Elden Ring’s Approach to Failure Earns a 6/10 From Psychologist Evaluating Games for Perfectionists

Elden Ring has received a 6/10 from a psychologist evaluating how video games can help people with perfectionist tendencies. The score may surprise fans of FromSoftware’s challenging action RPG, but the assessment is not simply about how difficult a game is. Instead, it considers whether its mechanics encourage players to accept mistakes, stop doubting their decisions, and learn from failure.

The rating comes from a video discussed by GameByte, in which the psychologist evaluates six games based on their accessibility, potential to help with perfectionism, and general playing experience. Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles receive 6/10, with the psychologist acknowledging that repeated deaths can be frustrating while arguing that they are also an important part of learning.

Why Elden Ring’s repeated deaths earned it a 6/10

The psychologist explains the reasoning behind the score with a simple observation: “Dying in these games is not fun, but it’s how you learn and get good.” This captures the central tension in FromSoftware’s design. Players are expected to face difficult enemies, recognize their mistakes, adjust their approach, and try again rather than expect immediate success.

He also shares his personal experience with the series. His first attempt at Dark Souls ended after just 20 minutes because he became frustrated. However, he eventually returned to the game and grew to love the franchise. His experience suggests that the learning process can be difficult even for players who later become fans.

For perfectionists, this approach can be particularly challenging. Someone who fears making mistakes or constantly questions their decisions may struggle with a game that expects repeated experimentation. Elden Ring does not remove that frustration, but it can encourage players to treat failure as part of making progress.

Other games were rated higher for helping perfectionists

Elden Ring was not the only challenging game included in the psychologist’s evaluation. Pentiment received the highest score at 9/10, largely because its narrative makes players live with the consequences of their decisions without necessarily revealing whether they made the right choice.

XCOM 2’s Ironman mode earned 8/10 for a different reason. Its single-save system makes character deaths permanent, preventing players from repeatedly reloading to undo an unwanted outcome. Esoteric Ebb also received 8/10 because failed dice rolls can lead to unexpected and entertaining story developments.

These examples highlight the psychologist’s central point: games can encourage players to become more comfortable with uncertainty and mistakes. However, he also warns that these experiences can become stressful, making self-care and balance important.

Elden Ring’s 6/10 score, therefore, does not mean the game is unsuitable for perfectionists. Rather, its demanding gameplay can make learning through failure uncomfortable, even when that process eventually helps players improve.