From Roderika to Patches, Elden Ring is getting its own ‘what if’ that’ll give us what we really want for hidetaka Miyazaki’s best soulsborne NPCs

Maybe this time certain characters will get the attention they truly deserve.

Prior to the arrival of Elden Ring: Shadow of The Erdtree, it’s only natural to wonder how would things turn out in the Lands Between, if there were an alternate universe. Better yet, if there was some way we could see an illustration of these characters belonging to FromSoftware’s carefully detailed world, within a set of different consequences.

As it turns out, the upcoming manga, Elden Ring: Stories from a Distant Land Between plans on doing exactly that. It’s a series of stories about the characters that find themselves in the midst of everything that’s going on in the Lands Between.

The Manga Is a Retelling of Tales Set in Elden Ring

This isn’t the first time we’re getting an insight into the retelling of Elden Ring’s many stories, or the kind of impact it has had on players outside the screen. The upcoming manga will make its presence known on 4 July, 2024 on Comic Hu Web. It represents the Lands Between and its characters in a slightly non-serious tone.

While this may not play close to how dark and grim most of the stories in Elden Ring appear to be, it’s still an interesting answer to the curious questions fans may have about the characters that play little to big role in aiding (or betraying) the Tarnished

The manga’s first look shows characters like Patches and Roderika from the game. While some of these characters may not even know about each others’ existence within the game’s context, there’s a chance that the manga will let their paths cross and give readers new stories to dive into.

It’s yet to be known whether or not these stories will have anything to do with Elden Ring’s original story about the demigods and the consequences of a war that quite literally broke the peace in these lands. A fan’s retelling of the same is always interesting to read and talk about.

Elden Ring’s NPC Now Serve a Larger Purpose

Usually, NPCs in Elden Ring have different ways of contributing to the player’s journey. Some help them fight daunting bosses. Others give valuable information about the world. Others exist without giving away their true intentions. Regardless of the reason behind their existence, they almost always add depth to the game’s world and narrative.

Keeping this aside, the upcoming manga is likely going to reshuffle the serious tones and focus on all the “what ifs” that come to mind when we meet these characters for the first time. Maybe this time around, instead of death and immortality, the stories can focus on the everyday tales and struggles of those residing in the Lands Between.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming manga? Do you it’ll be worth reading the stories of NPCs in the Lands Between? Let us know in the comments below.