Yes, these black lines are a common feature in Elden Ring.
Yes, these black lines are a common feature in Elden Ring.
From what I found online, Elden Ring seems to add pillarboxes at ultra-wide settings for some technical reason. It might be a glitch or a camera effect. I’m not sure if it appears in other games, but there might be a mod to fix it.
It’s disappointing to know Elden Ring doesn’t support ultra-wide mode, as the developers didn’t plan for it. In 21:9 you see black bars added artificially. It’s frustrating, especially for online play. Offline, certain mods let you use 21:9 and higher frame rates, but disabling EAC blocks regular online access. Sometimes after a patch or update the game resets the black bars for a short time before they reappear. This suggests they were added later in development rather than being an original limitation.
I’m focusing on using the mod to enable Ultrawide screen but don’t want to miss out on important content. I’ve played all Dark Souls titles (1–3) and think about only a few things: random invasions, summoning signs for assistance, PVP zones, and the occasional invasion attempt. Honestly, I’m not great at PVP—I usually lose most invasions. In PVE it’s tough enough, but I’m aware Elden Ring is a major title. Besides those points, what else might be missing?
Not really, perhaps to illustrate the differences between ER and DS 1-3. There have been several updates to MP, like limiting the number of players to four. Random Invasions are no longer common except for NPC ones; now they occur only in co-op when a phantom is summoned or when an item attracts them. There are no PvP covenants as they were in previous titles. Summon signs are easier to use thanks to the open world design—you must employ a special item to make them visible first. Summon signs can now be sent to or placed at a "summoning pool" or remain in their usual location. These pools are positioned near bosses or at the start of dungeons, which helps locate both allies and summoners. Activating a summoning pool once is required for your sign to be sent there. There’s an invasion quest available, but you can also complete it offline using NPC invasions. Additionally, a dedicated PvP arena has been introduced. Some players might miss out on messages and ghosts, though others enjoy that aspect.
She's right, I didn't think about floor messages before. They can be amusing and helpful at times. I even send my own. Back in DS3, I used to get random health boosts this way. Maybe I'll try offline play for NG1, but for now I'll stick to online with the limited screen. It feels more open-ended compared to what I've seen. I'm having trouble because I worry I might end up in the wrong or too tough areas. This is definitely the part I dislike most about ER. Out of all the gameplay experiences I've had, besides caves, a lot of the scenery seems identical across a big grassy area. That's why I enjoyed DS2 and 3, since you can easily tell when you've moved into a new section.
This area remains consistent with your previous location—likely Limgrave or the Weeping Peninsula. You haven’t reached Caelid or Liurnia yet. You’ll recognize a new zone in Elden Ring once you cross into those regions, even if it means revisiting the old ones.
The experience is substantial. Most of the content you’ll find in tutorials comes from the initial zones (Limgrave or Weeping Peninsula), but there are numerous other locations. Some areas remain concealed, others are accessible. You’ll encounter open fields, desolate zones, expansive lakes, mountains and snow, volcanic formations, a massive tree, and subterranean streams. There are also several major dungeons to explore. Many aspects of the game can be skipped without losing progress, though it may help. There’s no straightforward route through the game. Unlike typical open-world titles that offer a structured tour, this journey requires you to decide your own path. Encountering tougher foes or bosses often signals you’re ahead of schedule. There are several routes to completion as well. I’d also advise that combat feels more fluid and rapid, so mastering the new systems is essential—repeating old patterns won’t be effective.