ELDEN RING

10s aren't perfect, since nothing is, but they come as close as you could get in a given genre. The new leader to beat in its sector, we're talking pure ecstasy.

94%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, grinding

94% User Score Based on 1,011,694 reviews

Critic Score 94%Based on 97 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $41.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$59.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store Buy NowGet on PS Store$41.99

About

Elden Ring Randomzier Hints is a mod for Elden Ring that generates in-game hints for item and enemy locations in randomized worlds. This mod is designed to provide more goal-directed play while still maintaining the exploration and discovery aspects of the randomized world. The hints offer information about item locations and fog gate routes, making it easier to find items useful for character builds.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+23

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,011,791 reviews

story16.2k positive mentions

optimization18.4k negative mentions

The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional impact, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
The graphics are stunning, creating a captivating and visually immersive world that complements the narrative.
Elden Ring offers exceptional replayability with its vast open world, diverse character builds, and multiple endings, allowing players to explore different playstyles.

The game suffers from performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, particularly on PC, which detracts from the overall experience.
The story is often criticized for being convoluted and difficult to follow, leading to confusion and frustration among players.
Character development is seen as lacking depth, with the main character described as a blank slate and minimal exploration of motivations.

story
60,769 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The story of "Elden Ring" is characterized by its intricate and cryptic narrative, requiring players to piece together lore through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and NPC dialogues. While many players appreciate the depth and richness of the world-building, the lack of a quest log and clear direction can lead to confusion and frustration, often necessitating the use of external guides to fully grasp the story and complete quests. Overall, the game offers a compelling, albeit challenging, storytelling experience that rewards exploration and curiosity, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.
- “The gameplay is masterful, the music is masterful, the visuals/visual storytelling is masterful, and the story it tells would not be out of place in any library of great literature.”
- “One of the standout aspects of Elden Ring is its storytelling, which is rich, layered, and deep.”
- “The story unfolds through environmental storytelling, NPC interactions, and item descriptions, encouraging players to piece together the intricate plot.”
- “The only thing that I disliked was how loose the storyline is.”
- “The story is so complex and tough that it makes the Bermuda Triangle look like a jigsaw puzzle.”
- “The story is a convoluted mess, and the characters are so forgettable I can't recall a single name.”
gameplay
47,870 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay of *Elden Ring* is widely praised for its challenging yet rewarding mechanics, blending familiar elements from previous FromSoftware titles with innovative features like mounted combat and spirit summons. Players appreciate the expansive open world that encourages exploration and experimentation with various builds, although some criticize the game for its steep learning curve and occasional frustrating mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated for its depth, intricate combat, and immersive world, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.
- “I really had fun with it, the world building, the combat mechanics and build you can do in the game are endless.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely addictive, best soundtrack of all time and the combat is tough, yet rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is incredible, the sense of scale is unmatched, it has one of the most well built worlds I've ever experienced, I would even go as far as to say that there is not a single thing I dislike about this game.”
- “The gameplay feels slow, sluggish, delayed, and just boring.”
- “The mechanics are convoluted to the point where outside help—be it forums or YouTube tutorials—is practically mandatory.”
- “The gameplay is a cumbersome mess, the open-world lacks substance, the story is forgettable, and technical problems abound.”
optimization
43,854 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
48%
42%
The optimization of "Elden Ring" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting persistent performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following patches, the game is still criticized for being poorly optimized for PC, particularly in comparison to its console counterparts. Overall, while the gameplay and design are praised, the technical performance remains a major drawback for many players.
- “The game's performance is great in most parts.”
- “It's got beautiful graphics and is optimized great.”
- “Every part of this game is so perfectly crafted, every performance a cut above the rest.”
- “The recent patches made the game's performance very poor, however.”
- “Since the DLC, the game begins fine but will start stuttering until the game is barely playable.”
- “I can't give a game released in 2022, that after 2 years still is this badly optimized and that has its FPS locked to 60 to hide it.”
graphics
29,803 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The graphics of "Elden Ring" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate art design, creating a captivating and immersive world. Many players highlight the breathtaking landscapes and detailed character models, although some critiques mention performance issues and a lack of cutting-edge graphical fidelity compared to other recent titles. Overall, the game's aesthetic and artistic direction are celebrated, making it a visual masterpiece despite some technical shortcomings.
- “Amazing visuals.”
- “The graphics are stunning, creating a unique atmosphere that perfectly complements the narrative.”
- “The graphics are jaw-dropping, with stunning environments and flawless frame rates that make every moment immersive.”
- “Outdated 2010 era graphics.”
- “The graphics are the only thing this dumpster fire has going for it, and even they aren't anything special.”
- “The graphics are terrible.”
music
12,258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The music in "Elden Ring" has received mixed reviews from players, with many praising its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional impact during exploration and boss fights. While some tracks, particularly those associated with major bosses, are highlighted as exceptional, others feel repetitive or less memorable compared to previous FromSoftware titles. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the immersive experience, though some players express a desire for more variety and distinctiveness in the music throughout the game.
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, composed by Yuka Kitamura and others, adds emotional weight to every battle and area.”
- “A well-suited OST shrouds the Lands Between in its beauty, with dynamic music that immerses the player in either combat or moments of relaxation.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible, and the story is captivating, while also being easier to understand and follow compared to previous Souls games.”
- “This is also the most blasé FromSoft OST, and I say that as a big fan of ambient music.”
- “I actually play with music muted because of how the ambient tracks drone on.”
- “The music is completely forgettable.”
grinding
7,992 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
13%
86%
The grinding aspect of "Elden Ring" has received mixed reviews from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some players appreciate the opportunity to level up and improve their characters through grinding, others find the repetitive nature of farming runes and facing similar bosses to be frustrating and unfulfilling. Overall, the game offers a significant amount of content and exploration, but the grind can detract from the enjoyment, especially in the late game where encounters may feel more like chores than challenges.
- “I know a route to get my favorite weapon, a really solid set of ashes of war, and well over level 60 before walking up to Margit with no grinding whatsoever.”
- “No grinding necessary but you can grind if you want to make the game easier.”
- “The gameplay is not too grindy and hard but still challenging (in a good way).”
- “Very grindy and unforgiving fyi.”
- “Honestly a really fun game but takes a lot of grinding before you can really progress to the true bosses in the story-line.”
- “The game is very tedious if you don't look anything up or use summons, and extremely easy if you do either.”
stability
5,669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
1%
86%
The stability of "Elden Ring" has been a significant point of contention among players, particularly on PC. Many users report frequent freezes, stuttering, and crashes, especially during intense gameplay moments such as boss fights. While some players have experienced smooth performance with minimal issues, a substantial number have faced game-breaking glitches and connection problems in multiplayer, leading to frustration and a recommendation to wait for further patches before purchasing. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of a brilliant experience marred by technical instability.
- “The game runs great, has great looking (and some horrifying enemies that make me wonder who the hell came up with this thing) and most of the bosses look great with a fantastic score.”
- “No tech issues, no stutters, no freezes or crashes.”
- “The game runs great (even on my old processor) & is very stable.”
- “Also, networking features are generally buggy and vulnerable to cheaters.”
- “The quests are a buggy mess that are basically impossible to complete without a guide, with NPCs teleporting across the entire vast world between each quest stage and giving no indication of where they've gone to next.”
- “The game has the worst performance issues of any game I have ever played, most of the time it shows the loading screen then crashes and others I load into the game but the load bar freezes halfway through.”
atmosphere
4,944 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The atmosphere in "Elden Ring" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world design, which collectively create a rich and engaging experience. Players appreciate the diverse environments, each with its own unique atmosphere, ranging from serene landscapes to ominous dungeons, enhancing the sense of exploration and discovery. While some critiques mention a lack of cohesion in storytelling and occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game's atmospheric depth and intricate details significantly contribute to its status as a modern masterpiece in the action RPG genre.
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and visual storytelling immerse you in its world.”
- “The atmospheric lighting, the shift from sunlit plains to ominous, fog-covered valleys, and the colossal architecture combine to make each area feel unique.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful score perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, drawing you deeper into its mystical world.”
- “But for players who appreciated the more focused, intense atmosphere of Dark Souls, the game can feel a bit dispersive, lacking the tight-knit design that made its predecessors so iconic.”
- “The atmosphere is the main thing this game has going for it; don't ruin it.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the story (that you'll have to do some digging for).”
replayability
4,674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
Elden Ring is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its vast open world, diverse character builds, and multiple endings. Players appreciate the freedom to explore different playstyles and strategies, with many noting that each playthrough can feel unique due to the extensive customization options available. However, some critiques highlight that the game's size and certain repetitive elements may diminish replay value for some players, particularly after the initial experience. Overall, the game is considered one of the most replayable titles in the FromSoftware catalog, offering countless hours of engaging gameplay.
- “The replayability is top notch; I can start a run as soon as I finish one just so I can try new weapons, but there is nothing like taking a break for a while and then returning to re-experience it.”
- “The variety of weapons, abilities, and builds offers endless replayability.”
- “With its extremely high replay value, this game will keep you coming back for more, time and time again.”
- “The dlc is even worse on zero replayability; once you defeat the final boss (which spoiler alert is another reused version of the main game), you won't or even need to return since there is a whole different difficulty scaling system.”
- “The game is great, open world with small questlines all around you, dungeons with small bosses, the main questline with I think 7 different endings depending on the choices you make in some of the small questlines. The only minus is the replayability because after the first game or two you know everything about the game and all that there is to do is to either learn the bosses to the point where you no-hit them or just try different builds.”
- “The sheer amount of reused content throughout the game gives it a replayability issue, but by the time you've reached ng+ you've already gotten your money's worth from the experience, and then some.”
humor
3,272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Elden Ring" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's dark, sardonic wit and the hilarious messages left by the community. Many find joy in the absurdity of their deaths, often laughing at the unexpected ways they meet their demise, while the chaotic multiplayer interactions add to the comedic experience. Overall, the game balances its challenging gameplay with moments of levity, making it a source of both frustration and laughter for players.
- “I had to take frequent breaks to recover from doubling over laughing after sending groups of moaning, decrepit 'soldiers' and 'wizards' flying into the wall with my berserk-inspired broadsword.”
- “The messages players leave can be helpful and funny, which increased my overall enjoyment.”
- “The community is equal parts hilarious and fascinating, and this surprisingly does not jar tonally with the rest of the experience; in fact, you expect it and embrace it as part of the world.”
- “Also, the messages have become just plain unfunny and annoying.”
- “What I dislike (read only when you have beaten the game): [spoiler] the final boss is an unfunny joke, it's so bad I don't want to beat the game again because of it.”
- “Underwhelming rewards for everything from combat to exploration, not great UI, not great map, not great netcode (2 disconnects out of 4 attempts), pointless crafting, absolutely flooded with unfunny meme soapstone messages, the 'lore' is just a find and replace on Dark Souls... it's oooooooooookay but I really don't think it's anything special at all.”
emotional
2,694 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Elden Ring" resonates deeply with players, evoking a wide range of feelings from joy and nostalgia to frustration and heartbreak. Many reviewers express that the game rekindles the wonder of childhood gaming experiences, with its rich lore, stunning visuals, and haunting soundtrack amplifying emotional moments throughout the journey. Players frequently mention crying during pivotal moments, whether from the beauty of the game, the challenges faced, or the poignant stories of its characters, making it a profoundly impactful experience that lingers long after gameplay.
- “This game made me feel like I did playing Skyrim for the first time as a teenager.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, composed by Yuka Kitamura and others, adds emotional weight to every battle and area.”
- “Every moment becomes not just a test of skill, but an immersive visual and emotional experience that pulls you into its radiant, elevated realm.”
- “All the beautiful arts and visuals cannot save this game from its boring story, dead open world, and annoying grindfest.”
- “Tedious and repetitive with a vague, boring story.”
- “Poorly optimized for PC, graphical fidelity from 2016, boring story, cringy voice acting, basically Dark Souls 3 in open world.”
monetization
1,088 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
53%
37%
The monetization model of Elden Ring has been overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, or any form of pay-to-win mechanics, which many players find refreshing in a gaming landscape often dominated by such practices. Reviewers appreciate that the game offers a complete experience for a single purchase price, emphasizing that it respects players by providing a full, engaging game without additional costs or hidden fees. This approach has been highlighted as a significant factor in the game's success and a hopeful sign for the future of game development.
- “The absence of microtransactions and a focus on delivering a fully realized product speak volumes about the integrity of the developers behind this gem.”
- “In an age where most games come out borderline unplayable and filled with as many microtransactions as they can fit, Elden Ring was a breath of fresh air.”
- “There's something to be said about a best-selling entry in a franchise among the greatest of all time being a single-player, box product in a market saturated with live-service multiplayer and predatory monetization.”
- “In a world full of games trying to squeeze every penny out of you with microtransactions and garbage content, Elden Ring stands tall and proud, made with nothing but love and passion.”
- “This game is what should be a standard for companies nowadays who focus too much on creating cash grab garbage with terrible story and get upset when players push back.”
character development
960 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
44%
5%
Character development in "Elden Ring" receives mixed reviews, with many praising the extensive customization options that allow players to shape their characters through various builds and abilities. However, some critics note a lack of depth in character evolution and narrative, describing the main character as a blank slate with minimal exploration of motivations. Overall, while the character design is celebrated for its creativity and detail, the game's storytelling and character development are seen as less compelling compared to other titles in the genre.
- “Character development in Elden Ring is deeply satisfying, offering a wealth of customization options that shape your journey through the Lands Between.”
- “The rich story, delivered through bosses, item descriptions, cutscenes, character designs, and even architecture, creates a vivid and encapsulating experience that feels organic rather than forced.”
- “Fromsoft nailed the character design and world-building, crafting an epic tale that’ll suck you in faster than a black hole in the cosmos.”
- “There's basically no character development and the main character is a completely blank slate with a motivation that never gets explored.”
- “There is no character development, no companions, boring side quests, boring main quest.”
- “Limited character development: beyond attribute improvement, there's little in terms of character evolution or depth.”

94%Critics’ scoreBased on 98 critic reviews

Buy ELDEN RING

66h Median play time

111h Average play time

58h Main story

133h Completionist

20-150h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 5,554 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

This game contains adult content

90%151.8kreviews

DARK SOULS III

2016

Open World Role Playing Shooter

This game contains adult content

91%173.6kreviews

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

2019

Open World Hack and Slash

84%74.5kreviews

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED

2018

Role Playing

93%144.8kreviews

Hollow Knight

2018

Hack and Slash

+14

87%28.8kreviews

Dark Souls II

2014

Open World Role Playing

This game contains adult content

89%32.3kreviews

Dark Souls

2012

Open World Hack and Slash

90%67.4kreviews

Black Myth: Wukong

2024

Role Playing

This game contains adult content

93%175.5kreviews

Divinity: Original Sin 2

2017

Role Playing

+14

This game contains adult content

88%30.8kreviews

Lies of P

2023

Open World Role Playing

+10

This game contains adult content

94%231.3kreviews

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

2015

Open World Role Playing

+11

ELDEN RING Tweets

ELDEN RING

Platforms

About

Elden Ring Review (Xbox Series X

Elden Ring Review – Come, Let’s Die All Over Again

Elden Ring

Buy ELDEN RING

ELDEN RING PS4 & PS5

Elden Ring Deluxe Edition Steam CD Key

Elden Ring (PC) - Steam Gift - AUSTRALIA

ELDEN RING

ELDEN RING

Videos

Games Like ELDEN RING

DARK SOULS III

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED

Hollow Knight

Dark Souls II

Dark Souls

Black Myth: Wukong

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Lies of P

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt