With Elden Ring, FromSoftware brings its next dark fantasy universe after Dark Souls and Bloodborne in early 2022. Everything we know so far can be found here on MeinMMO in our overview.
What is Elden Ring? This is the next big project from FromSoftware, who created an entire genre with Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. The developers are known for brutally hard, dark, and complex action role-playing games. These include:
- Demon’s Souls
- Dark Souls 1-3
- Bloodborne
- Sekiro
With Elden Ring, FromSoftware, under the leadership of developer legend and game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, aims to take the next step. We have already summarized and presented 6 of the biggest differences for you.
The game was already announced at E3 2019 but disappeared for a long time. During the unveiling of the first real gameplay trailer at the E3 2021, fans absolutely went wild.
In addition to Miyazaki, the famous “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R. R. Martin is involved in the story and lore of Elden Ring. His books also inspired the popular series Game of Thrones. What is currently known about Elden Ring can be found here.
We will continuously update the article with the latest information on Elden Ring.
Update, January 17: We have updated the article and added sections on multiplayer and crossplay.
Elden Ring – Release, Platforms, Beta, Playtime
The game will be released on February 25, 2022.
The action RPG will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC. On PC, the game will be launched via Steam.
There was already a network test that showcased a lot of gameplay. However, it was only brief and is already over. It is not known whether another test will take place before the release.
Yes. There will be co-op and PvP, similar to previous FromSoftware games.
This is not currently known. As of now, only consoles can play together across generations.
According to Hidetaka Miyazaki, you can complete the main story in Elden Ring in about 30 to 40 hours. However, with additional content, the playtime will be significantly longer.
Gameplay for Elden Ring
Currently, there is quite a bit of gameplay available for Elden Ring. Here, you can watch 19 minutes of it:
Here you can also watch the latest story trailer:
Pre-order Elden Ring – Bonuses and Editions
What editions are available? Elden Ring will come in a total of five different variants. Not all of these editions are available for every platform on which Elden Ring will be released. Here’s the overview:
Standard Edition
- Price: 59.99 – 69.99 €
- Platforms: Available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Download)
Launch Edition
- Price: 59.99 – 69.99 €
- Platforms: Available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Download).
- Game on physical media (PC version comes with a code)
- Art cards: 3 exclusive art cards show the environment of the Lands Between, size: 135 × 170 mm
- Woven patch: An exclusive woven patch
- Stickers: 3 exclusive stickers with emblem patterns from the game
- Poster: An exclusive poster showing a hero of the past. Size: 393 × 334 mm
- An alternative steelbook: an exclusive limited edition of the steelbook depicting a hero of the past
Deluxe Edition
- Price: 79.99 €
- Platforms: PC only
- Digital artbook & original soundtrack
Collector’s Edition
- Price: 189.99 €
- Platforms: Available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Download).
- Game on physical media (PC version comes with a code)
- Art cards: 3 exclusive art cards show the environment of the Lands Between, size: 135 × 170 mm
- Woven patch: An exclusive woven patch
- Stickers: 3 exclusive stickers with emblem patterns from the game
- Poster: An exclusive poster showing a hero of the past. Size: 393 × 334 mm
- Digital soundtrack
- Exclusive steelbook
- Hardcover artbook with 40 pages: An exclusive artbook with 40 pages. Size: 24.1 × 21.5 cm. Language: English
- Statue of Malenia, Blade of Miquella (23 cm)
Premium Collector’s Edition
- Price: 259.99 €
- Platforms: Available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Download)
- Game on physical media (PC version comes with a code)
- Art cards: 3 exclusive art cards show the environment of the Lands Between, size: 135 × 170 mm
- Woven patch: An exclusive woven patch
- Stickers: 3 exclusive stickers with emblem patterns from the game.
- Poster: An exclusive poster showing a hero of the past. Size: 393 × 334 mm
- Digital soundtrack.
- Exclusive steelbook
- Hardcover artbook with 40 pages: An exclusive artbook with 40 pages. Size: 24.1 × 21.5 cm. Language: English.
- Statue of Malenia, Blade of Miquella (23 cm)
- An official replica of Malenia, Blade of Miquella’s helmet. Comes with a stand. A strictly limited and numbered 1:1 scale helmet.
Unfortunately, both Collector’s Editions are mostly sold out and can only be found at exorbitant prices. However, you can keep an eye on the shops from Amazon (via amazon.de) and Bandai Namco (via store.bandainamco.eu) in case new copies become available.
However, the quantity of the Premium Collector’s Edition is limited to 6,000 units, so you shouldn’t expect restocks here.
Pre-order customers will also receive some bonuses:
- Bonus gesture “The Ring”: This gesture can be used in the game. Players can also obtain it later in the game.
- A digital adventurer’s guide: “This guide contains everything you need to know for an adventure in the Lands Between.”
Elden Ring – System Requirements and Download Size
What we know so far about the specs: Officially, FromSoftware has not yet revealed any system requirements. What is known is that Elden Ring will have an FPS lock, as is customary for the developer’s other games.
The game is expected to run at up to 60 FPS, offering a native 4K resolution, and ray tracing will be added after release. (via vg247.com)
What hardware does your PC need? A report from Gameinformer has also published specs for Elden Ring, which have not yet been officially confirmed. (via Gameinformer). So enjoy this information with caution.
Minimum System Requirements
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-6300 |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 7 |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 770 (2 GB) or AMD Radeon R9 280 |
| Pixel Shader | 5.0 |
| Vertex Shader | 5.0 |
| Free Disk Space | 150 GB |
Recommended System Requirements
| Processor | Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 12 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 480 (4 GB) |
| Pixel Shader | 5.1 |
| Vertex Shader | 5.1 |
| Free Disk Space | 150 GB |
Will the game really be that huge? Officially, there are still no details regarding the download size. However, it seems unlikely that the game will indeed require that much storage space upon release. It might just be a placeholder.
However, there is already a leak regarding the PS5 and Xbox Series version, which is reported to have a significantly lower download size.
- The PS5 version is said to be 44.4 GB in size. This figure comes from the Twitter account “PlayStation Game Size,” which has correctly revealed download sizes beforehand. (via Twitter)
- The Xbox Series version is expected to require around 50 GB of storage. This info is sourced from the Xbox Store, so it is likely accurate (via reddit).
Nothing is currently known about the PC version. Based on previous FromSoftware games, it is likely to be similar to the other versions.
The information refers to the standard version, without any potential Day-1-patch.
Will there be a preload? While this has not been officially confirmed, according to “PlayStation Game Size,” a preload for PS5 and PS4 is expected to start on February 23.
Performance and Modes on Xbox and PlayStation
Of course, there are also differences between the individual consoles. Here are the official specifications (via bandainamcoent.eu):
PS4 and PS5
- PS4: 30 FPS and up to 1920x1080p (Full HD)
- PS4 Pro: 30 FPS and up to 3200x1800p (Dynamic resolution)
- PS5: Up to 60 FPS (Performance mode) and 3840x2160p, ray tracing will be added
- HDR support
- No save game transfer between PS4 and PS5
The PlayStation 5 offers two different modes. One is the performance mode, which provides 60 FPS but reduces the details in the graphical settings. Then there is the quality mode, which delivers 30 FPS and better graphics. Both modes run in 4K.
Xbox One and Xbox Series
- Xbox One: 30 FPS and up to 1600x900p, no HDR support
- Xbox One X: 30 FPS and up to 3840x2160p
- Xbox Series S: Up to 60 FPS (Performance mode) and up to 2560x1440p
- Xbox Series X: Up to 60 FPS (Performance mode) and up to 3840x2160p, ray tracing will be added
Here too, there will likely be a quality mode and a performance mode.
Explore the Lands Between of Elden Ring
What is Elden Ring about? As is customary with previous games from the Dark Souls developer, Elden Ring is also a game with a mysterious and dark story.
So far the creators have kept quiet on many aspects, but we now know some hard facts:
- The world of Elden Ring is called “The Land Between”.
- In the Lands Between stands the powerful Erd Tree, to whose roots the Elden Ring once belonged.
- The Elden Ring, a mysterious and powerful object, is broken into six parts due to a significant event.
- You play as the “Tarnished”, seeking to reassemble the Elden Ring and ascend to the Elden Lord.
- To do this, you must drive away the current ruler, Marika the Eternal. Her many children are demigods and have seized the pieces of the shattered Elden Ring.
- They have been driven mad by the power of the pieces, causing a war in the Lands Between.
A large part of the background story and lore of Elden Ring comes from the pen of George R. R. Martin in collaboration with FromSoftware.
You travel through the Lands Between and unravel the mystery surrounding the Elden Ring. Along the way, you encounter various and peculiar characters, battle through numerous threats, and master the challenging combat system known from FromSoftware’s games.
This time, however, side characters are supposed to play a bigger role and also be important figures from the Lands Between. The first gameplay reveal gives you an insight into the Lands Between:
Elden Ring has a huge open world
This is the difference from previous games: The first difference that is likely to catch your eye is the scale of the game world in Elden Ring. It will be noticeably more extensive and larger than what you are used to from previous Souls games like Bloodborne or Dark Souls.
While they also did not have small game worlds, the design and structure of worlds such as Lordran from Dark Souls 1 were significantly closer, more interwoven, and labyrinthine.
Elden Ring aims to push into larger dimensions and offers a more open and expansive game world.
What we know about the Lands Between:
- There will be a total of 6 different regions.
- There is no specific order in which you must visit each region.
- Some areas cannot be fully explored immediately.
- There is a day and night cycle, dynamic weather, and events.
- Hostile creatures roam around and wander through the various regions.
- Despite everything, there is supposed to be a red thread in the story so that you never lose sight of your goal.
While exploring the world, you will receive a useful means of transport. You can quickly get from one place to another with a sort of “spirit horse”.
This horse can be summoned at any time or disappears as soon as you dismount. You can also fight from the back of your horse and traverse steep slopes in giant leaps.
If that’s still too slow for you: There will be a sort of fast travel system.
Legacy Dungeons offer classic level design
What are Legacy Dungeons? In the game world of Elden Ring, there are numerous dungeons. These will include all kinds of varieties, such as castles, caves, catacombs, and other types of dungeons that you will explore. You can enter these seamlessly through the open world.
These dungeons offer the classic level design familiar from games like Bloodborne or Dark Souls. Their game worlds were, aside from a few more open areas, more like nested labyrinths and significantly more compact than typical open worlds. There should even be sections with puzzles.
Those who prefer this level design will not miss out in Elden Ring. How many dungeons there will be is currently unknown. However, since there will be six main regions in Elden Ring, each ending with one of the main bosses, one can assume at least six dungeons.
According to FromSoftware, however, there will be significantly more optional boss enemies than was the case in previous games. So there may be even more Legacy Dungeons in the game.
Multiplayer in Elden Ring
In Elden Ring, there is co-op and PvP. Both are based on familiar systems that you’ve partially seen in Dark Souls. Summonings and invasions are again central, and the progress in boss battles is not shared.
Co-op Mode
This is how the co-op mode works: Players are “summoned” into your game world. This works through specific symbols that others can place on the ground in their world.
These symbols are then made visible in your game world. This way, you can explore dungeons and the open game world together in Elden Ring. However, you will need several items that you can find early in the game:
- The “small golden statue”: This allows you to place a golden symbol in the game world. It then appears at the same spot for random players, who can summon you.
- The “Tarnished’s crooked finger” allows targeted collaboration with others. You place a symbol with it, but for your co-op partner to summon you, they need another item.
- You can set a password with the crooked finger to play specifically with friends.
- With the item “crooked finger medicine” and the corresponding password, you can make your friends’ symbol visible and summon them. However, this item will be consumed.
You can summon a maximum of two players for assistance, so you can be a maximum of three. In Dark Souls 3, for example, up to three co-op partners were possible. If you want to tackle a dungeon with other players, you first need to enter the instance and summon your friends there.
If you are traveling with your co-op partners in the open world, you cannot simply enter the next dungeon. You can freely explore the open world with other players, though. The co-op mode only separates between dungeon and open world.
Furthermore, when you defeat a boss, your co-op partners are sent back to their world.
Is progress shared? No, progress is limited to the host. Guests in a game world cannot take items with them; defeated bosses remain alive in the co-op player’s world unless the player has already defeated them.
At least for defeating enemies, the guest will receive the same amount of EXP as the host, and co-op players do not lose this if they die.
Your horse is also not available in co-op. You will be on foot.
PvP Mode
This is how you can initiate duels:
- With the “small red statue,” you can place a red symbol. This allows players to summon you specifically and challenge you to a duel.
- The “Tarnished Duelist’s crooked finger” lets you summon duel opponents using a password, similar to the co-op mode.
- Your opponent also needs crooked finger medicine to summon you specifically.
This is how you can initiate invasions:
- To invade, you need the “bloody finger.” This allows you to invade the game worlds of random opponents.
- With the “spotter tongue,” you can let yourself be invaded by other players and thus provoke invasions.
- With the “blue ring,” you can automatically be summoned into the worlds of other players who are currently being attacked.
- Thanks to the “white ring,” you can automatically call players for help who have the blue ring equipped, in case you are attacked by so-called invaders.
- The “finger severer” allows you to kick summoned players out of your world.
As in co-op, your horse is not available in PvP. You should keep this in mind. However, you should not have to search forever for your opponents. According to the developers, interface elements will exist that should prevent you from having to play an extended game of hide and seek in the open world.
You can watch the gameplay from YouTuber Arekkz here:
Elden Ring – Crossplay only very limited
Is there a crossplay function? The action RPG currently offers only a very limited crossplay feature.
In a network test that took place in November 2021, there was no real crossplay. It was not possible, for example, for a PC player to play with friends on Xbox or PlayStation.
At least the beta of Elden Ring allowed PS4 and PS5 players to play together, and the same applies to Xbox Series and Xbox One players.
This isn’t surprising, as those platforms likely share the same servers.
What about the full version? It is still unclear whether there will be differences in this regard compared to the beta. FromSoftware has not really commented on this yet.
So, there is a tiny chance that the full version will deliver more extensive crossplay options. However, why this is unlikely has been summarized in our overview of the crossplay feature.
The combat system of Elden Ring
How does combat work? Anyone who has seen the gameplay and played earlier games from FromSoftware will likely notice the similarities. Overall, the combat in Elden Ring will again function based on the familiar concept:
- Dodge
- Block
- Parry
- Light and heavy attacks
New elements are stealth and jumping, adding several tricks to the combat system.
These weapons are available: The scenes shown so far displayed the already familiar selection of weapons:
- One-handed swords
- Two-handed swords
- Shields
- Magic
- Bows
- Dual weapons
- Spears
The previous Souls games offered a wide variety of weapons. It can be assumed that Elden Ring will offer something similar, if not even more extensive.
In Elden Ring, however, you will not only fight on foot but also from the back of your horse, which will provide additional options during combat. In addition, you can call NPCs for assistance in emergencies.
NPCs as helpers in Elden Ring
How does this work? This is only possible near small summoning statues, so there are some limitations. This is only possible near small summoning statues, so there are some limitations.
- The statue marks the beginning of an area where NPCs can be summoned.
- If you interact with the statue, a symbol will appear on the screen. This indicates that NPCs can be called.
- There are different NPCs, often enemies that you can defeat in the game world.
- These will then drop their ashes. With this item, you can summon the respective NPC types for assistance.
- The spirits disappear again when they are defeated, you die, or move too far away from the summoning area around the statue.
For example, you can summon a wolf pack as a ghost troop. These NPCs are a useful support in combat and can already help you as a distraction. Even if you are overwhelmed by hordes, they can save your life.
You can collect these helpers and even level them up, making them stronger alongside you. However, the classic NPCs are not eliminated by this new system.
As in Dark Souls, you can summon certain NPCs at specific locations. These are often characters you meet in the game world.
How was it previously? In previous games like Bloodborne or Dark Souls, you could summon phantoms of NPC characters at specific spots in the game that could help you in battle. They usually were located just before boss battles or at tricky spots and could serve as a kind of co-op replacement.
This principle is now expanded in Elden Ring.
How will that work? In Elden Ring, you can now also summon the ghosts of defeated enemies, who will then assist you against other opponents.
You are supposed to be able to command these undead. How exactly this will unfold is still unclear. Apparently, you can carry these undead as a sort of in-game item and summon them in emergencies.
Jumping and Stealth System aim to provide more freedom
This is new: To suit the open game world and give players more freedom, the developers have expanded the movement options.
As a result, players can now jump and stealth as desired. These are elements that were already used in Sekiro and are now combined with the more Dark Souls-like elements of Elden Ring.
This is how stealth works in Elden Ring: Miyazaki described the innovation as a simple system that provides numerous new options. Players can crouch, crawl, and perform assassination attacks on opponents.
As a result, you have the opportunity to stealthily eliminate entire groups or simply bypass certain opponents. You can also hide in tall grass and observe the surroundings. This allows you to plan your approach and scout the area.
Jumping can also provide new attack opportunities, especially in combat.
What changes because of that? Until now, there were only dodges in the active combat. In Sekiro, the jumping element, for example, allowed you to deliver blows while jumping or even dodge enemy attacks by jumping onto the opponent’s head.
Overall, in Elden Ring, you will have greater freedom of movement than before.
Character progression, known classes, freely selectable skills, crafting
What we know about character progression: Overall, character progression will work similarly to how it’s known from games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne. You will once again create your character with a comprehensive character editor, a preliminary version of which has already been revealed.
There will be a total of 10 different character classes, but they only serve as the foundation for your later progression.
These classes are currently known: From previous leaks and scenes, we already know five of the 10 starting classes. (via fextralife.com)
- Warrior
- Prophet
- Champion
- Enchanted Knight
- Bloody Wolf
You will gather experience points in some form (in Dark Souls it was Souls, in Bloodborne it was Blood Echoes), level up your attributes, and adapt your playstyle with appropriate equipment, spells, or skills.
This is new: In Elden Ring, you can now also unlock certain skills that can be re-assigned at any time. This allows for the use of certain combat styles that were previously determined by specific weapons in Dark Souls. According to Miyazaki, there are over 100 such skills in Elden Ring (via IGN.com).
The skills can be partially purchased from merchants but are mostly hidden in the game world of Elden Ring and need to be discovered.
There is also a kind of crafting system where players can create items at any time, provided they have the right materials.
What do you think about Elden Ring? Are you excited for the latest title from FromSoftware? What innovations would you like to see? Discuss with us in the comments.
By the way: On Steam, Elden Ring is now the most wished game. General anticipation is high.
