Elden Ring for Xbox Series X|S

A tour de force in the Soulsborne genre

Rise, Tarnished! These are the words that set off our thrilling adventure in Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s blockbuster action role-playing game (RPG). Travel through the Lands Between in a nerve-wrecking quest to become the new Elden Lord. This time, the developers behind Hidetaka Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece weren’t alone, they worked together with A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R Martin. After years of hype and the high standards set by games such as the Dark Souls series, Sekiro:Shadows Die Twice and the fantastic Bloodborne, Elden Ring has finally arrived to the Xbox Series X. Embracing the open-world genre alongside games that inspired it, such as The Legend of Zelda. Breath of the Wild or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Bandai Namco released the most ambitious formula ever seen in a Soulsborne game. Its result: a risky, hardcore, enthralling and amazing experience that deserved to be crowned as Game of the Year 2022. Welcome to Elden Ring.

Journey through the Lands Between and become the Elden Lord

In Elden Ring we’ll take the role of a Tarnished, an immortal traveler that has been exiled from Queen Marika’s domains after losing the blessing of the Erdtree. However, after the breaking of the Elden Ring, the Tarnished slowly return to the Lands Between answering the call of the Erdtree’s lost grace. Their mission is none other than to hunt and kill the evil demigods, shard bearers of the Ring, and unite its pieces to become the new Elden Lord. The journey will be full of danger, adventures, deaths and outbursts of rage. Completing Elden Ring won’t be the only arduous task… Like all Soulslike titles, understanding its story will be a challenge of its own.

Fantasy book aficionados are in for a treat since Elden Ring’s story is the fruit of a close collaboration with the acclaimed writer George R.R Martin. While the game’s overall theme certainly reminds us of Miyazaki’s previous works and characters (the Tarnished is basically the Ashen One from Dark Souls 3), Martin’s writing is easily recognizable through the deep story and lore scattered through the Lands Between. The game’s narrative, however, is anything but straightforward. With Elden Ring, FromSoftware stepped away from the easier storytelling that we experienced in Sekiro to immerse ourselves in a tale that, like a puzzle, we’ll have to solve by finding its pieces across its gargantuan map. 

An refreshing open-world without losing its challenging identity

Through the years,  FromSoftware hasn’t changed the formula of the Soulsborne series very much. With a less linear approach, more accessible narrative and the possibility to explore its scenery vertically, Sekiro was considered the boldest move ever made by Miyazaki’s team. However, despite the changes, the game felt and played exactly like the rest of the Soulslike games. Things have changed with Elden Ring though thanks to its daunting and gargantuan open-world. Inspired by Breath of the Wild, the Lands Between is a captivating yet savage playground where no one will hold your hand. Once the Tarnished completes the game’s tutorial and emerges from the initial underground area, you’ll be absolutely on your own.

While Elden Ring’s open-world completely revamps the challenging formula of FromSoft’s titles, it still holds some familiar features and faces from other titles (Patches, anyone?). Even if as a Tarnished you are maidenless, you’ll find a familiar face in Melina, your new companion that will serve you as a means to level up, just like the Doll did in Bloodborne. The same can be said of the Sites of Graces, your own oasis amongst the relentless challenges from Marika’s realm. These are basically the bonfires of the Dark Souls series and will let you heal, save, teleport and improve your character’s equipment. Don’t let these well-known features fool you because Elden Ring’s open-world completely changes the way you will approach FromSoftware's latest masterpiece.

The Lands Between offer an overwhelming freedom that few games manage to achieve. You won’t have markers on the map nor a missions tab to keep track of things. You will have to find and remember all your objectives if you want to uncover every secret within the game. From the very beginning you’ll be able to explore the whole map and go wherever you want, breaking the linear approach of the Souls games. It’s entirely up to you if you prefer exploring the map, completing side missions or simply going straight to fight the demigods. You’ll be able to choose your own adventure.

This freedom is precisely what makes Elden Ring the most approachable from the Miyazaki titles. In fact, for many people, this is the first Soulslike game they played or managed to complete. If a boss or area is too much for you, you can always turn back and level up your stats, get runes or simply search somewhere else in hopes of finding new weapons. You will still die a lot, have to learn from your mistakes and get frustrated… But if you hit a wall, you’ll have the opportunity to retreat and try your luck in a newer area. This makes the game much more enjoyable to newcomers who aren’t used to the hardcore challenges of this series. 

The open-world is not the only thing that’s new in Elden Ring. The game adds some interesting new features, like a horse companion to summon and ride throughout the whole map. This will make exploring a lot easier and adds the possibility to fight while mounting our steed. We’re also able to befriend and invoke spirits to aid us in battle. Each of these ethereal allies have their own unique powers, making them very useful to beat with ease certain bosses of the game. 

As you can see, there’s a lot of new and old gameplay features present in Elden Ring, making the game more accessible to broader audiences but keeping the challenging - and sometimes frustrating - gameplay that one can expect from a Miyazaki game.

Terrific visuals and art direction for an amazing adventure on Xbox Series X

Elden Ring  looks great on Microsoft’s next-gen console. Thanks to its open-world design, the game offers thousands of interesting locations and breathtaking views that will definitely make you stop from time to time to admire the wonders of the Lands Between. The game also has a day and night cycle that dramatically changes the environment, adding an extra layer of attractiveness to the game. However, while Elden Ring is a sight to behold, it’s undeniable that it looks a little bit dated compared to other Xbox Series X titles. The main culprit for this is its engine, which is the same one FromSoftware used in its last few games.

Perhaps the only criticism that could be leveled against Elden Ring is that the game stutters frequently. While the title offers a Performance (60 fps) and Quality (graphics over performance) mode, neither of them bring what their promise. No matter what options you choose, you’ll find constant frame rate issues when a large number of enemies appear on screen. We all know what that means in a FromSoftware game… that you’ll die more than you should. If you can overlook that aspect, the game is simply great.

How long is Elden Ring on Xbox Series X?

If you focus only on the main objectives, you’ll take an average of 58 hours to become the new Elden Lord. Like any other From Software game, beating Elden Ring and restoring the Golden Order is no easy feat. However, this changes if you strive to see every corner and discover all the secrets from the Lands Between. If you’re a completionist looking to 100% the game, you’ll have to spend around 133 hours playing the game. This is just an approximate number of hours though since it will depend on how good you are at the game.

Does Elden Ring have multiplayer?

Elden Ring has a very similar multiplayer system to other FromSoftware games. It works through summon signs that you’ll be able to leave and find on the ground after using a Furlcalling Finger Remedy. These signs will allow you or other players to be called to someone’s game, being able to explore areas or bosses together. However, these signs also work as a gate for other malicious players to invade your world.

Elden Ring: Tips for beginners

1. Choose a class you feel comfortable with
2. Find Melina to unlock the leveling up system
3. Backtrack often to spend your runes
4. If you struggle with a boss, look for a summoning sign
5. Upgrade your weapons regularly
6. Create your own quest log with markers
7. Rest at Sites of Graces to respawn materials and revive your horse
8. Buy a torch from Kalé as early as possible
9. Spirit ashes are very helpful allies
10. Don’t feel ashamed to retreat if you have to
11. If you hear “I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella ''... RUN AWAY!

An expansion that gives excitement

Elden Ring’s very first major expansion has made waves as fans of the franchise have been teased with a promotional photo as a peek into what this DLC will entail. Its concept art depicts a haunted plain from the Lands Between, surrounded by the remains of dead soldiers. A lone blond figure, heavily implied to be Miquella, can be seen riding across the bleak landscape toward a dying Erdtree. 

Of the numerous Empyreans and demigods belonging to the messy family tree at the center of the game’s drama, only Miquella of the Haligtree cannot be met by the player character in the main game. Miquella is most well-known by players as the elder twin brother of Malenia, Blade of Miquella—the most challenging but optional endgame boss. You can encounter her at the bottom of Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. Miquella is also connected to Mohg, Lord of Blood—another optional boss you can fight at Mohgwyn Palace. 

While there is no extensive information available regarding what sorts of opponents players will be able to go up against in this DLC, players can expect even more challenging boss fights and a deeper look into the game’s rich lore. This is to be expected given FromSoftware’s stellar reputation for providing impressive add-on content to their games. According to rumors, it’s possible that the DLC will receive a spotlight at The Game Awards, with the announcement of its potential February 5, 2024 release date.

A fantasy epic that redefines the open-world genre

Elden Ring is a true fantasy epic that all owners of an Xbox Series X should experience at least once. The game takes the Soulsborne formula to the next level thanks to the inclusion of a vast, dangerous and beautiful open world that offers you a challenging yet more approachable experience. Its gorgeous visuals and top notch art design offer a journey filled with challenges, glory and mysteries that certainly redefine the genre. A true masterpiece.