days of Demon’s Souls. Littered with secret paths, missable enemies, and brutal group combat, Stormveil isn’t just a microcosm of Elden Ring, but also one of the best gaming levels of 2022.