Elden Ring
2022 · FromSoftware · 55h to beat · our rating 96
Has it aged?Why ↓
The first big-budget game in years with the nerve to let you be properly lost. No quest marker, no hand on your back — just a horizon and the strong suspicion that something over there will kill you.
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
The publisher’s description, from its Steam store page.
What it looks like
the trailer, then the store's own shots
The verdict
An open world that finally justifies the format, because everything on the horizon is genuinely worth walking to. It is difficult, but far more forgiving than FromSoftware's earlier games: if a boss stops you, you can simply leave and come back stronger. That single change is what makes it the one to start with.
96our score
Play it if
Anyone curious about Souls games who has been put off by the difficulty, and anyone who wants a world that rewards wandering rather than checklist-clearing.
Skip it if
Anyone short on time — this is a hundred-hour game — or anyone who wants clear direction. Quest lines are cryptic and easy to lose permanently.
Common questions
- Is Elden Ring a good first Souls game?
- It is the best one to start with. The open world means any wall you hit is optional: you can go elsewhere, get stronger, and return.
- How long does Elden Ring take?
- Roughly fifty-five hours to see the credits, and well over a hundred if you explore properly. Most people do the latter.
- Do I need Shadow of the Erdtree?
- Not initially. It is excellent, but it is late-game content and expects a well-developed character.
What everyone else said
we link, we don't reprint- Eurogamer5/5
Grandiose, mysterious, but now a touch more welcoming, Elden Ring tweaks the FromSoft formula to open up its world.
Aoife Wilson
- Rock Paper Shotgun
Elden Ring is an action-RPG with an open world that's not only incredibly rich, but pushes you to succeed in so many brilliant ways.
Ed Thorn
Has it aged?
How does it hold up today? Based on recent reviews, how opinions have changed since launch, player activity and updates.
% positive each month, last 4 years.
Reviews via Steam ↗Peak: 522k in Mar 2022.
Player counts via SteamCharts ↗Better liked than at launch.
Updated within the last year, so still looked after.