Elden Ring is FromSoftware taking the tight, punishing combat of the Souls games and setting it loose across the Lands Between, a seamless world of crumbling castles, catacombs and open fields ruled by demigods. Progression comes through exploration rather than instruction: weapons, spells and armour combine into builds for a careful mage or a heavy-armoured warrior, and most of the world's bosses and secrets are left for the player to stumble onto unguided.
Critics placed it among the finest open worlds yet made, and it became the most awarded game of 2022, sweeping Game of the Year. The praise centres on that unguided discovery, but the sharpest friction is the same design from the other side: late-game bosses that lean on punishing damage spikes, dungeons that recycle encounters, and questlines so cryptic that players often reach for a wiki. It rewards patience and self-direction, and frustrates anyone who wants a clear path marked through its kingdom.
Overall player feedback for Elden Ring is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising its immersive world design, challenging gameplay, and replayability. However, some criticism exists regarding performance issues and certain gameplay mechanics. Despite a few negatives, the majority of reviews highlight the game's exceptional quality and recommend it highly.
Based on 105 reviews from playstation, steam
The Beginner's Guide to Elden Ring
