Elden Ring is one of the best games ever made by FromSoftware. From 2022 until today, many gamers have not played this game because they think it is too difficult to beat, which I agree with. However, as you continue farther into the game, you will improve. If you haven't played this game yet, I strongly advise you to do so.
This game's overall gaming experience is incredibly satisfying, and you will spend more than 50 hours exploring the vast world and experience the joy of discovering unknown dungeons and places! The high sense of accomplishment when beating the difficult bosses, plus the bragging rights of becoming a great gamer, are the perks you'll get by beating the game.
PS4, PS5 or PC Version?
Now you're ready to give it a shot! But which version of Elden Ring will you grab? Is it the PS version (PS4, PS5) or the PC version of Elden Ring? Each platform has pros and cons, which we will cover later in this article.
Because this game is accessible on PS4, PS5, and PC, I prepared a comparison when playing it on different platforms. But first, let us address some of these questions.
Who is FromSoftware?
They are a Japanese video game developer and publishing business known for generating games with a high level of difficulty, such as Dark Souls (1-3) and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In 2023, their latest game was a blockbuster, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. This game focuses on Mech combat, but the excitement and thrill of facing difficult bosses is still here!
What exactly is the Elden Ring?
This is a new fantasy action RPG that was launched in 2022. The game's plot occurs in the Lands Between, a dark fantasy world where the Elden Ring has been shattered. Gamers traverse this immense universe, overcoming the overwhelming threats of enemies, encountering numerous random bosses, and exploring huge dungeons. The play style is like a Dark Souls game combined with the skills of Sekiro because of added skills like running faster, riding a horse, and jumping. Gamers claim that Elden Ring is similar to the well-known Nintendo Switch exclusive, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, because it has a wider world to explore.
The ability to customize the appearance of your character is a nice feature of this game. Elden Ring provides plenty of possibilities for the main character's general appearance, allowing you to create your own character designs based on your preferences.
Elden Ring in a nutshell (Table)
For more info, visit the Elden Ring's official website.
So, let us now compare these three versions and decide which one is better!
Physical Disc
There are clear winners in this one. The PS4 and PS5 manufacture physical games, but the PC is geared to only digital downloads. Game disc owners and SoulsBorne genre fans are likelier to obtain and collect these games.
Do you want to know if you're on a physical or digital team? Here is an article about the subject.
In my case, I purchased a used PS4 game in Facebook Marketplace, and the good thing is that Elden Ring offers a free PS5 upgrade! I now have my physical disc and can play this game at 60 frames per second, which is fantastic!
Winners: PS4 and PS5
Load Times - which one loads faster?
Because the PS5 version is equipped with superior hardware compared to the PS4, it unquestionably has faster load times. For PC users, it depends on the hardware configuration of the gaming computer.
Video Source: Game8 Global Walkthroughs
Winners: PS5 and PC
DLC / Story / Gameplay
They are identical across all platforms. The DLC is currently in development and will be accessible on all platforms. The DLC is available for an extra cost.
Video Source: Bandai Namco Europe
Difficulty
They are identical. Don't assume that Elden Ring's difficulty would be easier if you have a powerful computer setup and that you can easily beat Tree Sentinel boss if you play it on a different version of the game, ha-ha! Tree Sentinel is one of the first boss fights you will face, and it was regarded as one of the game's noob filters!
Being a gamer that achieved the Platinum Trophy on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I didn't give up until I beat Tree Sentinel with my base character (no upgrades, no new weapons, etc.), and after being defeated more than 200 times, I was finally able to defeat this freak!
The difficulty is the same across all platforms.
Graphics
The visuals on the PS4 version are limited to 30 frames per second, whereas the graphics on the PS5 version are limited to 60 frames per second. Quality mode and performance mode are available on the PS5. In quality mode, the frame rate is reduced to less than 60 frames per second, while the image and shadow quality improves. This is ideal for higher-resolution televisions or monitors. Higher frame rates and better gameplay are available in performance mode, limited to 60 frames per second.
Ray tracing is also accessible on current-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, and PC. That is, you will be able to notice and experience the difference in its detailed scenery, characters, and other game features.
PS4, you're simply years behind. Because they support current-generation consoles, your version's hardware and technology restrictions are obvious.
- PS4: 30 FPS
- PS5: 60 FPS
- PC: 60 FPS (or more, depending on the GPU and hardware installed)
Here is a comparison video to help you understand more:
Video Source: The Gamer Dad
Winner: PS5. The PS5 is the clear victor in this category, and playing on this platform offers a better experience than other consoles, even without additional investment in PC hardware upgrades.
Online Features Like Multiplayer and Co-op
If you want an experience beyond the offline campaign, try playing online mode, experience unique online play, and interact with other gamers. Online mode is a particularly useful feature because you can summon other players to fight with you if you are stuck on defeating a boss.
- PS4 and PS5: An additional fee is required for a PS Plus subscription.
- PC: Free!
PC has easier access and is the winner here! You do not need to pay extra for subscriptions to use the multiplayer features and invade other characters. You will need a stable internet connection to access the online functions.
Video Source: EPICTREASURE
Winner: PC
Price
The typical price of a brand-new Elden Ring game is around 59.99 USD, but this varies due to sales and discounts. If you're not in a hurry, add it to your wish list, and you'll be notified when it goes on sale. In our experience, Steam offers more promos and discounts compared to PlayStation.
Winner: Tie
Problems Encountered
Because of all the hype around the game's release, many gamers acquired a copy. They were met with brutally harsh bosses early in the game. They expected the game to be simple hack and slash, but Tree Sentinel delivered and slaughtered the casual gamers. Because of its extreme difficulty, Elden Ring received a deluge of critical reviews.
Today, the Elden Ring gets numerous positive reviews and is widely accepted by the gaming community.
Game Stuttering on PS5?
During the first few weeks of the game's release, players stated that the gameplay was not achieving 60 frames per second. They were constantly experiencing frame skipping, which impacted their entire experience. This was remedied when FromSoftware released a patch that addressed these problems.
Issues with PC performance?
Some PC gamers also resolved performance issues by rebooting the PC, updating the GPU drivers, and reinstalling the game.
Conclusion
Among the FromSoftware games, one of my favorite games is Elden Ring. If you haven't played this game yet, I strongly advise you to do so. This game's overall gaming experience is incredibly satisfying, and you will spend more than 50 hours exploring the vast world and experience the joy of discovering unknown dungeons and places! The high sense of accomplishment when beating the difficult bosses, plus the bragging rights of becoming a great gamer, are the perks you'll get by beating the game.
Regardless of whatever platform you play Elden Ring on, I am sure you will have a blast and find satisfaction in crushing the bosses. The main difference between the platforms is the visual effects and the consistent frame rate. Playing Elden Ring on PS5 provides a much better performance despite no hardware changes. However, playing on a PS4 or PC with less powerful hardware is still acceptable and entertaining.
I hope that FromSoftware will make new open-world games or release the Elden Ring 2, which is rumored to be in development!
Good news! The new DLC is now official and called Shadow of the Erdtree is now available! Lots of new bosses and maps to explore! Let us watch the trailer video below:
Video Source: Bandai Namco Europe
What are your Elden Ring moments? Did we miss anything in this short review? Please let us know in the comments section.
