Elden Ring
A New Era in Fantasy Gaming
Released in February 2022, Elden Ring redefined the action-RPG genre by merging signature punishing gameplay with the mythic storytelling of George R.R. Martin. Set in the sprawling, shattered realm of the Lands Between, the game blends brutal combat, cryptic lore, and unparalleled freedom of exploration. A triumph of artistry and ambition, it has cemented itself as a modern classic.
Studio & Production: The Minds Behind the Masterpiece
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | FromSoftware (renowned for Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro) |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Director | Hidetaka Miyazaki (President of FromSoftware, visionary behind Souls series) |
| Lead Writer | George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire) contributed worldbuilding and mythos |
| Development Time | 4 years (2017–2022) |
| Budget | Estimated £80–£100 million |
| Team Size | ~300 developers, artists, and designers |
| Key Collaborators | Composer Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls III), Concept Artist Yusuke Kozaki (Fire Emblem) |
| Production Challenges | Balancing open-world scale with FromSoftware’s intricate level design; integrating Martin’s lore without overwhelming players. |
Production Timeline
| Phase | Key Milestones |
|---|---|
| Concept (2017) | Miyazaki pitches collaboration with Martin; early worldbuilding begins. |
| Pre-Production (2018) | Core mechanics prototyped; Martin drafts the “Elden Ring” mythos (e.g., demigods, Shattering). |
| Full Production (2019–2021) | Open-world design finalised; legacy dungeons (Stormveil, Raya Lucaria) crafted. |
| Polish (2021–2022) | Bug testing, performance optimisation; Miyazaki insists on retaining difficulty despite scale. |
| Post-Launch (2022–2023) | Free updates (PvP Colosseums), performance patches, and DLC (Shadow of the Erdtree) announced. |
Plot Summary: Rise, Tarnished
You are a Tarnished, an exile summoned to the Lands Between after the destruction of the Elden Ring, a cosmic force that once bound reality. With the realm fractured by warring demigods, you must reclaim the Great Runes, reforge the Ring, and ascend as Elden Lord.
Key Themes
- Ambition & Hubris: Demigods like Radahn and Malenia embody tragic flaws.
- Environmental Storytelling: Decaying castles, spectral armies, and cursed landscapes whisper untold histories.
- Choice: Multiple endings reflect alliances with factions like the Golden Order or Frenzied Flame.
Game Mechanics: Freedom and Discovery
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Open World | Six distinct regions (Limgrave, Caelid, Altus Plateau) with dynamic weather and enemy scaling. |
| Horseback Traversal | Torrent, a spectral steed, enables mounted combat and vertical exploration. |
| Crafting | 200+ craftable items (fire pots, curing boluses) using gathered herbs and minerals. |
| Multiplayer | Co-op summons, PvP invasions, and cryptic messages left by players worldwide. |
| Sites of Grace | Replace Dark Souls bonfires; enable levelling, fast travel, and NPC interactions. |
Combat Mechanics: Brutal Beauty
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Weapons & Magic | 300+ weapons, 100+ spells. Mix katanas, colossal hammers, dragon incantations, and blood magic. |
| Ashes of War | Customise weapons with skills like Bloody Slash or Hoarfrost Stomp. |
| Stamina & Poise | Manage stamina for attacks/dodges; poise determines resistance to stagger. |
| Stealth | Crouch to avoid detection; backstab criticals reward patience. |
| Boss Fights | 83 bosses, including Godrick the Grafted and Starscourge Radahn. |
Swords in Elden Ring: Fantasy Meets History
| Type | Examples | Real-World Inspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Swords | Lordsworn’s, Carian Knight’s | Medieval arming swords |
| Greatswords | Guts’ Greatsword, Starscourge | German zweihanders, flamberges |
| Katanas | Moonveil, Rivers of Blood | Japanese uchigatana (modified for bleed effects) |
| Curved Swords | Scimitar, Bandit’s Curved Sword | Middle Eastern shamshirs, Chinese dao |
| Colossal Weapons | Giant-Crusher, Fallingstar Beast Jaw | Mythic fantasy (no direct analogue) |
Platform Performance & Recommendations
| Platform | Performance |
|---|---|
| PC | Requires GTX 1070/Ryzen 5 3600 for 60 FPS at 1080p. Ray tracing supported but taxing. |
| PlayStation 5 | 4K/60 FPS (performance mode); fastest load times. |
| Xbox Series X | Comparable to PS5; slight edge in stability. |
| Last-Gen Consoles | PS4/Xbox One: 30 FPS with occasional frame drops. |
Best Experience: PS5 or Xbox Series X for seamless exploration and visual fidelity.
Critical Acclaim & Legacy
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Awards | Game of the Year (The Game Awards 2022), BAFTA Best Game. |
| Sales | 20 million+ copies sold by 2023; Bandai Namco’s fastest-selling title. |
| Industry Influence | Inspired open-world games to prioritise organic exploration over map markers. |
| Community | Lore theories, challenge runs (e.g., “no-hit”), and memes dominate Reddit/YouTube. |
Where to Buy
| Platform | Retailer/Store |
|---|---|
| Digital | Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store |
| Physical | Amazon, GAME (UK), GameStop, CeX |
Price Range: £49.99 (standard edition) to £179.99 (collector’s edition with artbook and statue).
DLC Overview: Elden Ring – Shadow of the Erdtree
Release & Pricing
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 20 June 2024 |
| Price | £32–£40 (base DLC); Premium Bundle includes artbook/soundtrack (£48) |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Access Requirements | Defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood in the base game |
Story & Setting
Set in the Land of Shadow, the DLC follows Miquella, an Empyrean who abandoned his physical form to uncover the Erdtree’s dark origins. Players traverse layered environments, from sky-suspended ruins to subterranean labyrinths, while confronting factions with conflicting loyalties to Miquella. Key themes include betrayal, forgotten wars, and the consequences of divine ambition.
New Content & Features
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bosses | Over 40 bosses, including 10 “Remembrance” tier encounters (e.g., Messmer the Impaler) |
| Weapons & Gear | 100+ weapons, 8 new types (e.g., light greatswords, beast claws, dueling shields) |
| Power Scaling | Scadutree Fragments (boost damage/resistance) and Revered Spirit Ash (empower summons) |
| Exploration | Dense, vertically layered map with legacy dungeons (e.g., Belurat, Shadow Keep) |
Critical Reception
- Strengths: Praised for its scale (25–40+ hours), challenging bosses, and art design. IGN called it “a masterclass in open-world design”.
- Criticisms: Mixed feedback on reused assets, uneven difficulty spikes, and the divisive final boss Radahn, Consort of Miquella, criticised as “a cluttered mess” with unfair mechanics.
- Sales & Impact: Sold 20 million+ copies by 2023; redefined expectations for DLC scope.
Community Response
- Build Experimentation: New weapons like the Milady light greatsword and beast claws sparked creativity, though some players reverted to meta builds (e.g., bleed) for late-game bosses.
- Difficulty Debates: While veterans welcomed the challenge, casual players struggled with mandatory boss fights like Radahn, sparking discussions about accessibility.
- Lore Speculation: Miquella’s motives and ties to St. Trina fueled extensive theories, with NPC questlines adding depth to the base game’s narrative.
Future of Elden Ring DLC
Shadow of the Erdtree is confirmed as the only expansion for Elden Ring. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki stated the team aimed to deliver a “complete experience” without fragmenting the narrative 12. However, the standalone title Elden Ring Nightreign (May 2025) offers a co-op-focused spinoff, though it is not a direct DLC.
For players seeking more, mods like “Malenia Prime” (enhanced boss fights) and community challenges (e.g., no-hit runs) continue to extend the game’s lifespan.
Where to Buy
| Platform | Link/Retailer |
|---|---|
| Steam | Store Page |
| PlayStation | PlayStation Store |
| Xbox | Xbox Store |
| Physical | Amazon, GAME (UK), CeX (£40–£180 for collector’s editions) |
Why Elden Ring Endures
FromSoftware’s collaboration with George R.R. Martin birthed a world that feels ancient and alive. Its refusal to handhold, combined with Miyazaki’s uncompromising vision, has created a game that rewards curiosity, perseverance, and creativity. Whether you’re a lore archaeologist or a combat masochist, Elden Ring offers a realm worth losing yourself in, repeatedly.
Watch the game trailer:
