New Game 2 Elden Ring, Since its release in February 2022, Elden Ring has captivated gamers worldwide with its expansive open world, intricate lore, brutal combat, and innovative gameplay. A collaboration between Hidetaka Miyazaki (director of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice) and George R. R. Martin (author of A Song of Ice and Fire), the game broke boundaries and set a new standard for action RPGs.
It’s no surprise then that fans have been eagerly awaiting any news of a sequel or new content. While Elden Ring 2 has not been officially announced yet as of late 2024, there has been a lot of speculation and rumor circulating the gaming community. Given the massive success of the first game, it’s highly probable that FromSoftware is already hard at work on a follow-up, and the world is buzzing with anticipation.
Here’s everything we can speculate about Elden Ring 2 and why this game will be one of the most anticipated titles in the action RPG genre.
1. What We Expect from Elden Ring 2: Bigger, Bolder, and More Beautiful
The success of Elden Ring was not just a stroke of luck—it was the result of years of meticulous game design, blending FromSoftware’s mastery of level design with the freedom of an open world and a storytelling style that rewarded deep exploration. If a sequel is indeed in the works, here’s what fans are hoping and speculating for.
A More Expansive World: New Realms to Explore
In Elden Ring, the Lands Between felt alive and immersive, a vast world filled with secrets, dungeons, and hidden lore. One of the key aspects of the game was the freedom to explore, and the ability to roam across vast fields, towering mountains, and desolate plains, all with the opportunity to stumble upon hidden caves, bosses, or lore-filled ruins.
For Elden Ring 2, players expect a massively expanded world. While the first game had a wide variety of biomes, fans anticipate that the sequel could introduce new realms, each with their own unique environments, storylines, and challenges. FromSoftware may take inspiration from other parts of the Elden Ring mythology, possibly exploring new continents, new pantheons of gods, or even time periods.
Rumors and speculations suggest that Elden Ring 2 could venture beyond the familiar Lands Between, exploring more ancient locations, underwater realms, or even planar dimensions, continuing the game’s tradition of offering players unexpected and mind-bending locations.
New Combat Innovations: Building on Perfection
The combat system in Elden Ring was a refined version of what FromSoftware established in the Dark Souls series. Players had the freedom to craft their own combat style, whether through melee weapons, magic, or ranged attacks, with a robust skill system that supported many different builds.
For the sequel, Elden Ring 2 will undoubtedly continue to build upon this success. Here are a few potential improvements:
- More Combat Customization: Players might expect more diverse options for weapons, spells, and abilities. The introduction of new Ashes of War in the first game provided exciting combat variety, and Elden Ring 2 could expand on this with more weapon types and combat skills.
- New Fighting Styles: With FromSoftware’s previous experience with games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which featured a more action-oriented combat style, there is speculation that Elden Ring 2 might introduce more agile combat systems, or perhaps dual-wielding, or even new stances that offer more variety in how players approach encounters.
- Expanded Mounted Combat: Elden Ring was one of the first FromSoftware titles to feature mounted combat, with players able to ride their steed Torrent to battle enemies. If the sequel refines this system, it could lead to more dynamic battles that incorporate larger-scale warfare or boss fights on horseback.
- Co-op and PvP Enhancements: The multiplayer aspect of Elden Ring was widely praised, allowing players to summon others for co-op or invade each other’s worlds for competitive PvP. Elden Ring 2 could expand on this, with more seamless multiplayer integration and perhaps larger co-op campaigns, more PvP arenas, or even a guild or faction system that provides deeper integration between solo and multiplayer gameplay.
2. The Return of Dark Fantasy Lore: A Richer, Deeper Narrative
One of the defining features of Elden Ring was its environmental storytelling. The game’s lore was expansive and complex, with players piecing together stories through hidden item descriptions, cryptic NPC dialogue, and the remnants of fallen civilizations. The world of Elden Ring felt as if it had existed long before the player ever stepped foot in it.
For a sequel, the bar is high. Fans hope that FromSoftware will continue the intricate world-building while introducing new layers to the mysterious lore that has become the hallmark of the studio’s games. Given George R. R. Martin’s involvement in the original, there is potential for further collaboration in expanding the mythology.
- The Fate of the Elden Ring: While the first game focused on restoring the Elden Ring and becoming the Elden Lord, Elden Ring 2 might explore what happens after the Shattering. The world could be on the brink of a new cataclysmic event, or perhaps there are new gods vying for power.
- New Factions and Gods: With the Great Runes scattered across the Lands Between in the original game, Elden Ring 2 could introduce new factions of deities or even ancient god-kings who were not part of the original story. The world of the Elden Ring is vast, and new pantheons and mythologies could play a major role.
- Player-Driven Choices: FromSoftware has always placed a heavy emphasis on player choice and consequences. In the sequel, players might have more control over the narrative direction of the story, potentially creating different story paths or endings that depend on the actions taken throughout the game.
3. Potential for New Mechanics: Innovation in Gameplay
Given the success of Elden Ring’s design and the fact that FromSoftware is known for pushing the boundaries of game mechanics, it’s likely that Elden Ring 2 will include new innovations that make the gameplay even more dynamic.
- New Modes of Travel: While Torrent was a key feature of the first game, we could see new ways to traverse the world. Perhaps flying mounts, boats, or underwater exploration could be added to give players even more freedom to explore new and different environments.
- Interactive Environments: Elden Ring featured interactive environments, with environmental hazards like traps, cliffs, and enemies using the terrain to their advantage. Elden Ring 2 could take this even further with destructible environments, weather effects that alter gameplay, and dynamic world changes that respond to player actions.
- Evolution of the “Spirit Ash” System: The Spirit Ashes summon system in the original allowed players to call forth ghostly allies to help them in battle. A sequel could introduce new types of spirits, perhaps tied to specific quests or regions, or even summonable bosses that help during pivotal moments in the story.
4. What We Know About the Release and Development Timeline
As of 2024, FromSoftware has not officially confirmed Elden Ring 2. However, the studio has a history of working on sequels to its popular games, and the success of Elden Ring makes it a prime candidate for continued development. Given the complexity and size of the game, a sequel could be expected for release sometime in 2025 or beyond, but there has been no official announcement on the release window.
With Miyazaki and the rest of the development team continuing to work on several projects—including updates and expansions for Elden Ring—fans can likely expect an expansion or DLC for the first game in the meantime.
Conclusion: A Sequel Worth Waiting For
If Elden Ring 2 is indeed in the works, it has the potential to be an even grander, more ambitious title than its predecessor. With innovative gameplay mechanics, a deeper narrative, and new worlds to explore, the sequel promises to take the foundation of the original and elevate it to new heights. For fans of the first game, and newcomers alike, Elden Ring 2 will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated releases in the coming years.
