Enotria: The Last Songis soul-like and intends to offer something a little different from thetried and tested FromSoft modelwhile still maintaining all theSouls staples we know and love.
This is something that plenty have tried and failed to do in the past, but the good news is thatEnotriamanages to carve out a name for itself in this competitive sub-genre.
Enotria: The Last Song Delayed On Xbox Indefinitely
Developers had initially planned to release Enotria: The Last Song on Xbox consoles, but a recent Twitter statement has canceled these plans.
This game does this by offering large areas to explore, loads of items and builds to experiment with, and a wealth of bosses and tough enemies that will put those builds to the test.
It’s a grueling experience, but if you heed my advice and take note of these beginner tips, you just might blitz through the game’s opening hours.
1Parry First, Dodge Second
As with every Souls-Like, you need to establish what approach works best.InBlack Myth Wukong,it’s all about dodging attacks, whereas inSekiro,it’s all about blocking and parrying.
Well,Enotriaisa bit of a mixed bag, but the emphasis is most definitely on parrying. Dodging can be used to get distance from your enemy fast and avoid ranged attacks, but when up close and personal, parrying is what works best.
So take the time to get a feel for how parrying feels in this game, and you’ll be a parrying ace in no time at all.
Also, be sure to go into your loadout and check what Parrying Stone you have equipped, as some are better against different enemy types and could give you an edge in battle.
2Little and Large
InEnotria,unlike most Souls games, you don’t have access to your build unless you are at one of the checkpoints within the game. This essentially means that the weapons, roles, and lines you run with are what you are stuck with until you rest again.
So, it’s important to have two weapons that offer unique approaches to combat. Ideally, you want a physical and a status weapon to call upon. Plus, you want these to be a little and large combo, such as a Longsword and a Colossal Greatsword.
This means if you face a huge enemy, you’ll have a big bonk stick to call upon, and against more agile foes, you’ll have a faster weapon to dip in and out of close-quarters combat.
Alternatively, if you’re like me and don’t want to use anything other than big bonk sticks, you can equip two weapons with differing status effects, meaning if one is ineffective, you always have another to call upon.
3Learn How Status Effects Work
If you’re a regular Souls player, you may be used to the usual terminology relating to status effects such as bleed, burn, poison, and such.
However, inEnotria, there are new effects that you will need to get your head around, and it’s important you do, as knowing your enemy’s weakness is vital.
The four different status damage types that you will need to get to grips with in the game areVis, Fatuo, Gratia, and Malanno, which deal Dizzy, Wicked, Radiant and Sick build-up,respectively.
Certain weapons will lean into each status effect, so it can be a helpful tactic to consider upgrading one weapon for each status effect, meaning you will always have something geared to every type of enemy.
Status effects tend to be double-edged swords, where they offer a perk at the cost of being ailed with something else. For example, Dizzy makes you more susceptible to damage, but also makes your attacks more powerful.
4Set Up Your Loadouts
As mentioned, inEnotriayou won’t be able to change your loadout on the fly, and will need to rest at a checkpoint to swap out weapons, roles and lines. However, what you can dois create up to three custom Loadoutsthat can then be swapped to on the fly.
These can be set up almost like different classes, allowing players to go from a bulky soldier type, to a nimble rogue in seconds flat.
This can be helpful if you need to change your strategy to defeat a particular enemy type, so build a few diverse builds, and you’ll be equipped to handle just about any occasion.
5If You’re Struggling, Skip The Monastery of Maja
At the beginning of the game, you’ll be working your way through the starting area known as Quinta, and this will ultimately lead to you fighting Zanni, the main boss of the area.
However, along the way, after beating Curtis, Prince of Laughter, you’ll have the opportunity to diverge from the main path and explore the Monastery of Maja.
This is a tough area with two relatively tricky bosses, and can be a tough ask for newbies. So, if you feel like this area is too much, just head toward Zanni and come back to this area some other time. Alternatively, some grinding in lower-level areas should be done before taking this area on.
6Refund and Respec
You’ll notice that there are loads of weapons that can be found in this game, and a lot of options that can be chosen on your Path of Innovation.
Yet, despite all the choices available, there is pressure to use your resources to upgrade a very select few.Without upgrading, you won’t get very far,so I would urge players to dive in and upgrade anything they vibe with.
Four Mechanics To Look Forward To In Enotria: The Last Song
Enotria: The Last Song adapts and builds on many Soulslike mechanics, here are some of the best we found in the demo.
Not only because this will make progression easier but also because players will be able to refund any materials spent and respec their character with ease,provided they have a Severed Braid of the Maiden.In short, don’t hoard your resources; use them, and you’ll eventually find your preferred build.
While you will get your resources spent back when refunding, you will not get the Memoria spent the first time around back. So while this is a welcome option, if you don’t want to grind for Memoria constantly, don’t use this option too often.
7Know Your Role
Much likeBlack Myth Wukong, and its gimmickallowing you to transform into different bosses, inEnotria, players will be able to wear different masks to embody the actors they encounter.
This will start with just the three default options, but before long, you’ll have several to choose from, each with its own unique perks.
The key here is to choose a Role/Mask that best suits your playstyle.A good beginner option is Zanni’s Mask, as this provides extra healing, but over time, you’ll find the one that works best for you. Just be sure to check out any new masks that you unlock.
8Test Out Every Mask Line
InEnotria, there are special powers known as Mask Lines, which are effectively like special attacks which charge over time as you deal damage to enemies. These are a mixed bag in terms of power and viability, and some will suit your playstyle, whereas others will feel completely out of place.
The good news is that there are loads of these to collect in the game,but the bad news is that there’s no demo of each effect,and the only way to know if the power is for you is by equipping and testing them.
I would suggest that you swap out some new options at every checkpoint until you find four that you really like, and then when you like your combination of lines, youcan start upgrading them to get the most out of each special attack.
9Visit The Merchant Often
After you defeat Zanni in Quinta,you’ll gain access to a hub area known as the Theater of the Masks.This is an area where you’re able to make use of a number of utilities, but the most valuable of these is the merchant.
This merchant can be found in a room down the hall left of the main stage, and once activated, this Mercantile Amulet will allow you to trade your items, sell valuable gear, and buy new Weapons, Mask Lines, and more.
I would suggest returning often to see if they have any new stock and sell items like Valuable Shells that you will have in ample supply.
Also, Isuggest you save up andpurchase all their Ambrosia Expansions and Amplifiers, as these will be invaluable as you progressto tougher areas.
10Specialize Early
WhileEnotriais a game that allows for a lot of experimentation and flexibility when it comes to builds, it still makes sense to figure out your preferred class early and lean into that class.
These classes tend to be broken down into the four pillars of the Path of Innovators,which are Battlemage, Bruiser, Trickster, and Elementalist.
All of these are helpful, and you’ll gain all of these eventually, but you’ll want to focus on the path that serves your playstyle best initially.
For example, I love Colossal Swords, which meant that the path of the Bruiser was a no-brainer. It still makes sense to unlock the cheaper options along each respective path, but be sure to save your resources for the bigger upgrades that mesh with your chosen playstyle.
