Elden Ring’s sword fields vs. Berserk’s Hill of Swords

Let’s get the most obvious Berserk homage out of the way first.

Elden Ring’s massive world includes several areas that I’ve dubbed “sword fields.” I’ll admit, the name isn’t all that creative: They’re literally just small fields covered in swords, all of which have been stabbed blade-first into the ground so as to stand upright. In the middle of each is a much larger sword with an inscription that generally provides some vague piece of information about the game’s lore.

The first time I saw one of these sword fields, it immediately reminded me of Berserk’s iconic Hill of Swords. In the manga and anime, the Hill of Swords is meant as a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary force that serves as the series’ main characters for much of its early run. Rickert, one of the army’s few surviving members, forges the countless blades of the Hill of Swords as tribute to his former compatriots.

It’s my personal belief that Elden Ring’s sword fields serve the same purpose. I like to think they’re meant to honor Miura, whose passing greatly affected those familiar with his work. Whether they were added to Elden Ring before or after his death, we’ll probably never know, but it’s a fitting tribute to the man who influenced so many of the game’s predecessors.