U4GM - How Elden Ring’s Rune Economy Compares to Other Souls Games
The Elden Ring rune economy plays a pivotal role in the game's progression and character development. Unlike other Souls games, which rely on souls or other forms of currency, Elden Ring uses a unique system of runes that is deeply embedded in the world and gameplay mechanics. These runes are essential for everything from leveling up to purchasing items, offering players a different approach to managing resources compared to previous entries in the Souls series.

At its core, Elden Ring Runes are a form of currency that players acquire by defeating enemies, completing tasks, and exploring the vast world of the Lands Between. Much like souls in Dark Souls, runes serve as both experience points and the medium through which players enhance their character's abilities. However, the way these runes are used and the risk of losing them adds a distinctive challenge to the gameplay.
One of the most significant aspects of Elden Ring is its open-world structure, which means that the accumulation and use of runes are tied to a variety of activities across the game's massive landscape. In contrast, previous Souls games had more linear or confined environments where the economy was more predictable. In Elden Ring, the presence of numerous enemies and bosses scattered throughout the world means that players can choose how they want to farm or accumulate runes. The economy is less structured and more organic, reflecting the game's vast scale and its focus on exploration and discovery.
So, what are the runes for in Elden Ring? Primarily, they serve as a means to level up your character. Players can spend their accumulated runes at Sites of Grace to increase stats such as strength, dexterity, intelligence, and endurance. However, runes are also essential for purchasing items, upgrading weapons, and even respecing your character to optimize your build. This multifaceted use of runes creates a balancing act for players who need to decide how best to spend their hard-earned currency.
In terms of risk and reward, Elden Ring introduces an interesting twist on the traditional Souls formula. When a player dies, they drop their runes at the location of their death, and if they are unable to return to that spot, those runes are lost forever. This adds an element of tension and strategy as players must weigh the potential rewards of exploring dangerous areas against the risk of losing their valuable runes.
Comparing this to previous Souls games, such as Dark Souls or Bloodborne, the rune economy in Elden Ring feels more expansive and less confined. In Dark Souls, players typically farm souls from specific locations or enemies, and the process of earning souls is fairly linear. Bloodborne followed a similar model, with echoes used as currency. However, the open-world nature of Elden Ring creates a more fluid economy, where runes can be earned in a variety of ways, and the player has more control over how to farm and spend them.
In summary, Elden Ring Runes represent a key aspect of the game's progression system, providing players with the tools to enhance their character and engage with the world in meaningful ways. The comparison with other Souls games highlights the unique approach that Elden Ring takes with its economy. By integrating runes into the open-world experience, Elden Ring introduces a new level of depth to its resource management system, allowing for greater freedom, risk, and reward.