Since its release,Elden Ring has captivated players worldwide with its sprawling landscapes, enigmatic lore, and punishing difficulty. Developed by FromSoftware, the creators ofDark Souls,Bloodborne, andSekiro,Elden Ring has established itself as a monument to the action RPG genre. Its dense, interconnected world and brutal difficulty spikes force players to navigate the world with precision, creativity, and persistence. For many,Elden Ring is not just a game, but a test of will—a challenge that demands mastery of its systems, an exploration of Elden Ring Runes its deep lore, and, at times, an endurance of frustration. It’s a game that punishes hesitation, rewards calculated aggression, and thrives on the theme of trial and error.

At the heart ofElden Ring lies its combat system—fast-paced, unforgiving, and brutally difficult. Players are thrust into a world filled with massive bosses, deadly enemies, and treacherous environments. Every encounter is a lesson, every death a chance to learn. In true FromSoftware fashion, each victory feels hard-earned, and every mistake is met with a harsh penalty.

But beyond the core combat lies something deeper—the game’s intricate world-building and storytelling.Elden Ring introduces players to The Lands Between, a vast, open world filled with mystery, danger, and a haunting beauty. Created in collaboration with famed fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin, the game’s lore is as deep as it is elusive, with many of the finer details hidden within item descriptions, NPC dialogue, and environmental storytelling. This adds an air of mystery toElden Ring, leaving much of its world open to player interpretation and speculation.

The Difficulty Debate: When is Too Hard, Too Hard?

WhileElden Ring has been universally praised for its design, one aspect of the game has sparked debate among gamers: its difficulty. For some, the difficulty is the core of the experience, providing players with a sense of accomplishment as they overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. For others, the difficulty can feel oppressive, leading to frustration and, in some cases, rage-quitting.

Nowhere is this debate more evident than with the introduction of some of the game's most brutal bosses, such as Melania, Blade of Miquella, and the newly introduced boss inElden Ring’s DLC,Promised Consort Radon. Described by many as one of the hardest bosses FromSoftware has ever created, Radon has become the focal point of this difficulty discussion.

Promised Consort Radon is a towering, lightning-fast monstrosity with a vast array of devastating attacks. His health pool is enormous, his damage output is astronomical, and his combos seem never-ending, with some lasting so long that players joke they take "three to five business days" to finish. To make matters worse, his hitboxes are notoriously large, meaning even well-timed dodges can often lead to frustrating deaths. Radon's second phase, if anything, is even more brutal. Here, he becomes even faster, more aggressive, and adds screen-wiping abilities to his already overpowered move set. The result? A boss fight that many consider borderline unfair.

For some players, this level of difficulty crosses the line from challenging to frustrating. After all, Radon's attacks hit so hard that even a max-level character with the best gear can be killed in just two or three hits. This has led to a wave of complaints, with some players accusing FromSoftware of designing a boss fight that feels cheap and unbalanced. But for others, the challenge of Radon is what makes the fight so exhilarating. The feeling of finally beating him, after countless deaths, is the ultimate reward, a testament to skill, perseverance, and maybe a little bit of luck.

A Goldfish Takes on Elden Ring’s Hardest Boss

In an unexpected twist, the gaming community has recently witnessed one of the most unorthodox attempts to conquerElden Ring's toughest challenges—by a goldfish. StreamerPointCrow took inspiration from the viral moments when creators such as Michael Reeves and Mutekimaru allowed their goldfish to control various games, includingPokemon Scarlet and Violet and even the stock market. Now, PointCrow’s goldfish, Talini, was tasked with an even more daunting mission: taking onElden Ring's hardest boss.

To make this experiment possible, PointCrow and his collaborator @AtSign devised a system that tracked Talini’s movements within his tank and mapped them to inputs on a controller. By swimming into designated sections of the tank, Talini could “control” the game, moving his character, attacking, and even healing—all through random chance.

And thus, the most improbable of warriors was born.

What followed was a bizarre yet captivating series of streams in which Talini the goldfish took on some of the most difficult bosses in the game. From Margit, the Fell Omen, to Godrick the Grafted, Talini managed to triumph against odds, even defeating the infamous Malenia, Blade of Miquella, a feat many seasoned players haven’t achieved.

But the ultimate test came in the form of Promised Consort Radon. Armed with the best gear and max-level stats, Talini, through random inputs and sheer persistence, faced off against one of gaming’s most nightmarish bosses. With the help of PointCrow’s expert preparation, equipping Talini’s character with high-damage weapons, heavy armor, and healing abilities, the little fish put up an incredible fight.

Despite the chaotic nature of Talini's movements, he managed to make significant progress during the fight. He dodged (accidentally), landed some key hits, and even healed at crucial moments. After numerous attempts, Talini reached Radon’s second phase, shocking viewers and inspiring memes about the improbable prowess of this aquatic champion.

Ultimately, Talini did the impossible. With some luck, random button presses, and the unrelenting spirit of a goldfish, he defeated Radon. The victory was a surreal moment, celebrated not just by PointCrow and his community, but by a wider audience amazed by the absurdity of it all. What was once an experiment in absurdity had turned into a viral sensation. The legend of Talini was born, and with it, a goldfish became one of the most famous gamers in the world.

WhyElden Ring Thrives on Challenges

The allure ofElden Ring lies in its ability to push players beyond their limits, forcing them to adapt, learn, and ultimately overcome. While the difficulty may be daunting, it's also what makes every victory feel so satisfying. Whether you're a seasoned player looking for your next challenge or a goldfish with a penchant for swimming into boss fights,Elden Ring provides an experience that few other games can match.

The game's punishing bosses, intricate world, and complex systems create a perfect storm of frustration and triumph. And for those who are willing to endure, the rewards are rich—both in-game and in the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering some of the hardest challenges modern gaming has to offer.

As for Talini? He may have started as a joke, but his victory over one of the hardest bosses inElden Ring serves as a reminder that in this world, anything is possible—even for  cheap Elden Ring Items a $6 goldfish from a pet store.