Quick Answer: Elden Ring is an open-world action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco. It released on February 25, 2022, on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding co-written by George R.R. Martin. The DLC Shadow of the Erdtree released on June 21, 2024. As of 2026, Elden Ring remains one of the highest-rated games of the decade with active multiplayer and a live A24 film adaptation in pre-production.
Elden Ring at a Glance
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Director: Hidetaka Miyazaki
- Worldbuilding: Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin
- Genre: Action role-playing game (open world, Souls-like)
- Engine: Modified FromSoftware engine
- Release: February 25, 2022
- DLC: Shadow of the Erdtree — released June 21, 2024
- Platforms: Windows (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Average Playtime: 80-120 hours (base + DLC)
- Multiplayer: Co-op and PvP, active in 2026
- Film Adaptation: A24, directed by Alex Garland — in pre-production
What Is Elden Ring?
Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s first true open-world game, expanding on the studio’s signature Souls-like formula. Players take on the role of a Tarnished — an exile returned to the Lands Between to reclaim the shattered Elden Ring and become Elden Lord. The game combines challenging combat with vast exploration across six major regions plus several hidden areas.
What sets Elden Ring apart from previous FromSoftware games is its open world design. Players can tackle objectives in nearly any order, customize their character through dozens of weapon classes and hundreds of spells, and discover content through environmental storytelling rather than scripted quests.
The Lands Between — Major Regions
- Limgrave: Starting region. Home of Stormveil Castle and Godrick the Grafted;
- Liurnia of the Lakes: Mid-game region. Raya Lucaria Academy and Rennala wait here;
- Caelid: The Scarlet Rot-infested wasteland. Home of Starscourge Radahn;
- Altus Plateau: Open meadows leading to Leyndell, Royal Capital;
- Mountaintops of the Giants: Snowy endgame region with the Fire Giant;
- Crumbling Farum Azula: Ancient ruined city in the sky, home of Maliketh;
- Subterranean regions: Siofra River, Ainsel River, Mohgwyn Palace;
- Land of Shadow (DLC): The hidden realm introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree.
The Six Endings of Elden Ring
Elden Ring offers six possible endings depending on player choices and questline completions:
- Age of Fracture — default ending, repairing the Elden Ring;
- Age of the Duskborn — Fia’s questline;
- Age of Order — Goldmask’s questline;
- Age of Stars — Ranni’s questline;
- Lord of Frenzied Flame — Three Fingers questline (locks other endings);
- Blessing of Despair — Dung Eater’s questline.
See our full endings guide for prerequisites.
The Major Demigod Bosses
Defeating these demigods grants Great Runes — the central progression of the game:
- Godrick the Grafted — Stormveil Castle;
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon — Raya Lucaria;
- Starscourge Radahn — Caelid (the Festival);
- Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy — Volcano Manor;
- Morgott, the Omen King — Leyndell, Royal Capital;
- Mohg, Lord of Blood — Mohgwyn Palace;
- Malenia, Blade of Miquella — Elphael (optional, hardest boss);
- Godfrey, First Elden Lord — Erdtree Sanctuary;
- Radagon and Elden Beast — final boss.
Shadow of the Erdtree (DLC, 2024)
Shadow of the Erdtree is the only DLC expansion for Elden Ring. It released on June 21, 2024 and introduced:
- A new region — the Land of Shadow — comparable in size to the base game’s largest regions;
- Eight new weapon classes including Light Greatswords, Throwing Blades, Beast Claws, and Backhand Blades;
- Approximately 100 new weapons, 30+ new spells, 50+ new armor sets;
- 10 new boss fights including Messmer the Impaler and Promised Consort Radahn (final DLC boss);
- A new progression system using Scadutree Blessings — leveling within the DLC separate from base game stats;
- New NPC questlines tied to Miquella and the Shadow Lands.
The Elden Ring Movie
A live-action Elden Ring film is in pre-production at A24, with Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Civil War) directing. As of mid-2026, no release date has been confirmed. The realistic release window is 2027-2028.
For more details see our coverage:
- Elden Ring Movie: Release Date and Director
- Latest Movie News and Updates
- Why the Movie Won’t Release in 2026
Where to Start (for New Players)
- Read our Beginner’s Guide;
- Pick a class — see Best Starting Class;
- Learn rune farming — see Rune Farming Guide;
- Choose a starting build — see Best Beginner Build;
- Get summons going — see Best Spirit Ashes for Beginners.
Where to Start (for Returning Players)
If you played Elden Ring at launch and want to return in 2026:
- Read How to Play Elden Ring in 2026;
- Check the new meta — see Best Ashes of War Tier List;
- Review weapon changes — see Weapon Scaling Explained;
- Enter the DLC — defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood and travel via Mohgwyn Palace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elden Ring?
Elden Ring is a 2022 open-world action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding by George R.R. Martin.
When was Elden Ring released?
The base game released on February 25, 2022. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC released on June 21, 2024.
What platforms can I play Elden Ring on?
PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
How long does Elden Ring take to beat?
The main story takes approximately 60-80 hours. Completionist runs with the DLC take 120-200+ hours.
Is the Elden Ring DLC worth it?
Yes. Shadow of the Erdtree is approximately 40 hours of new content and considered essential to the modern Elden Ring experience.
Is Elden Ring multiplayer?
Yes. Elden Ring supports both cooperative play (up to 4 players) and PvP invasions. See our multiplayer guide.
What is the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
Malenia, Blade of Miquella is widely considered the hardest boss in the base game. In the DLC, Promised Consort Radahn is considered hardest. See our Malenia guide.
Is there an Elden Ring movie?
Yes, a live-action film adaptation is in pre-production at A24, directed by Alex Garland. No release date has been confirmed.
Is Elden Ring still worth playing in 2026?
Yes. The combined base game and DLC remain among the best RPG experiences available. See our 2026 guide.
Comprehensive Guide Directory
Browse our full content library by category:
- Beginner Guides: Starting class, stats, rune farming, world map;
- Boss Strategies: Every major demigod and optional boss;
- Builds: Strength, Dex, Faith, Intelligence, Bleed, Arcane, Quality;
- DLC Builds: Updated for Shadow of the Erdtree;
- Weapon Guides: Tier lists for every weapon class;
- NPC Questlines: Ranni, Blaidd, Fia, Goldmask, and more;
- Wiki Reference: Weapons, armor, spells, talismans, consumables;
- Movie Coverage: Live updates on the A24 film.