The check-list maps that are found in Ubisoft games are often a hindrance to the journey between two points. The most memorable encounters only show up at points of Elden Ring Runes interest, however, the rest of the map feels empty. If you even get to a specific point of interest, you usually know what you can expect because the map icon reveals the kind of goal that is in store.
Within Elden Ring, even if you know you'll soon be entering a dungeon or castle it's impossible to tell what's going to happen within those walls. You could find yourself in a maze courtyard brimming with gigantic damaged hands that can shoot out magic at you, or even a surprisingly friendly celebration with NPCs.
The truth is, it's more common to have no clue as to what you're in for which is the appeal that is Elden Ring. Even Souls veterans get a shock in Elden Ring, with most areas featuring plenty of surprises. There's for instance an area called"the Carian Study Hall that appears to be a dead end, but there's a hidden item that you can discover that turns the entire structure upside down (a like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night). It's possible to explore the reversed version of this area to find even more secrets.
Another intriguing aspect of this Elden Ring map is that its map contains numerous subtle symbols that are easy to miss. They are drawn on the map themselves and cannot be interacted with like an ordinary Site of Grace icon. Instead, they simply indicate that something is in the specific area, without revealing what it is. We realized this when we searched the map to find any other little symbol we missed, which made it fun to go back and explore older regions on the maps. However, not every secret has a symbol that corresponds with them, so you can't solely rely on them to buy Elden Ring Runes discover everything within the game.
