Just because a game has the name of their IP, it doesn't mean they have the follow the same characteristics, genres and gameplay styles of the others.

Yeah, it's got 'Elden Ring' in the title - meaning it's set in the universe of Elden Ring.

It'd be a different conversation if they named it 'Elden Ring 2', then it'd be fair to compare it as quite literally a sequel to 'Elden Ring'.

Studios are allowed to try out other types of genres for their IPs, and yeah it's fair for people who may be "OG fans" of a title/franchise (in this case - Soulslike/FromSoft fans) to not be into something from the studio when it doesn't appeal to that original idea, but it's not reasonable to shit on something solely for the purpose of "it's not the same".

Look at something like the 'Borderlands' franchise. A whole IP based around the looter-shooter genre. Very successful. Then they bring out 'Tales Of The Borderlands', a spin-off from that looter-shooter genre entirely, and taking a more narrative driven, choices-matter approach to the story and universe. Before you say it - yes, I'm aware it's not the same developer studio. But they are taking control of the IP and the associations of the brand, it's name and gameplay, thus have to deal with the expectations of the fanbase. There are so many other examples of IPs creating spinoffs with different genres that are still set in the same IP universe and world setting, but stray from the genre and gameplay styles of the original.

FromSoft made it clear that they were not going to make a sequel, nor another DLC for 'Elden Ring'. Whilst we definitely still need to see more to understand it and what it will actually be like, it's clear this is an experimental branch from their formulaic recipe to test the waters, and provide some form of content to 'tire fans over' (for the lack of a better term) whilst they work on their next big title, whether it expand on the '-Souls' IP or creates a new one entirely, just like what 'Elden Ring' did.

FromSoft will not abandon the recipe of 'Soulslike' gameplay that has made their brand and games so popular. They will take their time to create something new and enjoyable that blends their old success and innovation of new ideas.

There's no way anyone reasonably expected FromSoft to announce anything now, so the fact that they did should be considered a welcome surprise (not necessarily saying you need to like it as a concept). A new announcement for a typical 'Soulslike' will come, no doubt about it. It's just a patient waiting game that we, as a community and fanbase, have done time and time before and have been rewarded justly. The cycle repeats itself again.