📖 Read more: Mario Kart World: Everything You Need to Know
What Is Elden Ring?
Elden Ring was released on February 25, 2022 by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and Yui Tanimura, with worldbuilding by George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire), Elden Ring combined the punishing Soulslike combat with a massive open world — the Lands Between — creating a game that redefined what was possible in gaming.
The world features 6 main regions, each with its own demigod boss, unique aesthetic, and hidden secrets. The freedom given to the player is unprecedented for a Soulslike: you can go almost anywhere from the start, skip bosses that are too difficult, and return later when you're stronger.
Key Details
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Directors: Hidetaka Miyazaki, Yui Tanimura
- Worldbuilding: George R.R. Martin
- Original Release: February 25, 2022
- Switch 2 Release: 2026 (Tarnished Edition)
- Includes: Base game + Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Genre: Open-world action RPG, Soulslike
Awards and Recognition
Elden Ring isn't just an excellent game — it's the most-awarded Game of the Year in history. It won GOTY at The Game Awards 2022, DICE Awards, GDC Awards, Golden Joystick Awards, and dozens of other ceremonies. No game has ever swept as many GOTY awards in a single year.
On Metacritic, the scores speak for themselves: 94 on PC, 96 on PS5, 96 on Xbox. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC also earned a Metacritic score of 94, proving that FromSoftware doesn't rest on its laurels. Elden Ring also received the Nebula Award for Best Game Writing — recognition from the literary world.
Elden Ring by the Numbers
Gameplay: The Perfect Soulslike Formula
Elden Ring blends the punishing but fair combat of Dark Souls with open-world freedom. Exploration takes place atop Torrent, the player's faithful spectral steed, while Spirit Summons add another layer of strategy to encounters.
Soulslike Combat
Challenging, methodical combat with dozens of build options. Melee, magic, ranged — every playstyle is viable.
Torrent (Horseback)
Exploration and combat on a spectral steed. Traverse the massive world without relying on fast travel.
Spirit Summons
AI companions that assist in boss fights. Over 60 available spirits with unique abilities.
Open World
6 main regions in the Lands Between. Free exploration, hidden dungeons, optional bosses.
The stealth mechanic allows for a careful approach to enemies, while Ashes of War customize weapon arts for every armament. Build variety is enormous — from strength-based knights to intelligence casters and dexterity/arcane hybrid builds.
Tarnished Edition: What's Included
The Tarnished Edition for Switch 2 includes the complete base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC — essentially the entire Elden Ring experience in one package. Originally scheduled for the Switch 2 launch window, the release was delayed to later in 2026.
Shadow of the Erdtree — which earned a Metacritic 94 and surpassed 10 million copies sold — adds a massive new region, new weapons, new sorceries, and some of the most challenging boss fights FromSoftware has ever created. Its inclusion in the Tarnished Edition means Switch 2 players get hundreds of hours of content.
Base Game vs DLC
The Significance of Portable Play
Bringing Elden Ring to Switch 2 is far more than a simple port. It signals that Nintendo's new console can run full current-gen AAA titles — something the original Switch could never achieve. If FromSoftware manages to deliver the entire Lands Between in portable form without major compromises, it will reshape the conversation about what a handheld device can do.
Imagine playing Elden Ring on a train, on a plane, or on the couch without monopolizing the TV. That's the promise of the Tarnished Edition — the exact same experience that won GOTY at every ceremony, but in the palm of your hand.
Elden Ring: Beyond Gaming
Elden Ring's influence extends far beyond gaming. In May 2025, A24 announced an Elden Ring movie directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Civil War). Meanwhile, FromSoftware developed Elden Ring Nightreign — a standalone multiplayer spinoff released in 2025.
The Miyazaki-Martin collaboration created a universe so rich that it deserves exploration across multiple media. The Nebula Award for Best Game Writing — an honor typically reserved for literature and science fiction — proves that Elden Ring's storytelling is recognized even outside the gaming community.
Why It Matters on Switch 2
If you haven't played Elden Ring yet, the Tarnished Edition is the perfect way to start — complete game, complete DLC, portable freedom. If you've already played it, the ability to explore the Lands Between anywhere, anytime makes the portable experience worth it on its own.
With 30+ million copies sold, a Metacritic score of 96, and the title of the most-awarded GOTY in history, Elden Ring is undeniably one of the greatest games ever made. Its arrival on Switch 2 is confirmed — the only question is whether Nintendo's console can do it justice.