Elden Ring Review: The Lands Between Await You
Elden Ring is a landmark action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on February 25, 2022, it blends the studio's signature challenging combat with a vast open world co-created by George R. R. Martin. The result is a game that has captivated millions of players, including a strong Canadian fan base. Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC, Elden Ring remains an essential experience for anyone who loves deep role-playing and high-stakes combat.
Story and Worldbuilding
The story of Elden Ring is shrouded in fragmented lore. The player is a Tarnished, exiled from the Lands Between, who must return to become Elden Lord. The Golden Order has shattered, and the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes, are held by demigods who have fallen into madness or despair. Your mission is to defeat these demigods, claim their Great Runes and repair the Elden Ring in the heart of the Erdtree.
FromSoftware tells its story through environmental detail, item descriptions and sparse but impactful dialogue. There is no cutscene-heavy introduction; you are thrown into a dying world and forced to piece together what happened. This approach can feel intimidating at first, but it rewards careful observation. Every statue, ruin and ghostly figure has meaning. The writing from George R. R. Martin gave the setting a mythological backbone, while FromSoftware's designers translated that into a world that feels ancient and alive.
The narrative also includes multiple endings. The choices you make and the NPCs you help or ignore determine which ending you unlock. This creates a sense of agency uncommon in big-budget titles. Players can spend over a hundred hours exploring and still find new dialogue or hidden areas. The lore of the game is deep enough for endless discussion in fan communities and online guides.
Gameplay and Combat
Combat in Elden Ring takes the mechanics of Dark Souls and adds a huge variety of options. Weapons range from straight swords and greatswords to katanas, hammers and even whips. Magic and faith-based incantations allow for entirely different playstyles. Ashes of War let you customise your weapon skills, adding another layer of build diversity. The freedom to respec your character after certain milestones also encourages experimentation.
The open world dramatically changes how you approach encounters. If a boss is too difficult, you can ride away on Torrent, your spectral steed, and explore other dungeons to gain levels and better gear. This flexibility reduces frustration while preserving challenge. Most obstacles can be overcome by preparation, strategy and patience rather than pure mechanical skill.
Boss fights are the heart of the experience. Each major boss has a unique moveset, and learning the tells is rewarding. The game gives you tools such as summons, spirit ashes and consumables to tilt the odds in your favour. The difficulty spikes are notable, but they are rarely unfair. With the right preparation, even the hardest foes fall.
World and Atmosphere
The Lands Between is a sprawling realm divided into several distinct regions. Limgrave is a lush starting area, Caelid is a rotting nightmare filled with scarlet corruption, and Liurnia of the Lakes offers misty waterways and massive crystals. Each region has its own palette, weather and enemy types. The sense of scale is staggering; you can see distant castles and wonder about what lies inside, and eventually you will go there.
Exploration is constantly rewarded. A small cave might contain a powerful talisman, a hidden catacomb might conceal a rare spirit ash, and a ruined fortress might hold a legendary weapon. The map encourages care and curiosity rather than checklist-driven completion. Fast travel is available, but you often want to walk just to see what lies beyond the next hill.
The atmosphere is sombre and mysterious. Music is sparse, which only makes the moments when it appears more memorable. Environmental audio, such as wind through canyon walls or the distant clang of a bell, builds tension. The art direction blends dark fantasy with surreal elements, creating a world that feels both familiar and alien.
Key Features and Systems
- Massive open world with six major regions and countless dungeons
- More than 100 weapons, weapon arts and spell options
- Spirit summons that act as companions during combat
- Multiplayer for co-operative play or PvP invasions
- Day and night cycle that alters enemy behaviour
- Respec system allowing complete build redesign
- New Game Plus to carry over character progression
The online component allows you to summon friends for co-op or face invaders looking to disrupt your progress. The community remains active in 2025, and many players still offer help outside difficult boss arenas. There is also an extensive messaging system where players can leave hints, warnings or jokes for others, which became a hallmark of FromSoftware games.
Platform Availability and Pricing
Elden Ring is widely available in Canada on all major platforms. The standard edition costs about CAD 89.99 on consoles and CAD 79.99 on PC at full retail price. Sales frequently lower the price, especially on Steam or during PlayStation and Xbox store promotions. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, released in June 2024, adds even more content for those who want to continue the journey.
Retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart and GameStop carry physical copies. Digital versions are available through the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Steam. The performance varies by hardware, with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X offering a stable 60 FPS mode, while the older consoles run at lower frame rates and resolutions.
Age Rating
Elden Ring is rated Mature for ages 17 and up by the ESRB. The rating reflects intense violence, blood and gore, and some suggestive themes. The game contains brutal combat and graphic death animations, but it does not depict gambling or betting elements. Parents should consider the dark fantasy nature of the game before letting younger teens play.
Final Verdict
Elden Ring is a masterpiece that redefined what an open-world action RPG can be. It respects player intelligence, rewards exploration and offers a challenge that feels meaningful rather than cheap. For Canadian gamers in search of an unforgettable adventure, this is one of the best purchases you can make. The sheer density of content guarantees dozens of hours, or even hundreds if you want to see everything.
The integration of lore, gameplay and world design sets a new standard. No other game in recent memory has captured the same feeling of dread and wonder. Whether you fought alone or summoned a friend, every playthrough feels unique. Elden Ring is not just a game; it is an event in the history of the medium.
Summary
| Aspect | Score / Rating |
|---|---|
| Story / Lore | 9.6 / 10 |
| Combat | 9.7 / 10 |
| World Design | 10 / 10 |
| Replay Value | 9.5 / 10 |
| Overall Score | 9.7 / 10 |
Rating: Mature (ESRB) | Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC | Price: from CAD 79.99 | Genre: Action RPG