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There's an emerging trend of what could be called "souls-lite" games and Elderand is among them. While still having a similar level of difficulty and mechanics, souls-lite games are more lenient. In Elderand, checkpoints can be easy to find with paths that allow a good amount of space to get around enemies and avoid damage.
However, it is still a challenge; enemies can kill you in milliseconds if you get overconfident. Bosses can take up a lot of space in an already cramped arena making them even more dangerous. It may feel strange when you first enter the world of Elderand, so keep a few tips in mind to ground yourself.
Carefully Test Each Weapon's AoE
Like with other souls-like titles, a key part to getting through them is finding a weapon that feels comfortable to use. Whether it's a slow heavy-hitter or a light speed-hitter, each one can be worked into a reliable play style. With Elderand, the 2D plane limits how much you have to worry about, allowing you to focus on what's in front, behind, and above you.
However, each weapon has a very distinct reach that is a bit shorter than it looks. Because of this, test out each one on fodder enemies, so you have a clear idea of each weapon's striking point.
Conserve Ammo
Many souls-like bosses have been cheesed by firing arrows and spells from a safe distance at the cost of time. The problem is that when you're forced into an arena, projectiles become a much riskier venture. This isn't also the case with Elderand since it has Metroidvania qualities and so projectiles can be quite handy.
In addition to arrows and magic spells, you also have throwables with their own damage and arcs. You'll gather quite a lot of them quickly, but you'll also find yourself burning through them just as fast. Conserve them for long corridors and particularly troublesome bosses.
Never Rush A New Enemy
If you're unfamiliar with souls-like titles, there's one very simple rule you should follow: Take everything one step at a time. The hostile environment may encourage you not to linger, but caution proves much more effective in the long run. In Elderand, the screen is generous enough to give you plenty of space to see upcoming threats from all angles.
Still, this doesn't mean you're safe since multiple enemies can be triggered at once. The window of invulnerability is short, so you can get piled on quickly if you don't approach enemies carefully.
Don't Be Stubborn
There's always someone who picks the exact same kind of weapon no matter what the game or scenario. This is understandable because you want to go with what makes sense, and in soulslike games, it's even more so. You'll find a variety of weapons in Elderand early on and likely stick with one of them.
This isn't the best for this game because some enemies, and especially bosses, behave in ways meant to counter certain weapons. Fill all your open slots with a range of them so that you can cover your bases and not waste time trying to slay the bad guy in an impractical way.
Commit To A Build
The classic RPG structure allows your character to get stronger by slaying enemies and gaining EXP, but it has been modernized so that you can choose where your points go. In Elderand you have four main slots which handle strength, movement, range, and magic respectively.
Since there are only four, it would make sense to make a balanced character so that you can handle any situation, right? Wrong. This is the classic trap of spreading yourself way too thin. Yes, Elderand has four stats which means that each point you gain is just that much more valuable. Commit to two at most with one as secondary to make the most of your EXP.
Practice Hit-And-Run Tactics
If there's one thing that souls-like games will hammer into you, it's the idea of trying to take as little damage as possible. While Elderand does offer ways to evade and stay mobile, it's not as dynamic as its 3D peers. As a result, you'll need to use the Dash ability tactfully while heavily considering having a shield in rotation so that you can Block.
No matter what you decide, you should get good at charging into fights to hit and then withdrawing just as quickly. It's a safe tactic that will allow getting a better feel for the game's challenge so that you can build confidence to try riskier by more aggressive tactics.