Elden Ring — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Elden Ring is an open-world souls-like from FromSoftware, released in February 2022 on PC, PS4/PS5, and Xbox One/Series. The player is the Tarnished, heir to the Elden Ring, who must gather the Great Runes and become the Elden Lord. The game was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with world-building contributions from George R.R. Martin.
What is the game about
The Lands Between have been shattered by the Shattering war. You explore a vast open world, fight bosses, and collect runes to level up. The story is told through the environment, item descriptions, and brief dialogues — a FromSoftware classic. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds a new continent and dozens of hours of content.
Gameplay
- Open world: explore in any order — from the swamps of Liurnia to hidden catacombs.
- Character builds: dozens of weapons, spells, and spirit ashes to customize your playstyle.
- Bosses: over 100 unique encounters, including legendary Malenia and Radahn.
- Co-op and PvP: summon allies or invade other players.
- NG+: after finishing, start a new cycle with kept progress.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Elden Ring is one of the greatest games of the decade, GOTY 2022. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC (2024) is one of the best expansions ever made. For souls-like newcomers, this is the most accessible entry point.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge world with secrets | Very high difficulty |
| Hundreds of hours of content | Hard to understand without guides |
| Multiple endings | Requires patience |
FAQ
Do I need to play Dark Souls first? No, Elden Ring is a standalone story.
How many hours? 40–60 hours, 80+ with the DLC.
Is there Russian voice acting? Text and subtitles in Russian, voice acting in English.