Is Elden Ring Still Worth Playing In 2026?

Elden Ring was first released in 2022, and it was the first time that Souls series were truly brought from a niche to the masses.
Some might argue that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was already a huge step toward mainstream success for Hidetaka Miyazaki, especially after winning Game of the Year. But does that really count as introducing Souls games to the masses?

If we’re being strict about it, Sekiro—despite its Souls-like elements—is a different beast. The gameplay mechanics diverge significantly from the traditional Souls formula, and for that reason, it’s often excluded from the core Souls lineage.

Elden Ring is undoubtedly a game that inherits the traditional Souls series. From Demon’s Souls to the Dark Souls trilogy, we’ve always played as a lone knight clad in Western armor, battling grotesque creatures and mythical dragons across worlds drenched in decay. Elden Ring carries on that legacy with barely any deviation in its core identity.

Now that the game has been out for nearly three years and thoroughly dissected online, one might wonder—is Elden Ring still worth playing in 2026? My answer: absolutely.

The Best Soul-like Game

Following Elden Ring, we’ve seen a wave of Souls-like titles, including Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, and even the quirky Another Crab’s Treasure. Many of these games are impressive in their own right and may even surpass Elden Ring in certain areas. However, they often stumble at launch due to issues like clunky mechanics or unbalanced enemy placement. Take Lies of P—its awkward parry system and brief campaign are common criticisms.

In contrast, Elden Ring launched nearly flawlessly and continues to excel across the board. Many players finish their first run only to wish they could erase their memories and start fresh.

Whether you're brand new or a seasoned Souls veteran, Elden Ring still stands as the definitive Souls-like experience available.

Graphics

Historically, FromSoftware’s games—from Dark Souls 1 through 3—weren’t known for pushing graphical boundaries. Yet their unique artistic direction always left an impact. The fragmented storytelling style means lore is embedded in every item and environment, creating the sensation of exploring a world with deep, ancient roots.

Moments like riding out from Stormveil Castle and catching sight of the mist-covered Caria Manor evoke a sense of wonder even greater than Dark Souls III’s iconic reveal of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.

Now, with a vast open-world map, Elden Ring gives Miyazaki the freedom to build sprawling, visually stunning environments. Each new region you visit stuns with its own breathtaking scenery.

If you’re a fan of games with captivating world design, Elden Ring is absolutely worth your time.

Combat

One of the major changes in Elden Ring is that the protagonist, the Tarnished, can jump—a revolutionary addition for the Souls formula. It transforms both combat and exploration, opening up new strategies and verticality that weren’t possible before.

Still, compared to other action games like Devil May Cry or God of War, the Tarnished’s movements can feel limited. Combat often becomes a game of patience, where you must time your hits between enemy attack windows—earning the joking nickname “turn-based” combat.

But this difficulty is also part of the charm. Even after slaying the final boss, you can never let your guard down. Three rogue dogs could steal all your Runes if you drop your focus for a second.

Elden Ring offers a meaty combat experience with both PVE and PVP options. For most players, the single-player (PVE) content alone provides more than enough gameplay to stay immersed for weeks.

Thanks to the game’s open-world nature, Elden Ring features the most content in the entire Souls lineup. You can easily spend days or even weeks exploring without seeing everything.

And once you've completed the game, there's still incentive to start again. With new weapons and gear unlocked, you’ll want revenge on all those bosses and elite mobs who gave you a hard time during your first run.

Even seasoned players often find themselves coming back—trying new weapons, experimenting with different builds, and rediscovering the joy of the journey.

Suitable For Playing With Friends

At its core, games are about having fun, and Elden Ring delivers that—solo or co-op. The online mode lets you team up with friends to tackle dungeons, castles, or world bosses. Whether you're helping others as a veteran Sunbro or leveling up with allies as a newcomer, there’s plenty of joy to be had.

If you're looking for a co-op experience and have already played It Takes Two, give Elden Ring a shot.

Elden Ring remains relevant well into 2026. It fully deserved its Game of the Year title back in 2022 and continues to evolve. The 2024 DLC expansion added new spells, gear, and even brand-new weapon types—further enriching the gameplay.

At this point, it feels like the only person who can top Hidetaka Miyazaki… is Miyazaki himself. Until his next masterpiece arrives, Elden Ring remains the king of Souls-like experiences.