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Elden Ring is a massive game, leading many to wonder how FromSoftware managed to develop it in just a few years. The answer is that many aspects of the game are reused from their previous games. The core gameplay is ripped straight out of Dark Souls 3, some of the Legacy Dungeons and areas are remixes from previous areas or realizations of scrapped ones (such as the Mountaintop of the Giants).
There are enemies and bosses in Elden Ring that also came from previous Souls games. Fans have probably recognized some familiar faces throughout their journey in The Lands Between. Others are more subtly hidden.
10/10 Rodents Of Unusual Size
One of the staples of FromSoftware's games are giant rats. Whether it be rats that plague you in Demon's Souls or sewer-dwelling monstrosities in the Dark Souls games, they always seem to come back with a vengeance. Elden Ring is no different. You'll see these malicious rodents in many places throughout the Lands Between and often in packs.
Thankfully, they are just as easy to defeat as ever. Just be sure to strike them first so they don't get the chance to dogpile you. Use an Ash of War to take down groups at a time.
9/10 Giant Enemy Crab
Dark Souls 3 had a lot of scary enemies, but perhaps one of the most memorable was the giant crabs in the swamp. They were tanky and spewed bubbles to catch you off guard. These crabs make a return in Elden Ring as you make your way across Liurnia of the Lakes. The models themselves are ripped straight out of FromSoftware's previous game.
The crabs aren't the only crustaceans you'll be facing in Elden Ring, though. There are also giant lobsters that are much deadlier and can kill you in just a few short seconds.
8/10 Tree Avatars
There are a total of 13 tree avatars in Elden Ring. These bosses can be found guarding the Minor Erdtrees and rewarding you with more variations for your Physick. While you may not spot the origination of these bosses at first, eagle-eyed fans will notice a striking resemblance to the Asylum Demon from the original Dark Souls.
This is the first Soulsborne boss that many ever went up against, so seeing it return several times in Elden Ring is quite the callback. Thankfully, the Tree Avatars don't have any variation between their movesets, so once you learn the first one, the rest will be easy to fall.
7/10 The Dogs
Another common enemy in Soulsborne games are dogs. These decrepit hounds move quickly, lunge, and in extreme cases, can wipe out your entire health bar. You've seen these pooches before in Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. They all behave the same.
The trick to beating them is to strike first and go for more than one hit if you can manage it. Dogs typically die quickly due to a lack of health, so take advantage of it before they give you any trouble. Dogs that fight you in packs can be difficult to deal with, and they are usually accompanied by soldiers.
6/10 Imps
Imps are tiny creatures that you'll often see lurking in the numerous catacombs of Elden Ring. Due to their small size, they are often-times difficult to detect and difficult to hit. If you're not prepared, they'll easily wipe you out, leaving you to fight your way back to reclaim your runes.
However, this is not their first appearance in the Soulsborne series. Imps are a variation of the Thralls in Dark Souls 3. In that game, they were quick, wielded different weapon types, and wasted no time keeping you on your toes.
5/10 Basilisks
When you think of a basilisk, you probably think of a giant snake that can petrify you in a single gaze. In the Soulsborne series, however, basilisks are walking death. These odd-looking, frog-like creatures are some of the most annoying enemies in the series, appearing for the first time in the original Dark Souls. They spew out a poison gas that, if you stand in long enough, will instantly kill you.
In Elden Ring, it'll cause a tree to grow from your body, leading to your death. While the effect they give you varies from game to game, the end result is the same: mess with basilisks long enough and your life is over.
4/10 Black Slime
Black slimes are some of the more annoying enemies in the Soulsborne series. They don't move very quickly, but they often hide in the ceiling and drop down to make a fool out of you. They are one of the Soulsborne series' teachers. They teach you to pay attention to your surroundings, from the floor to the ceiling.
These enemies were brought into Elden Ring for much the same reason. They can also be found in poisonous areas, where they'll attempt to slow you down and chip away at your health. Either run past them or quickly dispatch them.
3/10 Silver Tears
In Nokstella, the Eternal City that can be found underneath The Lands Between, you'll find some blobs called Silver Tears. These shiny enemies will raise a spear and stab you.
While they don't look exactly the same, they are an homage to the Phalanx enemies in Demon's Souls. These baddies were also giant blobs that would lunge at you with a spear, that were eventually compiled into a boss fight. Likewise, Elden Ring has a room where numerous Silver Tears are thrown at you. Using a powerful Ash of War or spell can make short work of them.
2/10 Executioner Smough
If you've explored the Volcano region, then odds are you made it to Fort Laiedd on the western side of the area. If you go inside, you'll see a massive enemy covered from head to toe in armor and wielding a giant hammer. It's not a boss, but it is a tough encounter.
Fans of the series will notice that this enemy is almost a direct copy of the first Dark Souls' most infamous boss: Executioner Smough. Perhaps the best part is that you can farm the armor from this enemy and wear it for yourself, including the big hammer.
1/10 Patches The Hyena
If you see a bald NPC with a twisted smile, you know you're in for a classic betrayal. Patches the Hyena is a staple of the Soulsborne series, going all the way back to Demon's Souls.
In each one of his appearances, he knocks you into a pit where you must use your wits to get out and give him the smackdown. In Elden Ring, Patches is a notable boss in one of the optional caves. You can kill him or spare him, but after how he tries to toy with you, there is no shame in enacting your revenge.
