Elden Ring Remains Untainted on Switch 2
FromSoftware is gearing up to make waves on the Switch 2 later this year with the release of The Duskbloods, a gothic competitive multiplayer title that breaks new ground for the studio. But before that, Switch 2 players can dive into the studio’s most acclaimed title with the port of Elden Ring and its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. This new version, dubbed the “Tarnished Edition,” retains the essence of the game that captivated audiences in 2022, while the new platform offers a fresh way to explore the enigmatic Lands Between.
Elden Ring set itself apart from previous FromSoftware titles by presenting a vast open world filled with secrets and peril. Open-world games thrive on Nintendo’s hybrid console, allowing for quick sessions in handheld mode and more immersive experiences on the big screen. This was evident when the original Switch launched alongside The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2 have enabled impressive ports of massive titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Elden Ring serves as an excellent benchmark for the Switch 2. Although it’s a few years old, it remains a demanding game where every detail counts. Poor frame rates can lead to untimely deaths, and unclear graphics might let lurking foes catch you off guard. I spent countless hours exploring and perishing in the PS5 version at launch, and I’ve now logged about 10 hours with the Switch 2 port. While it may not be the most technically advanced version, it’s quickly becoming my preferred way to experience the game.
Revisiting the early hours of Elden Ring is quite the journey. It’s easy to overlook how punishing the game can be at the start. You begin as a frail Tarnished, thrown into a vast fantasy world teeming with threats. One of your first encounters is with a massive gladiator on horseback, and attempting to engage it results in instant death from a single sword strike. This serves as a harsh but valuable lesson, and much of my time with the Switch 2 version has involved hiding in bushes and taking down swarms of giant bats to gradually level up my budding astrologer. I’ve made some headway—defeating Margit, the Fell Omen, the first major boss, and reaching the Roundtable for a comforting embrace from Fia—but mostly, I’ve been exploring cautiously, slowly building both strength and confidence.
Crucially, the hardware limitations haven’t detracted from my experience. While there are some drawbacks, like less detailed character models and a few textures that appear muddy, these issues are minor and fade into the background as I explore. I haven’t encountered any stuttering or frame rate drops, whether in handheld or docked mode. Overall, Elden Ring runs smoothly enough on the Switch 2 that, aside from the occasional lengthy load time, I’ve hardly thought about performance at all.
Instead, I’ve found myself once again immersed in the Lands Between, spending countless hours reliving past adventures and planning my next moves. The nature of the platform makes it easier to weave a game of this scale into my daily routine. Sometimes, I’ll grab the tablet for a quick 20-minute session to clear out a camp of soldiers or locate the next Site of Grace, making steady progress that will pay off during longer play sessions on the TV.
This isn’t a groundbreaking insight about the Switch, but with Elden Ring’s expansive world and challenging combat, it exemplifies how well this type of open-world experience can function on the Switch 2. And with The Duskbloods on the horizon, it’s the perfect way to satisfy that FromSoftware craving while awaiting the studio’s next adventure.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition launches on the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28th.
