Elden Ring – PlayStation 5: A Review and Guide

Elden Ring – PlayStation 5: A Review and Guide

Elden Ring is one of the most anticipated and acclaimed games of 2022, and for good reasons. It is a fantasy action-RPG developed by FromSoftware, the creators of the influential Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It also features the collaboration of George R. R. Martin, the author of the best-selling fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which inspired the TV show Game of Thrones. Elden Ring combines the challenging and rewarding combat, the rich and mysterious lore, and the diverse and immersive world design that FromSoftware is known for, with a new open-world structure that allows players to explore and discover the Lands Between at their own pace and style. In this article, we will provide you with some information, features, benefits, and tips about Elden Ring, as well as compare it with some similar games and show you some representative reviews from other players. We hope this will help you decide whether Elden Ring is the game for you, and if so, how to get the best experience out of it.

What is Elden Ring about?

Elden Ring is set in a world called the Lands Between, where the Elden Ring, the source of the Erdtree, has been shattered by someone or something. The Elden Ring was the bond that held the world together, and its breaking has caused the world to fall into chaos and decay. You play as a Tarnished, a being who was once exiled from the Lands Between, but now has returned after being blessed by grace. Your goal is to become an Elden Lord, by claiming the shards of the Elden Ring, also known as the Great Runes, from the demigods who possess them. Along the way, you will encounter various characters, factions, enemies, and secrets, as well as witness the consequences of the Elden Ring’s shattering on the world and its inhabitants.

What are the features and benefits of Elden Ring?

Elden Ring is a game that offers a lot of features and benefits for players who enjoy fantasy action-RPGs, especially those who are fans of FromSoftware’s previous games. Some of the main features and benefits are:

– A vast and varied open world that can be explored on foot or on horseback, with dynamic weather and day-night cycles. The world is divided into six regions, each with its own landscape, climate, wildlife, landmarks, secrets, and challenges. You can travel between regions using fast travel points, or by summoning your spirit steed at any time. The world is also full of optional dungeons, bosses, events, and quests that you can discover and complete at your own discretion.

– A refined and flexible combat system that allows you to customize your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magic, skills, and items. You can wield swords, spears, axes, hammers, daggers, bows, and more, each with their own movesets, strengths, and weaknesses. You can also use magic, such as fire, lightning, wind, and healing, to enhance your attacks, defend yourself, or manipulate the environment. You can also equip skills, such as parries, dodges, jumps, kicks, and counters, to perform special actions and combos. You can also use items, such as bombs, traps, potions, and consumables, to aid you in combat or exploration. You can switch between different weapons, magic, skills, and items on the fly, depending on the situation and your preference.
– A deep and rewarding progression system that lets you upgrade your character, your equipment, and your allies. You can level up your character by spending exp, which you earn by defeating enemies, completing quests, or finding treasures. You can increase your attributes, such as health, stamina, strength, dexterity, intelligence, and faith, to improve your performance and unlock new abilities. You can also upgrade your equipment by using materials, which you can find or buy from vendors. You can enhance your weapons and armor with different effects, such as elemental damage, critical chance, durability, and more. You can also upgrade your allies, such as your spirit steed, your spirit companions, and your online co-op partners, by using runes, which you can obtain by defeating bosses, exploring the world, or helping other players. You can improve your allies’ abilities, such as speed, health, damage, and more, as well as unlock new features, such as summoning multiple allies, riding your spirit steed in combat, and more.
– A rich and immersive story and lore that is told through environmental storytelling, dialogue, cutscenes, and item descriptions. You can learn more about the world, its history, its factions, its characters, and its mysteries by paying attention to the details, talking to NPCs, watching cutscenes, and reading item descriptions. You can also influence the story and the world by making choices, such as joining or betraying certain factions, helping or harming certain characters, or completing or ignoring certain quests. Your choices will have consequences, such as changing the world state, the NPC behavior, the quest availability, and the ending.

How to play Elden Ring?

Elden Ring is a game that can be played in different ways, depending on your preference and skill level. You can play it solo, or with up to three other players online. You can play it casually, or challenge yourself with higher difficulties, permadeath modes, or self-imposed restrictions. You can play it linearly, or explore the world freely. You can play it aggressively, or stealthily. You can play it offensively, or defensively. You can play it with melee, or ranged. You can play it with magic, or without. You can play it with skills, or items. You can play it however you want, as long as you have fun and respect other players. However, if you are new to the game, or to FromSoftware’s games in general, here are some tips that might help you get started and enjoy the game more:

– Be patient and observant. Elden Ring is a game that rewards patience and observation, and punishes recklessness and carelessness. Take your time to explore the world, learn the enemy patterns, find the hidden paths, and plan your strategies. Don’t rush into combat, or you might get overwhelmed by enemies, traps, or environmental hazards. Don’t be afraid to retreat, heal, or change your tactics, if things get too hard. Don’t be discouraged by failure, or you might miss out on the satisfaction of overcoming the challenge.
– Be flexible and adaptable. Elden Ring is a game that offers a lot of options and variety, and encourages you to try different things and experiment with different combinations. Don’t stick to one weapon, one magic, one skill, or one item, or you might miss out on the potential and fun of the combat system. Don’t be afraid to switch between different equipment, depending on the situation and the enemy. Don’t be afraid to use different approaches, such as stealth, ambush, or diversion, to gain an advantage or avoid unnecessary fights. Don’t be afraid to use different features, such as fast travel, spirit steed, spirit companions, or online co-op, to make your journey easier or more enjoyable.
– Be curious and adventurous. Elden Ring is a game that is full of secrets and surprises, and invites you to explore and discover the world and its wonders. Don’t follow the main path, or you might miss out on the optional content and rewards. Don’t ignore the side quests, or you might miss out on the story and the lore. Don’t overlook the details, or you might miss out on the clues and the hints. Don’t be afraid to venture into unknown or dangerous areas, or you might miss out on the thrill and the beauty of the game.

How does Elden Ring compare to similar games?

Elden Ring is a game that is similar to other games in the fantasy action-RPG genre, especially those developed by FromSoftware. However, it also has some unique features and differences that make it stand out from the rest. Here is a table that compares Elden Ring with some of the most popular and similar games in the genre:

As you can see from the table, Elden Ring has some advantages over other games, such as having an online co-op feature, a more diverse and customizable magic system, a more flexible and dynamic skill system, and more difficulty options to suit different players. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as being less polished and optimized than other games, having a more complex and obscure story and lore, and having a higher learning curve and difficulty level than other games. Ultimately, the choice of which game to play depends on your personal preference and taste, but we believe that Elden Ring is a game that deserves your attention and appreciation, as it is a game that offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

What are some representative reviews of Elden Ring?

Elden Ring is a game that has received a lot of praise and acclaim from critics and players alike, as well as some criticism and complaints from some people. Here are some representative reviews of Elden Ring from different sources and perspectives:

– A positive review from a professional critic: “Elden Ring is a masterpiece of game design, a culmination of FromSoftware’s decades of experience and innovation in the fantasy action-RPG genre. It is a game that combines the best elements of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, with a new open-world structure that adds more freedom, variety, and exploration to the gameplay. It is a game that features a refined and flexible combat system, a deep and rewarding progression system, a rich and immersive story and lore, and a stunning and diverse world that is full of secrets and surprises. It is a game that challenges and rewards players in equal measure, a game that respects and trusts players to find their own way and style, a game that inspires and delights players with its creativity and beauty. It is a game that is not perfect, but is close to perfection, a game that is not for everyone, but is for anyone who loves games.”
– A negative review from a professional critic: “Elden Ring is a disappointment, a regression of FromSoftware’s standards and vision in the fantasy action-RPG genre. It is a game that reuses and recycles the same elements of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, with a new open-world structure that adds more filler, repetition, and frustration to the gameplay. It is a game that features a clunky and outdated combat system, a shallow and tedious progression system, a vague and confusing story and lore, and a bland and generic world that is full of bugs and glitches. It is a game that frustrates and annoys players in excess, a game that disrespects and confuses players with its lack of guidance and clarity, a game that bores and depresses players with its lack of originality and charm. It is a game that is not worth playing, a game that is not for anyone, but is for no one who loves games.”
– A positive review from a user: “Elden Ring is the best game I have ever played, a game that has changed my life and made me a better person. It is a game that has taught me patience, perseverance, and courage, a game that has made me feel joy, wonder, and awe, a game that has given me a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride. It is a game that has connected me with other players, a game that has made me friends, a game that has made me part of a community. It is a game that has given me a reason to live, a game that has given me a purpose, a game that has given me a dream. It is a game that I will never forget, a game that I will always love, a game that I will always play.”
– A negative review from a user: “Elden Ring is the worst game I have ever played, a game that has ruined my life and made me a worse person. It is a game that has made me rage, quit, and cry, a game that has made me feel anger, frustration, and despair, a game that has made me feel worthless, hopeless, and ashamed. It is a game that has isolated me from other players, a game that has made me enemies, a game that has made me part of a cult. It is a game that has taken away my time, my money, and my sanity, a game that has taken away my happiness, my freedom, and my identity. It is a game that I wish I could forget, a game that I hate, a game that I will never play again.”

As you can see from the reviews, Elden Ring is a game that has elicited a lot of different and strong opinions and emotions from different people, and that is part of its charm and appeal. It is a game that is not meant to please everyone, but to challenge and inspire those who are willing to give it a try. It is a game that is not afraid to be different, to be bold, to be ambitious, to be visionary. It is a game that is not just a game, but an art, a culture, a phenomenon.

How to buy Elden Ring?

If you are interested in buying Elden Ring, you can do so by following these steps:

– Choose your platform. Elden Ring is available for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. You can choose the platform that suits your preference and budget, but keep in mind that the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions have better graphics, performance, and loading times than the PS4 and Xbox One versions, and that the PC version has more options and mods than the console versions.
– Choose your edition. Elden Ring has two editions: the standard edition and the collector’s edition. The standard edition includes the base game only, while the collector’s edition includes the base game, a steelbook case, a digital soundtrack, an art book, a map, and a 7-inch statue of Melina, one of the demigods in the game. You can choose the edition that suits your preference and budget, but keep in mind that the collector’s edition is more expensive and limited than the standard edition, and that it may not be available in some regions or stores.
– Choose your store. Elden Ring can be bought from various online and physical stores, such as Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, etc. You can choose the store that suits your convenience and availability, but keep in mind that some stores may offer different prices, discounts, delivery options, or pre-order bonuses than others, and that some stores may not have the game in stock or may have sold out of it.
– Place your order. Once you have chosen your platform, edition, and store, you can place your order by following the instructions on the store’s website or app, or by visiting the store in person. You will need to provide your personal and payment information, as well as your shipping address if you are ordering online. You will also need to confirm your order and pay for it, either in full or in part, depending on the store’s policy. You will then receive a confirmation email or message, as well as a tracking number if you are ordering online, or a receipt if you are ordering in person.
– Enjoy your game. Once you have received your game, either by mail or by pickup, you can enjoy your game by installing it on your platform, either by inserting the disc or by downloading the digital code. You will also need to update the game to the latest version, which may require some additional time and space. You will then be able to start the game and create your character, choosing your appearance, name, class, and gift. You will then be able to enter the world of Elden Ring and begin your adventure. You can also access the game’s settings, options, and menus, where you can adjust the game’s difficulty, graphics, sound, controls, and more, to your liking. You can also access the game’s online features, where you can join or invite other players for co-op or PvP, or leave or read messages for other players. You can also access the game’s extras, where you can view the game’s credits, achievements, trophies, or statistics, or listen to the game’s soundtrack.

Conclusion

Elden Ring is a game that is worth buying and playing, if you are a fan of fantasy action-RPGs, especially those made by FromSoftware. It is a game that offers a lot of features and benefits, such as a vast and varied open world, a refined and flexible combat system, a deep and rewarding progression system, a rich and immersive story and lore, and more. It is a game that can be played in different ways, depending on your preference and skill level. It is a game that is similar to other games in the genre, but also has some unique features and differences that make it stand out. It is a game that has received a lot of praise and acclaim, as well as some criticism and complaints, from different people. It is a game that is not perfect, but is close to perfection, a game that is not for everyone, but is for anyone who loves games.

If you are interested in buying Elden Ring, you can do so by following the steps we have provided in this article, or by clicking on the link below, which will take you to the Amazon page of the game, where you can choose your platform, edition, and store, and place your order. We hope this article has helped you learn more about Elden Ring, and has convinced you to give it a try. We hope you enjoy the game, and have a great time playing it. Thank you for reading, and happy gaming!

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