ELDEN RING remains a strong purchase for players who want to explore at their own pace and learn through demanding combat. This review finds that its open world lets you leave an obstacle behind, grow stronger, and return with a better plan.
What ELDEN RING offers
- ELDEN RING was released on February 25, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
- FromSoftware developed the game; Bandai Namco Entertainment is listed as the publisher on Steam.
- The Steam page confirms single-player, online co-op and PvP.
- Ray tracing on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X can affect resolution and frame rate.
Leave a boss behind and keep moving
A boss that is too difficult does not force you to remain at the same gate. The Lands Between offer caves, dungeons, weapons and materials to discover elsewhere, creating a genuine way forward when an area proves difficult.
The game does not become easy as a result. You still need to read attacks, manage stamina and choose your equipment. Players expecting constantly explained objectives may find some quests difficult to follow.
Choose how you fight
Dodging, positioning and timing remain essential, but the system leaves room for different approaches: heavy weapons, shields, katanas, sorceries, incantations or summons. The ten starting classes shape the opening hours without permanently locking your character into one path.
The Vagabond begins with a more defensive foundation, the Samurai favours a fast weapon, and the Astrologer grants access to sorceries. These choices help you find a suitable solution instead of repeating the same attack.
Explore the Lands Between
The Lands Between alternate between plains, fortresses, catacombs and underground areas. A ruin spotted in the distance can lead to an optional fight, a weapon or a new path. Exploration rewards curiosity more than strict marker-following.
The story follows the same restrained approach. Dialogue, items and environments provide fragments. That method strengthens the atmosphere, but it also makes objectives and quest chains easy to miss.
Freedom between difficult fights
ELDEN RING builds on the foundations of demanding action RPGs: reading attacks, managing stamina and learning through failure. Its defining strength is the room it gives you between attempts. Where more linear progression can require defeating the same enemy before moving on, the Lands Between let you search for a weapon, materials or another area. The editorial team finds this freedom compelling, even though quest tracking remains a genuine limitation.
Compared with a more guided action RPG, ELDEN RING favours direction through locations and discoveries rather than constantly detailed objectives. This describes a structural difference, not a numerical measurement or a comparison with an earlier build.
For players, the result is tangible: a difficult fight can become a temporary detour. You can change your equipment, explore differently or call on co-op before trying again.
Check your PC setup
The official minimum requirements on Steam call for 12 GB of RAM and 60 GB of storage space. The recommended requirements increase this to 16 GB of RAM. These figures are useful before purchase, but they do not guarantee the same level of smoothness in every area.
Ray tracing is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X. Bandai Namco's official notes state that this option can affect frame rate and resolution. For a first playthrough, prioritising a stable image is often the better choice.
Play solo, in co-op or in PvP
ELDEN RING offers single-player, online co-op and PvP. Passwords make it easier to summon players on the same platform. Invasions and area restrictions remain part of the game's multiplayer system.
The game is available on PC via Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. On Xbox, Bandai Namco states that Smart Delivery is supported. On PlayStation, purchasing the PS4 version grants access to the PS5 upgrade according to the publisher.
Should you buy ELDEN RING today?
Yes, if you want a long action RPG that lets you set your own pace. The variety of weapons, magic and exploration makes every detour a possible way forward. Also check out our latest video game news, our gaming features and our selection of published reviews.
It is better to wait if repeated deaths, limited guidance or a camera that can sometimes be awkward against large enemies are deal-breakers. The official Steam page and the Bandai Namco page let you check platforms, features and requirements before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is ELDEN RING available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S?
Yes. The game is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.
Can you play ELDEN RING in co-op?
Yes. The game offers online summoning, passwords and PvP. Players must be on the same platform.
What PC requirements should you expect?
Steam lists 12 GB of RAM as the minimum, 16 GB recommended, and 60 GB of available storage space.
Should you enable ray tracing in ELDEN RING?
Enable it only if performance remains satisfactory. Bandai Namco specifies that this option can reduce resolution and frame rate.
Where can you check official information and updates?
The Steam page summarises features and requirements. Bandai Namco's notes detail released patches.
Verified sources
- Steam: official ELDEN RING page, including release date, developer, publishers, platforms, features and PC requirements.
- Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe: official page, including synopsis, platforms and product information.
- Patch notes 1.09: addition of ray tracing and a warning about its possible impact on performance.
- Official multiplayer guide: summoning, passwords, co-op and invasions.
To keep following the subject, also read our article on the Cyberpunk 2077 review in 2026, our article on the Between These Two review and its Steam demo and the news section.
