Neil Druckmann on Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Elden Ring That is Worlds Apart from The Last of Us: ‘Games that don’t hold your hand’

SUMMARY

• Druckmann reveals his fascination with the games from Hidetaka Miyazaki.
• Druckmann might experiment with the storytelling techniques used by FromSoftware for his next game.
• It would be fascinating to see what the fusion between these two distinct worlds will create.

Hidetaka Miyazaki and Neil Druckmann are worlds apart when it comes to designing a narrative structure for their games. Games from both of them are extremely different in both the story design as well as gameplay elements that make their games unique.

Druckmann is ready to experiment with more storytelling techniques. Image Credit: Naughty Dog

However, Druckmann reveals his fascination with the games made by Miyazaki and talks about how he would like to take some things out of the rulebook of FromSoftware and incorporate them into his upcoming games.

Neil Druckmann Wants A Piece of FromSoftware

Druckmann is fascinated by the nonlinear storytelling technique used in Elden Ring. Image Credit: FromSoftware

Druckmann is known for creating cinematic masterpieces, including Uncharted and The Last of Us. Both of these games are known for their cinematic story telling that relies heavily on cut scenes and dialogue exchange between two characters to move the story forward.

Whereas games from Miyazaki take a completely different approach to telling a story. His games tend to let players loose in the world and pick up the clues to formulate a unique experience. There is no linear narrative that the game forces you to follow; rather, you are absolutely free to create your own experience depending on the choices you make along the way.

However, Druckmann has revealed his fascination with the Miyazaki way of storytelling. He is interesting in trying the same approach by incorporating more detailed environmental storytelling techniques.

Speaking to the Washington Post, he reveals his fascination with the unique storytelling technique used in Elden Ring. He said:

Some of the best storytelling in The Last of Us is in the cinematics, but a lot of it is in the gameplay, moving around the space, and understanding the history of a space by just looking at it and examining it.

To me, right now, that’s some of the best joy I get out of games that trust their audience to figure things out. [Games] that don’t hold your hand, that’s the stuff I’m really intrigued by going forward.

He revealed his fascination with self sufficient storytelling techniques that enable players to pick up clues and create their own unique journey.

Could The Next Game By Naughty Dog Be Along The Same Lines As FromSoftware?

Next game from Naughty Dog is might be different in style and design. Image Credit: Sony

Naughty Dog is currently working on a mystery project apart from the alleged The Last of Us Part 3. There is a high chance that we will be seeing something unique this time around from him, especially after he seems to have been leaning towards the storytelling techniques used by FromSoftware.

It will be fascinating to see what the fusion between these two worlds will manage to create. What Naughty Dog has in store for us in the future is still a mystery.

The cinematic storytelling techniques used by Naughty Dog is bound to evolve after after Neil Druckmann reveals his fascination with the techniques used by FromSoftware. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by Anupam Lamba

Articles Published: 259

Anupam Lamba is an avid gamer and film lover. After completing his bachelors in Mass Communication he started working as a writer in the Indian film industry before his love for gaming made him venture into the lanes of Fandomwire and he started working as a gaming writer here.