Top PS5 Games to Enjoy in 2026: Must-Play Titles

Elden Ring isn’t just a game; it’s an odyssey. A grand, brutal, and utterly captivating journey through a world brimming with secrets, challenges, and unmatched atmosphere.

Kwonglish here, and today we’re diving deep into the Lands Between to revisit one of the most impactful titles of recent years. If you’ve ever wondered about the hype, or if you’re a Tarnished seeking to relive the glory, this review is for you. Prepare to delve into the vastness and unforgiving beauty that defines this action RPG masterpiece.

Game Overview: The Birth of a Legend

Elden Ring burst onto the scene in 2022, immediately setting new benchmarks for the action RPG genre. Developed by the legendary FromSoftware, known for their brutally challenging yet immensely rewarding “Souls-like” games, this title was something truly special. The anticipation was already through the roof, primarily due to the collaboration between game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind Dark Souls and Bloodborne, and George R.R. Martin, the acclaimed author of A Song of Ice and Fire, who lent his talents to crafting the game’s foundational lore.

What makes Elden Ring stand out from its predecessors is its ambitious leap into a truly open world. Unlike the more linear, interconnected levels of Dark Souls, Elden Ring offers players unparalleled freedom to explore the vast and perilous Lands Between. This shift was a huge gamble, but it paid off spectacularly, merging FromSoftware’s signature intricate level design and combat mechanics with a sense of boundless discovery that had previously been hinted at but never fully realized.

The game was released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, ensuring a wide audience could experience its grandeur. Its launch was met with universal critical acclaim, garnering numerous Game of the Year awards and quickly becoming one of the best-selling games of 2022. It wasn’t just a commercial success; it was a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless discussions, memes, and speedruns, cementing its place in gaming history.

Elden Ring represents a masterful evolution of the Souls-like formula, blending familiar challenge with unprecedented freedom.

Story & World-Building: A Shattered Realm

The narrative of Elden Ring, while characteristically enigmatic and fragmented, is a sprawling epic of cosmic horror and familial betrayal. Players step into the shoes of the Tarnished, exiles guided by grace, returning to the Lands Between after the shattering of the titular Elden Ring. This cataclysmic event, sparked by the theft of the Rune of Death and the subsequent murder of Godwyn the Golden, led to a war among Queen Marika’s demigod offspring, each claiming a shard of the Ring, known as a Great Rune.

George R.R. Martin’s influence is palpable in the rich, tragic backstories of these demigods – characters like Radahn, Malenia, Godrick, and Rennala. Their intertwined fates and the desolate state of their kingdoms paint a picture of grandeur fallen into ruin. The lore isn’t spoon-fed; instead, it’s meticulously woven into item descriptions, environmental storytelling, cryptic NPC dialogues, and the very architecture of the world. Piecing it together is a significant part of the game’s intellectual reward, inviting players to become active historians of the Lands Between.

The world itself is a character. From the golden-hued fields of Limgrave to the scarlet rot-blighted Caelid, the shimmering magic of Liurnia of the Lakes, and the ancient, frozen peaks of the Mountaintops of the Giants, every region feels distinct and alive with history. The looming presence of the Erdtree, a colossal golden tree that dominates the skyline, serves as a constant, haunting reminder of the world’s fractured divinity. Its visual impact is simply breathtaking, drawing you towards its mysteries from the moment you emerge into the open world.

This approach to storytelling creates an unparalleled sense of immersion. You’re not just playing a story; you’re uncovering one, becoming a participant in a grand, ancient drama. The sheer depth of the lore ensures that even after hundreds of hours, there are still secrets to uncover and connections to be made, encouraging multiple playthroughs and endless theory-crafting within the community.

The world of Elden Ring is not merely a setting; it is a meticulously crafted tapestry of lore and environmental narrative that begs to be explored.

Gameplay Review: Tarnished, Rise!

Here’s where Elden Ring truly shines, offering a gameplay experience that is both familiar to Souls veterans and surprisingly accessible to newcomers, thanks to its open-world design. The core combat is classic FromSoftware: deliberate, weighty, and demanding. Every swing, dodge, and parry feels impactful, and enemy encounters, even with basic grunts, require respect and tactical thinking. Button mashing will get you sent back to a Site of Grace faster than you can say “You Died.”

Combat and Build Variety

The combat system is deepened by the introduction of Ashes of War, customizable weapon skills that allow for incredible build diversity. Want to turn your greatsword into a flaming projectile launcher? Go for it. Prefer to parry with a shield that explodes on command? You can do that too. This system, combined with a vast array of weapons, spells, incantations, and talismans, ensures that virtually any playstyle is viable. Whether you’re a heavy armor tank, a nimble dual-wielder, a devastating sorcerer, or a holy warrior, Elden Ring supports your vision. This freedom in character building is a massive improvement over previous titles, encouraging experimentation.

Furthermore, the introduction of the Guard Counter mechanic rewards aggressive blocking, opening enemies up for critical hits. This small but significant addition adds another layer of strategy to melee combat, making shields more viable than ever before. Combined with jump attacks, which offer high poise damage, the combat feels more fluid and dynamic without sacrificing its signature challenge.

Exploration and the Open World

The open world of the Lands Between is not just vast; it’s densely packed with meaningful content. Every nook and cranny seems to hide a secret, a dungeon, a powerful enemy, or a valuable item. The sense of discovery is constant and genuinely exciting. Riding your spectral steed, Torrent, across the landscape is a joy, allowing for swift traversal and even mounted combat. This mobility is crucial for navigating the world and escaping overwhelming threats, providing a much-needed sense of agency.

Unlike many open-world games that rely on endless map markers, Elden Ring encourages organic exploration. The “guidance of grace” points you generally towards main objectives, but the real fun comes from deviating, stumbling upon a hidden cave, a towering legacy dungeon, or a fearsome field boss. The verticality of the world, with its sprawling castles and underground cities, is breathtaking. You’ll spend hours simply marveling at the sheer scale and intricate design of areas like Stormveil Castle or the Siofra River.

Boss Fights and Challenge

FromSoftware is synonymous with epic boss battles, and Elden Ring delivers perhaps their finest collection yet. Each major boss is a spectacle, both visually and mechanically. From the furious, multi-phased assault of Margit, the Fell Omen, to the terrifying might of Starscourage Radahn, and the infamous challenge of Malenia, Blade of Miquella, these encounters are designed to push players to their limits. They demand pattern recognition, precise timing, and often, a hefty dose of patience and perseverance.

The beauty of Elden Ring’s open world is that if you hit a wall with a particularly tough boss, you can simply go explore somewhere else. This freedom to “git gud” on your own terms, by finding better gear, leveling up, or discovering new spells, significantly mitigates the frustration often associated with previous Souls games. It makes the challenge feel less like an insurmountable barrier and more like a rewarding journey of self-improvement.

To assist players, the game introduces Spirit Ashes – summonable spectral allies that can draw aggro and deal damage during boss fights. These spirits, ranging from basic wolves to powerful knights, are invaluable tools, especially for solo players struggling with multi-enemy encounters or high-pressure situations. They add another layer of strategic depth and make the game feel a bit more forgiving without sacrificing its core identity.

Elden Ring’s gameplay is a masterclass in player agency and rewarding challenge, offering unparalleled freedom and depth in its combat and exploration.

Graphics & Sound: The Art of Despair and Grandeur

Visually, Elden Ring is a triumph of art direction. While not pushing raw graphical fidelity to the absolute bleeding edge like some hyper-realistic titles, its aesthetic is utterly captivating. The game’s world is a decaying masterpiece, blending medieval fantasy with grotesque horror and cosmic wonder. Every environment, from the golden glow of Limgrave to the ethereal beauty of the Eternal Cities underground, is meticulously crafted and steeped in atmosphere. The character and enemy designs are, as expected from FromSoftware, iconic and disturbing. Each creature tells a story through its appearance, from the lumbering trolls to the elegant yet terrifying Malenia.

The sheer scale of the world is consistently impressive. Looking out from a high vantage point and seeing the Erdtree dominating the horizon, or spotting a distant castle that you know you can eventually reach, creates an incredible sense of awe and motivation to explore. The weather effects, day-night cycle, and dynamic lighting further enhance the immersion, making the Lands Between feel like a living, breathing, albeit dying, world.

On the technical side, while the PC version initially had some performance issues, patches quickly addressed many of these concerns, leading to a much smoother experience. On current-gen consoles, the game runs beautifully, offering both quality and performance modes to suit player preferences. The visual fidelity, combined with the artistic vision, creates a world that is unforgettable.

Sound Design and Score

The sound design in Elden Ring is nothing short of phenomenal, playing a crucial role in building its oppressive atmosphere and escalating tension. The subtle creaks of a distant enemy, the chilling whispers of unseen horrors, or the satisfying clang of a perfectly timed parry all contribute to the immersive experience. Environmental sounds, from the rustling of leaves in Limgrave to the eerie silence of an underground tomb, are expertly crafted, pulling you deeper into the world.

The orchestral score is equally magnificent. While exploration often features ambient, melancholic tunes that enhance the sense of desolation, the true power of the music comes alive during boss battles. Each major boss has a unique, epic track that perfectly encapsulates their character and the gravity of the encounter. These scores are not just background noise; they are integral to the emotional rollercoaster of each fight, driving the player forward even in the face of overwhelming odds. Yuka Kitamura and her team once again deliver a soundtrack that will be remembered for years to come.

Elden Ring’s presentation is a masterclass in atmosphere, where stunning art direction meets an unforgettable auditory experience.

Pros & Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The Brutal

No game is perfect, not even a masterpiece like Elden Ring. Let’s break down what it does exceptionally well and where it might stumble for some players.

The Tarnished’s Triumphs (Pros)

• Unrivaled Open World Design: The Lands Between isn’t just big; it’s dense with handcrafted content, encouraging genuine exploration over checklist completion. Every discovery feels earned and meaningful.
• Deep, Rewarding Combat: FromSoftware’s signature combat is refined and expanded with Ashes of War, Guard Counters, and a vast array of weapons and magic, supporting incredible build diversity.
• Epic Boss Fights: The bosses are some of the most memorable and challenging in gaming history, each a unique test of skill, patience, and strategy.
• Rich, Mysterious Lore: George R.R. Martin’s world-building combines with Miyazaki’s evocative storytelling to create a lore that is endlessly fascinating and rewarding to uncover.
• High Replayability: With multiple endings, diverse build options, New Game+, and hidden secrets, Elden Ring offers hundreds of hours of content.
• Stunning Art Direction: The visual design and atmospheric presentation are top-tier, creating a truly unique and immersive world.

The Tarnished’s Trials (Cons)

• Steep Difficulty Curve: While more accessible than previous Souls games, Elden Ring is still incredibly challenging, which might deter some casual players.
• Occasional Technical Hiccups: At launch, the PC version suffered from frame rate drops and stuttering, though most issues have been largely resolved through patches.
• Repetitive Mini-Bosses: While major bosses are unique, some field bosses and dungeon mini-bosses are reused, which can slightly diminish the sense of novelty in later areas.
• Minimal Direct Storytelling: The cryptic, environmental storytelling isn’t for everyone. Players who prefer clear, linear narratives might find the lore hard to grasp.

Despite a few minor rough edges, Elden Ring’s strengths overwhelmingly outweigh its weaknesses, solidifying its place as a genre-defining title.

Verdict: A New Standard for Open-World RPGs

Elden Ring is not just a great game; it’s a monumental achievement in game design. FromSoftware has successfully translated their unique brand of challenging, rewarding gameplay into an expansive, open-world format without sacrificing an ounce of their signature atmosphere or intricate level design. The Lands Between is a world begging to be explored, filled with danger, beauty, and secrets around every corner. The combat is deep, the boss fights are legendary, and the lore is a sprawling, tragic epic that will captivate anyone willing to delve into its depths.

For both veterans of the Souls series and newcomers looking for a truly immersive and challenging adventure, Elden Ring is an essential experience. It redefines what an open-world action RPG can be, offering a level of freedom and discovery that few games can match. It’s a game that respects your intelligence, rewards your persistence, and leaves an indelible mark on your gaming psyche.

My time in the Lands Between has been one of the most memorable gaming experiences in recent memory. The sheer scale, the incredible boss fights, and the constant sense of discovery kept me hooked for hundreds of hours, and I still find myself thinking about its mysteries. It’s truly a game that will be talked about for generations.

The journey through the Lands Between awaits.

Whether you’re a seasoned Tarnished or just considering stepping into this incredible world, Elden Ring offers an unforgettable adventure that will challenge and reward you unlike any other. Go forth, brave warrior, and claim your destiny as the Elden Lord! If you’ve played, share your favorite boss or memory in the comments below. Until next time, keep gaming, and may your Flasks always be full!