ELDEN RING A Vast Dark World to Wander

You roam broad stretches of country that open onto vast dungeons full of layered passages to work through. You choose the direction, pick which threats to face, and find what lies past the next ridge or stairway down.

The world stays full of mystery and looks striking at every turn, with an excellent soundtrack behind it. The environments and visuals are beautiful. Exploring gives a steady sense of adventure and discovery.

The open world divides opinion: some find it rewarding to explore, others find it empty or repetitive.

Getting into a fight feels straightforward, yet there is plenty to refine as you keep playing. Each exchange asks when to press forward and when to stay safe, with well-judged strikes opening up weak foes. Learning enemy moves and timing pays off in boss fights, and the fighting itself is fun to play.

You have many weapons and spells, so you can play in different ways, with summons also available for support.

If a boss is too hard, you can explore elsewhere, level up and return.

Your loadout across gear and spells can be shaped many different ways, letting the character match your habits. That includes a wide choice of weapons, spells and summons to build around. The game has high replay value.

You are a Tarnished out to rise to Elden Lordship. A mythos written with George R. R. Martin feeds a dense plot where your own interventions steer how things play out.

The telling is fragmented and hard to follow for some, while others praise its storytelling. Guides or videos are a common way to understand the story.