ELDEN RING: A Symphony of Suffering and Splendor

Rise, Tarnished, and explore the monumental challenge that is ELDEN RING, an action RPG worthy of an epic.

last updated Nov 26, 2023

A stunning love letter to pain and perseverance

The Wild Dance of Steel and Sorcery

ELDEN RING thrusts players into a brutal ballet of combat and exploration. The deep, challenging gameplay mechanics are a testament to FromSoftware's craftsmanship, demanding precision and patience from players, whether they favor cleaving through foes with strength weapons or weaving spells from a distance. The trend of tough love is lovingly preserved here, with a steep learning curve that Soulsborne fans will recognize like an old frenemy. With a plethora of punishing enemies and a seemingly endless gauntlet of boss fights, ELDEN RING maintains the adrenaline-fueled dance of death that fans have come to revel in, even if it means dying over and... over again.

An Acoustic Journey Through Despair and Triumph

Every clink of armor and guttural roar in ELDEN RING is an auditory banquet that feeds into the game's brooding atmosphere, while the music sweeps you off your feet and drops you into the heart of the Lands Between. The soundtrack is a masterclass in mood-setting; one moment it's a serene lullaby as you traverse through vast fields, the next it's a pulse-pounding orchestra that accompanies the thrill of clashing swords. The audio work is undoubtedly a high point, with the siren calls of its quality compelling you to embrace both the awe and the terror that the game expertly crafts.

A World Where Beauty Meets Bleakness

Graphically, ELDEN RING is an arresting canvas of sweeping landscapes and grotesque creatures that have spawned from the most twisted of nightmares. The breathtaking vistas are so captivating that you might just forget the imminent danger lurking just out of sight. On the performance side, ELDEN RING holds up remarkably well, crafting a seamless experience that serves to immerse players ever deeper into its haunting world. Despite some hiccups like the occasional inaccurate hitbox that might cost you your life (and sanity), the game mostly runs like the well-oiled machine of agony that it was designed to be.

A Legacy Wrought in Eldritch Lore

The narrative of ELDEN RING is not your typical bedtime story; it's an intricate tapestry of lore that wears the enigmatic cloak of FromSoftware's storytelling signature. For those daring enough to delve into its depths, the story is as rewarding as it is cryptic, blending George R.R. Martin's world-building prowess with FromSoftware's penchant for opaque narrative delivery. The dark fantasy elements are akin to an ever-twisting labyrinth, ensnaring players who have an insatiable curiosity for lore. Though the storytelling leaves breadcrumbs rather than full slices of narrative, those patient enough to piece them together will find a tale that's both sprawling and hauntingly beautiful.

No Rest for the Wicked

In true FromSoftware fashion, the developers have shown no mercy when it comes to the difficulty of ELDEN RING. The game refuses to hold your hand, throwing you into the unforgiving deep end with the likes of Soldier of Godrick right from the get-go. While the lack of a difficulty setting has been the subject of heated debates, it is clear that the game is an offering for those seeking the thrill of a hard-fought victory. Veterans of the genre will wear their numerous deaths like badges of honor, whereas newcomers might find the learning curve akin to scaling a cliff face...with their teeth. Game Cover Art

STEAM RATING 92 .62% Developer FromSoftware Inc. Publisher FromSoftware Inc., Bandai Namco Entertainment Release Date February 24, 2022

Verdict - A Ring Worth the Reach

ELDEN RING stands tall as a juggernaut within the action RPG arena. The game weaves a merciless take on triumphant heroism, wrapped in layers of lore, with a difficulty that will have you taking your victories as you take your defeats: passionately and often. While not without its minor stutters and a multiplayer system that even the most courageous Tarnished could label as 'quirky,' ELDEN RING is a stunning love letter to pain and perseverance. It is an odyssey of the grandest scale, one that leaves you tarnished in the best possible way.