Elden Ring
Overview of Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, released on 25 February 2022. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, who is the mind behind Dark Souls and Bloodborne, and set in a world built with lore from author George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring took everything FromSoftware had perfected over a decade and threw it into a vast, seamless open world. The result was one of the most acclaimed games ever made, sweeping Game of the Year awards across the board in 2022.
You play as a Tarnished, an exile summoned back to the Lands Between and tasked with collecting the shards of the shattered Elden Ring and becoming Elden Lord. What sounds like a simple premise unfolds into a deep, layered mythology that rewards exploration and curiosity at every turn.
Elden Ring in 2026
Elden Ring remains one of the most actively played RPGs years after its release and 2026 has given fans fresh reasons to return. FromSoftware confirmed new DLC arriving on all platforms in 2026 as part of the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition package, which includes new armour sets, weapons, and Torrent customisation skins. This marks the first new content since the massive Shadow of the Erdtree expansion released in June 2024. On top of that, an Elden Ring feature film is in development, being produced by Bandai Namco and A24, with Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Ex Machina) attached to write and direct, and George R.R. Martin serving as producer. Whether you’re a returning veteran or jumping in for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to explore the Lands Between.
How to Play Elden Ring
Elden Ring is available on the following platforms:
| Platform | Version Available |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Base game + Shadow of the Erdtree |
| PlayStation 4 / PS5 | Base game + Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S | Base game + Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Tarnished Edition (coming 2026) |
The recommended starting point for new players is the base game on PC or PS5. The PS5 and PC versions run at 60fps and offer the most polished experience. If you own the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC can be purchased separately, it is unmissable if you enjoy the base game.
What Makes Elden Ring Different to other RPGs?
Elden Ring sits in the “Soulslike” genre pioneered by FromSoftware, but it’s not like anything that came before it. Here’s what sets it apart:
Open world, your way. Unlike most open-world games that guide you by the hand, Elden Ring drops you into the Lands Between and lets you go anywhere. You set your own path, discover your own secrets, and tackle challenges in whatever order suits your build and playstyle.
Deep, rewarding combat. Every encounter demands attention. You can’t simply button-mash your way through, success comes from learning enemy patterns, managing stamina, and building a character that matches how you want to play.
Enormous build variety. Want to be a mage lobbing rocks from a distance? A tank soaking up hits in heavy armour? A stealthy dagger assassin? Elden Ring supports every playstyle, and the depth of the build system keeps experienced players experimenting for hundreds of hours.
Environmental storytelling. Elden Ring barely tells you its story directly. Instead, it hides lore in item descriptions, NPC dialogue, and the world itself. Piecing it together is half the experience and a huge part of why the community remains so active years later.
Elden Ring vs Shadow of the Erdtree: What’s the Difference?
| Base Game | Shadow of the Erdtree DLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Massive open world across 6+ major regions | An entirely new region — the Land of Shadow |
| Length | 60–100+ hours | 20–40 hours |
| Bosses | 100+ boss encounters | New bosses including fan-favourite Messmer |
| Difficulty | Challenging | Harder than the base game |
| Required? | Yes — play first | Recommended after completing most of the base game |
Elden Ring has a reputation for difficulty, but it’s more approachable than its Soulslike predecessors. The open-world structure means if you hit a wall with one boss, you can simply explore elsewhere, level up, and come back stronger. Most players who give it patience find the difficulty fair and deeply satisfying. If you’ve never played a FromSoftware game before, Elden Ring is actually a great starting point as it gives you more freedom to learn at your own pace than Dark Souls or Bloodborne.
The main story of Elden Ring takes most players around 60–80 hours to complete. If you explore thoroughly and tackle optional content, 100+ hours is common. A full completionist playthrough, including all endings, side quests, and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, can easily push past 150 hours. New Game+ adds further replayability with tougher enemies and the ability to carry your build into a fresh run.
Shadow of the Erdtree is widely considered one of the greatest DLC expansions ever made. It introduces an entirely new region roughly the size of a large base-game area, packed with new bosses, weapons, lore, and some of the most challenging encounters in the game. It’s not required, but if you enjoy the base game, it’s essential. Note that to access the DLC you need to have defeated Starscourge Radahn and found Miquella’s Cocoon in Mohg’s arena.
The Vagabond is the most commonly recommended starting class for new players. It starts with solid armour and a reliable sword-and-shield setup that makes the early game more forgiving. The Wretch (the “naked” starting class) is for experienced players looking for a blank slate. If you’re interested in magic, the Astrologer gives you a strong ranged toolkit from the start.
FromSoftware has not officially confirmed an Elden Ring 2. The studio released Elden Ring Nightreign in 2025, which is a standalone co-op spin-off set in the same world. Most industry observers expect a sequel to be announced eventually, but there is no confirmed timeline as of 2026. FromSoftware’s next confirmed release is The Duskbloods, an exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2.
Is Elden Ring Worth Playing in 2026?
Absolutely. Elden Ring is one of the best games ever made – not just in the RPG genre, but in gaming overall. If you’ve been on the fence, the arrival of new DLC content in 2026, a still-thriving community, and a price that’s dropped since launch all make this the ideal time to jump in.
New players get one of the greatest open worlds ever designed. Returning veterans have new content to explore and a challenge run community that keeps the game alive indefinitely. Whichever category you fall into, the Lands Between has something for you.