Development

Elden Ring was developed by FromSoftware, known for their challenging action RPGs such as the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, who sought to create an open-world experience that evolved the mechanics of Dark Souls. To enrich the game's lore, Miyazaki collaborated with American author George R.R. Martin, renowned for his fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. Martin provided the overarching mythos and worldbuilding, while Miyazaki and his team crafted the main storyline and in-game text. The development process spanned approximately four years, with a focus on creating a vast, immersive world that encouraged exploration and player agency.

Gameplay

Elden Ring is presented from a third-person perspective and features a vast open world known as the Lands Between. The game comprises six main areas, including Limgrave, characterized by grassy plains and ancient ruins, and Caelid, a desolate wasteland inhabited by undead creatures. Players traverse this expansive landscape on horseback using a spectral steed named Torrent and can utilize fast travel to navigate between discovered sites of grace.

The game emphasizes exploration, with numerous hidden dungeons, catacombs, tunnels, and caves scattered throughout the world. These areas often house formidable bosses and valuable items. At the outset, players select a character class, which determines their initial equipment, attributes, and spells. Combat mechanics are reminiscent of FromSoftware's previous titles, offering a variety of weapons, magic, and stealth options to approach encounters. The game also introduces a crafting system, allowing players to create items using materials gathered from the environment.

Release

Elden Ring was officially announced at E3 2019 and released on February 25, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for release in 2025. Upon launch, the game experienced performance issues, particularly on PC, which were subsequently addressed through patches and updates.

Reception

Elden Ring received universal acclaim from critics and players alike. Review aggregator Metacritic assigned the game a score of 95, indicating widespread praise. Critics lauded the game's expansive open world, intricate level design, and rewarding exploration mechanics. The combat system was praised for its depth and variety, offering players multiple approaches to encounters. However, some reviewers noted performance issues at launch and a lack of accessibility options.

The game achieved significant commercial success, selling over 12 million copies within its first week and surpassing 30 million copies by April 2025, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. Elden Ring received numerous awards, including Game of the Year honors from several publications and organizations.

Expansions and Spin-offs

In June 2024, FromSoftware released a downloadable content (DLC) expansion titled Shadow of the Erdtree. This expansion introduced new areas, enemies, and narrative elements, further expanding the game's lore. Shadow of the Erdtree received critical acclaim and sold over five million copies within three days of its release.

In May 2025, a multiplayer-focused spin-off game, Elden Ring Nightreign, was released. Set in a parallel universe to the original game, Nightreign features cooperative gameplay for up to three players, known as Nightfarers, who choose from eight preset characters with unique abilities. The game emphasizes survival through challenging day-and-night cycles, culminating in battles against the Nightlord. While Nightreign introduced a fresh cooperative experience, it received mixed reviews due to limited matchmaking options and the absence of character creation and progression systems.

Film Adaptation

In May 2025, a live-action film adaptation of Elden Ring was announced. The film is set to be produced by A24 and Bandai Namco, with Alex Garland attached as director and screenwriter. Producers include Peter Rice, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, George R.R. Martin, and Vince Gerardis. The adaptation aims to bring the rich lore and expansive world of Elden Ring to the big screen, though further details regarding casting and release dates have yet to be announced.