Game Rant recently sat down with the lead designer of theGarden of Eyesoverhaul mod forElden Ringto discuss the ongoing project. The mod includes a number of reworks and additions to new and existing weapons andarmor sets inElden Ring, many of which are borrowed from older FromSoft titles - chief among them beingBloodborne.The team has deep roots inBloodborne, having started making modded videos for the game and even naming itself after one ofBloodborne’s enemies. In fact, The Garden of Eyes also recently made aBloodbornemod for theLies of Pdemo. The mod team’s love for the game is also reflected in theElden Ringproject, with features like Trick Weapons and even gun-parrying mechanics.RELATED:Comparing Bloodborne’s Lore to Elden Ring’s
The Garden of Eyes Mod Seeks to Capture the Magic of Bloodborne, But With a Fresh Take
While not the only FromSoft title to get some love in the Garden of Eyes project,Bloodborneclearly 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 wanteither 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.Bloodborneis known for its Victorian, Gothic, and Lovecraftian aesthetic, which rings through in this mod too. But gameplay-wise, there are a few things that makeBloodbornestand 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 ofBloodborne’s signature elements, allowing for a variety of gameplay based on the kit.
The Garden of Eyes mod brings that concept toElden Ring, in the form ofports ofBloodborneweapons, reworks of existingElden Ringweapons, 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 ofElden 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, anddesign betweenBloodborneandElden Ringto make sure everything fits smoothly. Even when creating new content, the Garden of Eyes mod makes sure to “build upon thelore of the original game, but expand upon it in a way that hasn’t been done before.”
Fans can keep an eye on theGarden of Eyes YouTube channelfor regular updates and support the mod’s development onPatreonvia early access and input on design elements.
Elden Ringis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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