In a newly dark and expansive world, FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki fans will soon have another grimdark setting to explore early next year. Adding to the list of true-to-form Soulslike games next January, the long-awaited and highly anticipated Elden Ring finally has a confirmed release date, alongside the first gameplay reveal. Fans got their first glimpses of the open world design, horse traversal, as well as the next evolution of the infamously difficult but satisfying Dark Souls-style combat. Additionally, fans got their few teases and hints at the narrative and lore of Elden Ring, which incidentally involves a literal object or construct known as the "Elden Ring."
Obviously it's impossible to discuss specifics, but the titular construct is a lot more than just a name for flair, as expected. However what's more interesting is, rather than being some kind of metaphor, the world of Elden Ring is apparently held together and dictated by a literal "Elden Ring." Intrinsically connected to something vaguely known as the "Golden Order," Elden Ring's narrative setup resembles Dark Souls wholeheartedly, but the mystery of the actual Ring itself is particularly interesting. Elden Ring is either being cheeky and obvious, or the Elden Ring itself is some kind of red herring or otherwise deliberate distraction.
The Actual 'Elden Ring' is a Physical Concept
The actual "Elden Ring" in Elden Ring isn't some kind of ethereal concept or ideal, rather the game seems to be inferring it's some kind of physical construct. In some way, The "Golden Order" dictates the peace that was once in the world of Elden Ring, and yet with the coming of "the Tarnished" (the player's character), the Ring itself was broken. With the breaking of the Elden Ring and the Golden Order disbanding, some kind of curse is brought upon the Tarnished, which is presumably the contextualization for the usual Dark Souls loop of dying and being reborn. From what's known so far, the quest is to rebuild the Elden Ring and become Elden Lord.
The Ring itself is apparently broken into shards, perhaps connected to the Elden Ring kingdoms that are reportedly spread throughout the open world. These kingdoms, or "Lands Between," each hold shards of the Elden Ring that need to be pieced back together. According to the Bandai Namco Entertainment website for Elden Ring, the complete Elden Ring is the "source" of the Erdtree, a giant golden tree shown prominently in the center of the game's world. To gain the shards, players need to defeat the offspring of Queen Marika the Eternal, the ruler of the Lands Between. Every one of Marika's "demigod" offspring has a shard of the Elden Ring that players need.
Elden Ring, The Golden Order, and the Shattering
One thing that hasn't particularly been expanded upon yet is how this quest ties into the Golden Order and the "source" of the Erdtree. The Golden Order presumably refers to the world stability that the Elden Ring creates, the balance that was supposedly broken during "The Shattering." Some kind of war broke out between these demigods because they all grew ambitious and greedy, thanks to the strength provided by shards of the broken Elden Ring. This apparently prompts the "abandonment by the Greater Will," and while it's not clear what the Greater Will actually is, it's clearly related to the Golden Order that was keeping kingdoms safe prior to the Shattering.
All of this apparently contributes to the player's role as the Tarnished, who need to "follow the path to the Lands Between beyond the foggy sea to stand before the Elden Ring." Evidently the Tarnished are mortals brought back to life in the wake of the Shattering, who are apparently risen by god to take down these demigods and become "the Elden Lord." The Elden Ring will have an indelible impact on that quest, but if the Elden Ring itself is responsible for the Golden Order and the balance of the world, why are players after it? Is there a guaranteed cure to the player's curse with the Elden Ring. There is a distinct mystery in Elden Ring, and the purpose of the Ring itself.
The 'Elden Ring' is Comparatively More Literal Than Dark Souls
Basically, as a meld between the Dark Souls and Game of Thrones styles of storytelling, Elden Ring has essentially tossed out a bunch of enigmatic names, places, and things. However, Elden Ring is pretty clearly emphasizing rings in general, in obvious and subtle ways. The logo of the game, and presumed symbol of the Golden Order, is almost like a triple Venn diagram of rings interconnecting. There's even several bosses or creatures in Elden Ring's most recent trailer that are literal humanoid hands, a pretty distinct boss design compared to the other bosses shown in the game. Assuming the Elden Ring itself is an actual wearable ring, the hands could allude to that also.
So far, FromSoftware is at least offering a half-answer for Elden Ring fans to explain what the literal "Elden Ring" actually is. As some sort of source for godlike power, the Elden Ring has created some kind of power dynamic across the Lands Between and Marika's demigods. The Ring shattered after a devastating war and players will presumably spend the majority of Elden Ring piecing it back together to restore the Golden Order. The specifics of that quest are a mystery, but it's clear this Ring is going to be a far more literal presence in Elden Ring, compared to a more subtle approach in Dark Souls proper and Demon's Souls.
Elden Ring releases on January 21, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment