Elden Ring (PS4)

Elden Ring übertrifft alle Erwartungen, beseitigt alle Zweifel, die vorab aufgekommen sind, und überrascht so sehr, wie es noch nie ein Soulsborne-Ableger getan hat. Wer mit ein paar seltenen, sich wiederholenden Auftritten von manchen Gegnern und Bossen leben kann, bekommt hier das wohl umfangreichste und spannendste Spiel, das FromSoftware bisher entwickelt hat.

FromSoftware's latest RPG is a precarious balance of masochistic punishment and satisfaction, and thanks to new improvements and adjustments, it's the most accessible and user-friendly Souls-like on the market. But make no mistake, the Lands Between aren't for the faint of heart.

There are things it could still do better in terms of onboarding, and it could do even more on the front of quality-of-life enhancements for returning Souls players. But as an experience, it’s one of the most wondrous and open-ended games I’ve played in years. It has so much to say from a design perspective that people will be talking about its choices for years on end, and playing it for longer.

Elden Ring retains the heart of what makes FromSoft’s action RPGs so compelling, and takes things to a whole other level by pulling the best elements from their older games and improving upon them in this one.

Elden Ring is the game Souls fans have been waiting for. From the open world design, to riding into battle on Torrent's back, and the dark narrative woven through the world, this is a clear Game of the Year frontrunner that will have us all ensnared for a long time to come.

Elden Ring represents a truly amazing combination of various game elements that all come together to create something fascinating, special, and unforgettable. Elden Ring isn’t just the best game this year; it’s one of the best games ever made.