From the developers at FromSoftware, known for creating challenging yet rewarding games like the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne, Elden Ring offers an unforgettable experience. Released on February 25, 2022, the game has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide with its mesmerizing open-world design, punishing combat mechanics, and rich narrative depth. For a beginner, even with only a few hours of gameplay, Elden Ring promises an immersive experience that constantly beckons players back to its perilous landscapes. The recent DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, adds another layer of complexity and intrigue to the Lands Between, expanding an already vast universe.
Set in the Lands Between, a realm crafted with artistic brilliance and teeming with both beauty and danger, the landscape is as much a character as the beings that inhabit it. Unlike many open-world RPGs, Elden Ring doesn’t hold your hand; instead, it trusts you to explore at your own pace. You can choose to engage with monstrous foes lurking in the shadows or simply soak in the serene yet haunting vistas.
The game’s world is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing environment filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re battling ferocious enemies or stumbling upon hidden treasures, every corner of the Lands Between offers something new to discover.
The beauty of Elden Ring lies in its demanding combat mechanics. The initial hours can be daunting as you face off against formidable enemies with a variety of attack patterns and strategies. The game teaches you the art of patience, timing, and precision, rewarding those who learn its intricacies. As a player, you’ll experience the adrenaline rush of narrowly dodging an enemy’s attack, followed by the satisfaction of landing a critical hit.
The game’s combat is a complex interplay of melee, magic, and ranged tactics. Success depends on understanding each enemy’s unique behavior, mastering dodges and parries, and knowing when to unleash your devastating abilities. The learning curve is steep, but the sense of accomplishment is immense when you finally conquer a challenging foe.
Elden Ring offers a plethora of character customization options. Players can choose from various classes, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. This allows for diverse playstyles, from a heavily armored warrior wielding a massive sword to a nimble sorcerer casting powerful spells. The game encourages experimentation, letting you tailor your character to suit your preferred approach.
At the heart of Elden Ring is a compelling narrative driven by the player’s ambition to restore the shattered Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. This overarching quest is both a personal journey of growth and a grand saga of ambition and power. The limited cutscenes and cryptic storytelling add to the game’s enigmatic charm, allowing players to piece together the narrative through exploration and discovery.
FromSoftware’s signature style shines through in Elden Ring’s storytelling. The narrative is intricately woven into the world, with lore hidden in item descriptions, dialogues, and environmental details. Players who invest time in uncovering these stories are rewarded with a deeper understanding of the world’s history and the motivations driving its inhabitants.
The recently released Shadow of the Erdtree DLC further enriches the Elden Ring experience by introducing new regions, enemies, and lore. It expands the map with breathtaking new areas, each filled with unique challenges and stunning landscapes. This expansion also offers new bosses that require strategic combat and adaptation, and deeper insights into the game’s story.
Key Features:
- Developer and Publisher: FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Worldwide Sales: Over 20.5 million copies as of 2024
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows (PC)
- Average Playtime: Main Story: 50-70 hours. 100% Completion: 100-150 hours
- Critical Reception: Average score of 95/100 on Metacritic
- Recent DLC: Shadow of the Erdtree (Released in July 2024)
Worth playing, even somewhat serene for a battle based RPG.