The Burger King may be the last character that anyone expected to show up in Elden Ring, but one of the game's enemies wears a mask that bears a striking resemblance to the fast-food icon which, when worn by the Tarnished, essentially turns gameplay into a new version of Sneak King. Although not an exact replica of the BK mascot's mask, the helmet's expressionless features are nearly as terrifying. It is this accidental doppelganger that provides one of the most whimsical elements of the new game.
The fact that most of Elden Ring is serious in nature with little humor makes this resemblance even funnier. Although there are some instances such as the Tibia Mariner, a horn-playing skeleton reminiscent of the Doom Doot meme, the game takes itself quite seriously. The King's lookalikes are not a part of the main story, but the player will be required to meet them if they are on the path towards a specific ending. As a result, the player is taken through one of the game's most unintentionally amusing segments.
The Raya Lucaria Academy is a school for sorcerers that the player will through during their journey in Elden Ring. One of the basic enemies in the area is the Raya Lucaria Sorcerer, who all live in the Academy in order to master the art of sorcery. By chance, their robes and masks give them an astonishing resemblance to the Burger King. As a result, fighting through the Academy feels like battling an army of King clones, so even those who harbor a dislike the Burger King can amuse themselves. Players need to find Elden Ring's Glintstone Key first in order to access the Academy, which involves defeating one of the many fearsome dragons who reside across the Lands Between.
Elden Ring's Karolos Crown Turns Tarnished Into The Burger King
As if that wasn't enough, the player can collect a Karolos Glintstone Crown on the Academy grounds in order to cosplay as the Burger King themselves. This is where the resemblance can go from being amusing to outright hilarious, as the mask will look like the King no matter what the rest of the player's outfit is. The player can make a knightly King, a sorcerer King, or make a true Sneak King sequel and create a thief or assassin King. Elden Ring's armor drops are infrequent though, so getting one's desired outfit may take some time. In addition, because the Karolos Glintstone Crown does carry a stamina penalty, players should be aware that it will make the game a little more challenging if fighting enemies at closer distances.
The inherent ridiculousness of the Karolos Crown can create a wide variety of opportunities for players with a sense of humor. They could roleplay as the Burger King as he goes on a quest to bring the Whopper to the Lands Between. Even if a player doesn't come up with their own plot, they can still enjoy watching their character chop through legions of twisted enemies while wearing an approximation of the King's famous unchanging expression. It's an exercise that provides plenty of levity in contrast to the frequent darkness of the game. The entertainment potential of these King cosplays is yet another reason why Elden Ring needs a photo mode, so players can take their BK-inspired look to new cinematic heights.
The Karolos Crown's resemblance to the Burger King was almost certainly an accident, but a very happy one. Elden Ring has been rightfully praised for its strong gameplay and story, but almost every game is helped by a few elements that are just for fun. As an unexpectedly fun piece of costuming, the Karolos Crown is most definitely a welcome feature in the game.
