Two weeks into the game's release, players are still unable to find a pause function in "Elden Ring." While this no-pause policy has been a challenge to some gamers, it also works as a burden for some.
Fortunately, a Twitter user found a work-around and shared his findings on the unofficial pause function, as verified by VGC.
"Elden Ring" Unofficial Pause Function
It will be wrong to call it a pause button because it does not work like one.
There will be four steps the player has to do before the game can be paused:
- Press "start" or hit the "esc" key
- Head into any menu at the left side of the screen like "Status," "Messages," or "Inventory
- Press the back button to show some other options
- Finally, click on "Menu Explanation"
This breakthrough has been tweeted by Iron Pineapple.
guess what, Elden Ring DOES have a pause button
— Iron Pineapple (@IronPineapple_) March 8, 2022
just open "Menu Explanation" while on the inventory screen
this isn't a meme, it actually works lmao pic.twitter.com/0tNLFaWwC7
This looks more like a game manipulation than an actual function intended by developers, but it's the best option as of the moment without installing mods.
Then again, judging by this newly discovered pause function, players will be better off utilizing mods. One great pausing mod can be found on Nexus Mods. This makes the gameplay easier for even just a bit.
The mod simply requires the player to press "P" to be able to pause the game. It's pretty safe to assume that players would rather download a free mod than to use the four-step game manipulation.
Why the Lack of a Pause Button?
But why can't players pause the game? After all, it's largely played offline where no other player can be disadvantaged by "tactical" pauses.
Weird. Baffling. Head scratching.
But as it turns out, the decision not to include a pause button has been made long ago. Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG) historically hates allowing their players to pause the game. This has been the same with other games in the "Souls" franchise.
Why though?
No official explanation has been made, but some Twitter users point to immersion as the best reason why the developers choose to do away with the pause button. Because let's face it, pausing a game does bail a player out and make the game easier.
Part of what the fanbase likes about this game is that you have to find ways around problems. It's an entire game of doing things wrong, learning what you can do differently to achieve your goal and then executing it. I use the disguise item to turn into a bush lol. Works for me. pic.twitter.com/bpDblnybv4
— 🐷PI66I3🐷 (@PI66I3) March 8, 2022
Like any "Souls" game, it would seem that "Elden Ring" is catered towards the hardcore players rather than the casuals. Easy just isn't in their vocabulary.
