ELDEN RING review: few games can make you feel so quickly that you have found your own path, before reminding you of their rules with a knight placed in your way. Four years after its release, FromSoftware’s game retains an uncommon strength: it turns curiosity into progress. Its demands, meanwhile, have not aged.
This assessment is based on the features, platforms and prices shown on official pages as of July 31, 2026. It does not claim to replace a full playthrough conducted by the editorial team. To follow releases and updates, see our latest news and our selection of gaming articles.
Key takeaways
- Exceptional freedom, allowing you to go around an obstacle rather than simply endure it.
- Demanding, adaptable combat through weapons, Ashes of War, spells and summons.
- Monumental art direction, where every horizon invites you to keep exploring.
- An opaque narrative, fascinating for some and frustrating for others.
- Still a worthwhile purchase for anyone seeking a great single-player adventure and willing to learn.
Combat rewards adaptation
The formula is built on clear fundamentals: observe, manage your stamina, dodge at the right moment and exploit an opening. Yet ELDEN RING does not impose a single way to play. A heavy weapon, fast blade, bow, magic or stealth genuinely changes your approach. Spirit summons and online co-op also offer a solution when a duel becomes too demanding.
The downside is intentional. Some bosses impose a brutal rhythm, and mistakes cost runes. The game does not explain everything or slow down to reassure you. The Lands Between nevertheless almost always leave you another option: explore, improve your character, change your equipment, then return. This flexibility makes the difficulty feel less restrictive than it first appears.
Explore instead of following a task list
The map remains one of the game’s greatest achievements. It does not turn exploration into a route marked by an avalanche of icons. A ruin spotted in the distance, a cliff or a glow can be enough to prompt a detour. Wide-open spaces, dungeons and fortresses flow into one another without a visible break, on foot or on Torrent’s back.
This choice gives discoveries a genuine sense of excitement, but it can also leave you disoriented. Character quests remain cryptic, their steps are rarely recapped and there is no quest log. Players who like checking off every objective will have to take notes or accept that some parts of the world will slip past them.
Art direction that carries the adventure
The panoramas remain ELDEN RING’s best advertisement. The gigantic Erdtree, ruined castles, hostile swamps and underground depths create instantly recognizable locations. The visuals do not aim for pure realism, but for a dark, grotesque and sublime fantasy. The result often hits the mark.
The music becomes more restrained during exploration before swelling during major encounters. This restraint gives the environments room to breathe and helps give important bosses greater weight. For more game features, the news section is still available on the site.
An adventure in no hurry
ELDEN RING cannot be reduced to its main path. Optional areas, catacombs, optional bosses and builds can considerably extend the adventure. Its length therefore depends on your appetite for exploration, your tolerance for failure and your desire to experiment. Trying to see everything requires a far greater investment than a direct playthrough.
The base game can be purchased separately. Shadow of the Erdtree is a separate expansion, also included in certain editions. It should not be confused with the main game: it is best to check the basket contents carefully before paying.
On PC, check the requirements before buying
This ELDEN RING review cannot establish a universal performance verdict: smoothness depends on the machine, resolution and settings. Bandai Namco’s official page lists 12 GB of RAM and 60 GB of storage as the minimum PC requirements, with a 3 GB GTX 1060 or 4 GB Radeon RX 580; the recommended configuration rises notably to 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 1070 or Radeon Vega 56.
On consoles, the PlayStation page confirms availability on PS4 and PS5. Online play on PlayStation requires PS Plus and can bring together up to six players online. Before choosing the PC version, check the full requirements on the official Bandai Namco page and compare them with your setup.
Price and platforms: check which edition you are choosing
ELDEN RING is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. As of July 31, 2026, the French PlayStation Store lists the standard edition at €59.99, the edition including Shadow of the Erdtree at €79.99 and the DLC alone at €39.99. Promotions change: the official PlayStation page remains the reference for this price in France.
To discover the Lands Between, the base game is the most sensible choice. The expansion makes more sense once you are sure you enjoy its demands. On PC, the Steam page can also be used to check the current edition and availability.
ELDEN RING review verdict: Is it still worth it?
Yes, clearly, if you are looking for a vast action RPG that lets you build your own solution. The game remains a benchmark for the scale of its world, the precision of its encounters and its ability to turn an unexpected discovery into a lasting memory. It trusts the player, sometimes to the point of stubbornness.
Wait or skip it if you need an explicit story, clearly marked quests or a difficulty that can always be adjusted. ELDEN RING is not trying to become comfortable. That is its limitation, but also an essential part of its identity. For fans of demanding fantasy, the base game remains a solid purchase; the expansion should come afterward, not before.
Frequently asked questions
Is ELDEN RING still playable today?
Yes. It is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The Steam page and the platforms’ official pages can be used to check the available offering.
Should you buy Shadow of the Erdtree with the base game?
No. The expansion is sold separately, and some editions bundle it with the game. Starting with the base game is the safest choice for a new player.
How many players can play online on PlayStation?
The PlayStation listing states that up to six players can play online, with PS Plus required for online play on PS4 and PS5.
Is ELDEN RING suitable for newcomers to Souls games?
Yes, provided you are willing to learn. Its open world lets you explore elsewhere, improve your character or call on allies when a fight blocks your progress.
Verified sources
These links can be used to verify the key information used in this article.
- store.steampowered.com: Steam — official ELDEN RING listing confirming its PC availability and presenting its official visuals; page accessed on 2026-07-31.
- en.bandainamcoent.eu: Bandai Namco Entertainment — official page detailing the universe, combat approaches, multiplayer and PC requirements; page accessed on 2026-07-31.
- playstation.com: PlayStation France — official listing confirming the 2022-02-25 release, PS4/PS5 platforms, online play and displayed French prices; page accessed on 2026-07-31.
- youtube.com: BANDAI NAMCO Europe — official gameplay trailer published on 2021-06-10; used to provide information for the game’s evergreen listing.
