Elden Ring - What We Know So Far

So far, "Elden Ring" seems like the dream game for "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne" fans who are hunting for a new bloodcurdling challenge. The upcoming FromSoftware title has been on fans' minds since its announcement at E3 2019. Any game directed by "Dark Souls" mastermind Hidetaka Miyazaki would be enough to appeal to general gaming audiences. However, the fact that "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin would also be involved only elevated the hype even further. 

After two years of silence, fans were beginning to wonder if "Elden Ring" would see a release in the near future. The internet seemed to collectively cheer as the Summer Game Fest Kickoff livestream finally fulfilled fans' wishes for an update on FromSoftware's next dark fantasy masterpiece. 

"Elden Ring" might still be a bit of a wait away, but thanks to Summer Game Fest, fans have received a much-appreciated update that confirmed the game still exists and it's looking good. Here's what we know so far about "Elden Ring."

Many have tried to predict the release date for "Elden Ring" and failed.

FromSoftware fans have waited through gaming industry events for what feels like an eternity, all without any updates. The internet threw a fit after Sony's 2021 State of Play ended without any "Elder Ring" to be seen. Some started to doubt that the game was even real. Fans worried that "Elden Ring" might've been fallen off the face of the earth, spurring them to scour the website for even the smallest of updates.

Thankfully, "Elden Ring" now has an official release date set. The game will be making its bloody debut on January 21, 2022, even if people have already started joking about devs pushing the date back. "Elden Ring" will be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Those who have older consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One will reportedly be able to upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions for free. 

The "Elden Ring" trailer sells the new game's story with plenty of clever and cryptic narration. Battles with gargantuan bosses, ranging from more traditional dragons to horrifying hand spiders, have confirmed fan suspicions that "Elden Ring" would incorporate gameplay similar to FromSoftware's signature style. Meanwhile, references to the "Tarnished" and a broken "Golden Order" seem to hint at a protagonist similar to the "Ashen One" from "Dark Souls III," as well as a possible organized army that the player must face. 

Settings glimpsed in the trailer include steep mountains, boundless plains, and medieval castles to traverse throughout the game. The trailer's bonfire scene, a staple in "Dark Souls," has given fans plenty of reason to believe that this will be a classic FromSoftware experience through and through.

But of course, this isn't the only look fans have gotten at the game. FromSoftware dropped the first "Elden Ring" trailer at E3 2019. That trailer also flaunted highly detailed cinematic cutscenes paired with throaty, suspenseful voiceover of a legendary tale about to unfold. "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne" fans were understandably psyched, but George R. R. Martin's involvement also turned heads, even for non-gaming audiences.

"Elden Ring" seems to draw inspiration from "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne" in terms of visuals and overall vibe. The world, which was built in tandem with George R. R. Martin, bears a certain bloodstained charm. 

While details are still a bit scarce, Bandai Namco has announced a number of the game's features, including character customization involving a variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills that players can pick up as they progress. Depending on where the player goes as they explore, they can unlock different kinds of perks that might not be available elsewhere in the game. Players can also choose to face foes in different ways, like fighting head-on or sneaking around using stealth.

Players apparently have the power to "choose the fate" of the world, implying that the choices the player makes throughout the game and the information they find could possibly lead to different outcomes. Single and multiplayer modes are available, though it hasn't been revealed exactly how co-op will work. All in all, it's looking like "Elden Ring" will be well worth the wait.