Game Rant recently sat down with the lead designer of the Garden of Eyes overhaul mod for Elden Ring to discuss the ongoing project. The mod includes a number of reworks and additions to new and existing weapons and armor sets in Elden Ring, many of which are borrowed from older FromSoft titles - chief among them being Bloodborne.
The team has deep roots in Bloodborne, having started making modded videos for the game and even naming itself after one of Bloodborne's enemies. In fact, The Garden of Eyes also recently made a Bloodborne mod for the Lies of P demo. The mod team's love for the game is also reflected in the Elden Ring project, with features like Trick Weapons and even gun-parrying mechanics.
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While not the only FromSoft title to get some love in the Garden of Eyes project, Bloodborne clearly holds a special place in the hearts of the developers. When asked about the inclusion of so many elements from the game, the lead designer said,
"People are crazy about Bloodborne. Every gaming event that happens, people want either a Bloodborne remake or Bloodborne 2. There's a special place for Bloodborne in the hearts of all soulslike fans. So we wanted to bring some of those elements to Elden Ring in a way that will sort of add to the gameplay and add more variety to it."
Of course, there are a few elements in doing just that. Bloodborne is known for its Victorian, Gothic, and Lovecraftian aesthetic, which rings through in this mod too. But gameplay-wise, there are a few things that make Bloodborne stand out from other Soulslike games. It is the most aggressive in FromSoft's catalog, but Trick Weapons and gun-parrying are both keenly associated with the title. The latter two add a certain build variety that easily makes Trick Weapons one of Bloodborne's signature elements, allowing for a variety of gameplay based on the kit.
The Garden of Eyes mod brings that concept to Elden Ring, in the form of ports of Bloodborne weapons, reworks of existing Elden Ring weapons, and even brand-new weapons original to the mod. The combination thereof shows how extensive this overhaul mod is, helping establish its reputation in the community, and there's little doubt how exciting the prospect of Elden Ring-themed Trick Weapons is.
"We created Trick Weapons that are themed around Elden Ring. We like the concept of having two weapons in one because it provides a unique opportunity for variety and creativity. For instance, one of the weapons we have is a dagger that transforms into a pickaxe. We also made a greatsword that transforms into two katanas that you can separate. It allows for a lot more variety in terms of the move sets, and new opportunities for creative design and build diversity."
The developer emphasized that these additions are transformative and not mere imitations of what came before. The team takes special care to bridge the differences in tone, lore, and design between Bloodborne and Elden Ring to make sure everything fits smoothly. Even when creating new content, the Garden of Eyes mod makes sure to "build upon the lore of the original game, but expand upon it in a way that hasn't been done before."
Fans can keep an eye on the Garden of Eyes YouTube channel for regular updates and support the mod's development on Patreon via early access and input on design elements.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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