Elden Ring has finally been revealed. Here you can find out everything about the open world, release, multiplayer, gameplay, story and more about the role-playing game from From Software and George R.R.Martin.
For far too long there has been a disturbing silence about Elden Ring. This is an action RPG in an open world, which is being developed by the Souls makers From Software. In the meantime, there is finally new gameplay and solid information about the release, multiplayer, the story, the open world and more.
Everything you should know about Elden Ring
Release: When will Elden Ring be released
Release as early as next year: Elden Ring is scheduled for release on 21 January 2022. This means that the release of the role-playing game is not as far away as one or two fans might have feared.
What is the current status? Postponements cannot be ruled out, of course, but Elden Ring is said to already be in the final development phase. The developers are currently polishing the game, and the Steam page is now live. In addition, they are working on ensuring that the game does not become stodgy despite its size.
Platforms: What can Elden Ring be played on?
PC and Console: The release of Elden Ring is planned for PC, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S as well as Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Whether and what differences there are for the respective platforms is currently unknown. Those who get Elden Ring for old consoles will also be able to upgrade to the version for new generations.
Available on PC via Steam: Elden Ring is available to PC players via Steam for purchase and play. This has already been confirmed by the official website and the new gameplay trailer from E3 2021. You can’t pre-order the game on the Steam page yet, but you can add it to your wishlist. So far, there is no information about minimum and recommended system requirements.
How much game time does Elden Ring include?
According to a developer interview, which we have summarised for you here, Elden Ring will not be an open-world adventure lasting hundreds of hours. At least not if you only play the story. That can probably be completed in 30 to 40 hours.
For optional areas, bosses and more, you can add on a few hours. Even half of the bosses are supposed to be optional.
Story: What is Elden Ring about?
What it’s about: Parallels to the Souls games are clearly present: We slip into the role of a so-called Tarnished. They were once banished from the interlands because they did not carry the light of the golden order in their eyes. This emanates from the all-embracing Earth Tree and the mystical artefact “Eldenring”.
When this breaks, however, the land is plunged into misfortune, war and despair, while we are allowed to return as descendants of the exiles and answer the call to become the next Elden Prince. This destiny is also to become the main guide in the story and exploration of the world.
The demigods blessed by the blood of the local ruler Marika are responsible for the chaos in the interlands. They snatched the shards of the Elden Ring and now rule with madness and violence. They are the bosses of the six large dungeons in the game, which have to be mastered.
Storytelling like in Dark Souls: Typical for From Software, the story is told rather indirectly via item descriptions and details in the world. We have to carefully explore, read and make up our own stories.
However, NPCs also play a larger role – just like us, other heroes are also on the search for the parts of the Elden Ring and drive the plot forward. Depending on the decisions we make and how we behave towards them, this influences the different endings. For as an Elden Lord, we are in principle a kind of god, but by no means omnipotent.
In addition, the story is supposed to be easier to understand overall than in Dark Souls, but also deeper and richer, because the world and plot are so much more extensive.
How does George R.R. Martin come into play? The author does not contribute the story, but the myths and legends of the world, as well as its real history. So Elden Ring pretty much doesn’t tell an extensive Game of Thrones-brand story, even though elements like betrayal and intrigue may enter the world.
Miyazaki described himself as a big fan of Martin, which is why the contact was made. However, From Software did not originally expect a commitment from the bestselling author and was pleasantly surprised.
Gameplay: How does Elden Ring play?
The genre: Elden Ring will be a third-person action RPG and somehow also Souls-like. In this way, it takes its cue from From Software’s earlier works such as Bloodborne and Dark Souls. The previously released Sekiro famously departed somewhat from the role-playing elements.
With this you fight your opponents: A variety of melee and ranged weapons or even magic are available to you in battle. According to the Steam description, you can freely combine armour, weapons and spells. In addition, you can use over 100 special skills on different weapons – just like the weapon skills in Dark Souls 3.
Each player should find their own approach against the numerous enemies. Stealth is a valid option, as in Sekiro, for example: if you sneak up on enemies from behind, you deal more damage. In addition, jumps now allow more freedom when fighting and exploring.
Roleplay elements: After the one-armed wolf in Sekiro, you are now allowed to create your own character again. There are also different character classes: As in Dark Souls 3, there are again ten to choose from – most likely mages, warriors, rogues and more from the standard buffet, details we don’t know yet. However, this only gives you an approximate direction and probably the starting equipment, because as always, you can further expand and customise your hero via skill points.
Horse as companion: By the way, you don’t have to explore the in-between land on foot. A faithful mount is at your disposal, judging by screenshots and videos even always the same one. The animal can overcome high cliffs and wide ditches via magical portals. You can also fight from horseback. In dungeons or in multiplayer, however, you will have to do without your comfortable helper.
Hard boss fights are planned: Those who liked the boss fights of the Souls series shall not be disappointed by Elden Ring. Challenging opponents are to become an integral part of the title. However, Elden Ring is much freer – which bosses you tackle and when, or whether you ignore some completely, is up to you.
How hard will Elden Ring be? Overall, the battles will be more varied than in Dark Souls and stamina will play a smaller role as a resource. The challenge comes more from the fact that you now have many more tactical options for tackling conflicts – for example, via stealth or on horseback.
Either way, the battles will be crisp again, but there will also be a mechanic similar to the resurrection in Sekiro. There will also be more ways than just one to heal yourself – but also longer battles. You will even be able to craft healing items yourself – item crafting and resource gathering is an important part of the game.
By the way, some enemies will want to trick you again, like the infamous mimic chests. Maybe the living vases?
Multiplayer: Will there be PvP and/or co-op?
Online co-op for up to four players: Not unlike the Souls games, you can bring along reinforcements on your journeys through the in-between world. You can summon up to three players at a time – almost anywhere, apparently. PvP also returns, even in the open expanses of the open world. You will only have to do without your horse in multiplayer.
The familiar phantoms, invasions and messages from other players will also play a role. If you don’t have any real friends at hand, you can also summon the spirits of fallen enemies as AI helpers. They bring exciting tactical possibilities because they can cover your back with a shield or keep enemies at a distance as archers.
Open World: What kind of game world does Elden Ring offer?
Open World: Instead of travelling from area to area as in From Software’s previous games, in Elden Ring you explore a truly open world on foot and on horseback. However, it is not Ubisoft and Co. that serve as inspiration, but the classic Shadow of the Colossus. This is characterised by a rather empty, lonely world with individual exciting fixed points. It also fits in with this that the spirit of adventure and the urge to discover should be at the centre.
There will be a classic map: There will still be a map – but only in the Open World and not in dungeons, so that players can still have fun finding their way. It is not yet known whether it can also be deactivated there. However, you are allowed to set your own waypoints as objectives.
Exploration plays a central role. You should see something and then want to get there – similar to Skyrim or Zelda: Breath of the Wild. If you get lost, however, NPCs or the hunt for the shards of the Elden Ring will help you as an overarching goal. You can’t run straight to the final dungeon, by the way, because you have to unlock some areas first.
You can save at certain checkpoints in the world. These are called “blessing or mercy”, are indicated by a glow on the ground and were created when the Elden Ring was broken. This is very reminiscent of the beacons from Dark Souls.
We already know these areas: From the information on the official website and the gameplay trailer, some information about the diversity of the game world of Elden Ring emerges. Thus, the in-between land is composed of green plains, swamps, mountain ranges, but also castles and dungeons.
Miyazaki has confirmed that there will be six main areas, each with a large dungeon and its own boss. By the way, you won’t find any cities because the team preferred to invest its resources in its own strengths.
Away from the beat, however, you will discover many other interesting places such as ruins, NPCs or smaller dungeons. The first screenshots show what the game world looks like:
“Seamless” transitions: According to the developers, the open game world of Elden Ring will feature smooth transitions. So you can expect no long loading times and perhaps even shortcuts or new routes that you gradually open up.
There will be a fast travel function as well as a central hub area (probably somewhere near the earth tree) in the style of the Fireband Shrine.
Dynamic Weather: The change of day and night as well as the weather was already part of previous games by From Software. However, this was always subject to certain script sequences In Elden Ring, both the day/night and weather changes are supposed to work dynamically, which should undoubtedly benefit the atmosphere.
In addition, some tracks of monsters or animals are more visible at night, it is easier to sneak around and particularly strong enemies appear at certain points.
Legacy Dungeons: If you’re afraid that the classic Dark Souls level design will lose its charm in the open world, you’ll be pleased with the dungeons, which should bring the familiar vertical areas, winding paths, shortcuts, traps and surprise enemies.
There will even be puzzle passages and the new jump function will open up more paths – at the same time, the fall damage has been reduced to avoid frustration. In addition, you will not only visit classic dungeons, but also caves, catacombs or fortresses.
Trailer: What is there to see about Elden Ring?
There is not much video material on Elden Ring so far. After a first trailer at E3 2019, From Software kept its feet still for quite a long time. Only at E3 2021 a more detailed gameplay trailer followed. You can watch both videos here:
First Reveal Trailer of 2019
First Gameplay Trailer of 2021
Are you looking forward to Elden Ring? And are you Dark Souls fans or absolute newbies when it comes to badass boss fights? Write us in the comments what you think of the upcoming action role-playing game
