What is Elden Ring on PC?
Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s open-world action RPG, written with George R. R. Martin and shipped on Steam in February 2022. On PC you buy it once on Steam, download a single 60 GB build, then play the entire Lands Between — Limgrave, Liurnia, Caelid, the Mountaintops, and the capital Leyndell — as the Tarnished, hunting Great Runes and challenging Demigods. After the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion takes you to the Land of Shadow with new weapons, bosses and an additional 30+ hours of content.
Why people still buy it in 2026
- Open world that respects exploration. No icon-vomit map; it rewards curiosity, not checklists.
- Build variety. 100+ weapons, 200+ Ashes of War, 300+ spells/incantations — strength, dexterity, intelligence, faith, arcane, and hybrid builds all viable.
- Online co-op. Summon up to two friends with passwords, fight invaders, or join others as a Hunter.
- Endgame. NG+ up to NG+7, with the DLC layered on top, gives hundreds of hours.
How to buy and start playing
- Open the official Steam page using the Buy on Steam button above.
- Purchase Elden Ring (or the bundle with Shadow of the Erdtree if you want the DLC up front).
- Install through your Steam Library — about 60 GB on an SSD.
- Launch in EAC mode if you plan to play online; offline mode disables co-op and invasions.
System requirements (PC)
Minimum: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-8400 / Ryzen 3 3300X, 12 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB / Radeon RX 580 4 GB. Recommended: Core i7-8700K / Ryzen 5 3600X, 16 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB / RX Vega 56. SSD strongly recommended for traversal stutter.
Want the full breakdown by graphics card, plus SSD and stutter tips? Read our Elden Ring system requirements guide.
Screenshots
Critical & player reception
1stargames editorial summary — these notes reflect widely reported critic and player sentiment, not direct quotes or verified individual reviews. For scored critic reviews see Metacritic or OpenCritic; for player reviews, open the game’s Steam page.
- Critics: Launched in February 2022 to near-universal acclaim and won multiple 2022 Game of the Year awards. The 2024 expansion Shadow of the Erdtree was also widely praised by critics.
- Players: Holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” user rating on Steam, with praise focused on open-world design, exploration and build variety.
- Common criticism: Early PC builds had traversal stutter (improved by later patches), and the difficulty curve is steep for newcomers.
Editor verdict
Buy. If you have any tolerance for high-difficulty combat, Elden Ring is the most replayable single-purchase RPG of the decade — even more so with Shadow of the Erdtree. The Steam version is the canonical PC build and stays patched.
- Best-in-class open world
- Huge build variety
- Online co-op + DLC
- Initial traversal stutter
- Steep learning curve
Frequently asked questions
Is Elden Ring on Steam?
Yes — it’s sold and updated on Steam. Use the Buy on Steam button above; that page is Valve’s official listing.
Does Elden Ring have co-op on PC?
Yes, up to three players via online passwords. PvP invasions are separate. EAC must be running for online play.
Do I need Shadow of the Erdtree?
Not to enjoy the base game. Buy it later when you reach Mohg or hit the late game — it’s a paid expansion roughly the size of a full sequel.
What are the PC requirements?
Minimum GTX 1060 3 GB / RX 580 4 GB with an i5-8400 / Ryzen 3 3300X. Recommended GTX 1070 8 GB and 16 GB RAM. SSD highly recommended.
