Elden Ring's first-person mod goes viral as players marvel at its unexpectedly realistic physics

Hotta Studio's Ananta launched April 29 with a first-person camera mode that immediately sparked debate across social media. The urban open-world RPG runs on PS5, PC, and mobile, letting players toggle between third-person and first-person perspectives at will.

Switched to first-person on the subway and the level of detail caught me off guard. The camera sways with character movement—walking, running—and the physics engine holds up under scrutiny. Different body types produce noticeably different fields of view: fuller-figured characters partially obstruct the screen, while slimmer or male characters offer unobstructed sightlines.

Controls are straightforward. On PS5, hold L and tap R3 to switch. PC users press Z. Mobile requires toggling the option in settings. The UI can be disabled entirely, which screenshot enthusiasts will appreciate.

The feature has split opinion. Some see it as a showcase of technical capability—the modeling and physics work is undeniably detailed. Others argue it's pandering, questioning why the studio invested resources into this specific functionality.

As a casual player, I care more about whether the game holds up mechanically. First-person perspective is a nice touch, but if the core loop is shallow or the systems are convoluted, realistic physics won't retain an audience. I'll give the story and combat a few days before deciding whether to stick with it.