ELDEN RING is FromSoftware's open-world action role-playing game, set in the Lands Between with a world and mythology written with George R. R. Martin.
It takes the studio's established combat — deliberate, stamina-governed, punishing of impatience — and places it in a large open world you can cross in almost any order. There are no quest markers and very little direction; you find a ruin, a catacomb or a boss because you saw something on the horizon and went to look. Much of the game's reputation rests on how well that exploration rewards curiosity.
Builds are broad. Strength, dexterity, faith, intelligence and arcane all support viable playstyles, from a greatshield and halberd to pure sorcery, and weapons carry interchangeable Ashes of War that change their moveset. A player struggling with one approach can usually respec into another.
Bosses are the structure the game hangs on, from optional field encounters to the legacy dungeon set pieces. Summoning Spirit Ashes or other players for help is built in, as is being invaded by them.
Paid on Windows, with a substantial expansion available separately. It is genuinely difficult, and the open world is what makes that difficulty manageable — you can almost always leave and come back stronger.
FromSoftware, the studio behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro, developed ELDEN RING, published by Bandai Namco, with worldbuilding by George R. R. Martin.
