Simply put, while Elden Ring is a masterpiece, the PC version has too many performance issues in its current state to provide the definitive experience for most players. Consoles offer a smoother journey through the Lands Between for now.
Elden Ring remarkably lives up to its daunting hype, delivering engrossing exploration and cunning combat across a sprawling open fantasy world. For PC gamers, the promise of higher framerates, visual fidelity and customization makes the platform enticing. However, lackluster optimization results in too many setbacks that diminish this superb game. Unless you absolutely must play at launch, waiting for patches – or pivoting to console – is advised.
Evaluating Elden Ring‘s Flawed PC Port
Analysis from experts like Digital Foundry reveals Elden Ring‘s PC port does not fully harness the platform‘s capabilities. Across a variety of hardware, severe stuttering occurs regardless of graphics settings. Framerates frequently drop below 60 FPS and plummet further during graphically intense sequences.
Slowdown is most notable in dense open world areas where the PlayStation 5 version runs upwards of 15 FPS faster. Some cutscenes exhibit single digit PC framerates. Long load times also plague PC, taking over 50 seconds to restart after death versus 8 seconds on PS5.
Elden Ring demands a high-end GPU like an RTX 3080 just to maintain 60 FPS at 1440p with dips to the 40s on a Core i9-12900K according to Tom‘s Hardware. By comparison, Horizon Forbidden West runs far smoother on equivalent hardware. Additionally, Elden Ring has no DLSS integration to boost FPS through AI upscaling on RTX cards.
Though playable, Elden Ring on PC fails to demonstrate the polish that FromSoftware titles typically exude underneath their opaque designs. For an open world where fluidity facilitates exploration, disruptive hitches break Elden Ring‘s sense of atmosphere and place.
FromSoftware‘s Historically Hit or Miss PC Ports
Looking across FromSoftware‘s catalogue, lackluster PC versions are sadly unsurprising. The original Dark Souls port in 2012 gained infamy for locked 720p resolution and 30 FPS, requiring extensive mods to redeem.
Dark Souls 2 performed better but was locked to 60 FPS without edits. Bloodborne never saw a PC release, and Sekiro suffered from crashes and glitches initially. Only Dark Souls 3 achieved a robust PC experience befitting FromSoftware‘s pedigree.
As a publisher, Bandai Namco does not command much confidence in its PC support either, with a range of messy ports like Tales of Arise and Code Vein in recent years. Elden Ring seems a continuation of FromSoftware‘s spotty PC optimization.
Why a Good PC Port Matters for Elden Ring
For an expansive open world game like Elden Ring, the PC platform‘s capabilities can elevate immersion. Higher rendering resolutions allow faraway vistas and subtle details to shine, while increased draw distance instills greater spatial awareness.
Adjustable field of view caters to player preference, and additional post-processing enhances lighting and effects. Support for ultra-widescreen monitors and high refresh rates builds on these benefits. When well-optimized, Elden Ring on PC could offer an unparalleled sense of scope.
Precise mouse controls also lend nuance to challenging combat compared to gamepads. Camera management and menu navigation benefit as well. With many customization options, keyboard and mouse setups open more playstyle possibilities suited to particular builds.
Mod support down the road could also extend Elden Ring‘s life like it did for past Souls titles – improving graphics and effects, adding quality of life features, introducing fresh content, and potentially even expanding multiplayer and character builds.
Boosting Elden Ring‘s PC Performance Now
For those still keen on the PC platform, there are avenues to boost performance:
- Close background programs and disable superfluous visual effects
- Drop resolution below native scaling and enable dynamic scaling
- Lower shadow quality, draw distance, reflections, and turn off depth of field
- Cap frame rate below 60 FPS such as 45 FPS to stabilize dips
- Update BIOS, chipset, GPU drivers and DirectX for the newest optimizations
- Run the game from an SSD and use dual-channel 16GB or higher memory
- Consider community fixes, unofficial patches, and graphics mods in the future
However, sacrifices diminish the intended grandeur of Elden Ring‘s world. Prospective players should weigh temporary jankiness against experiencing FromSoftware‘s craft at its peak.
The Conundrum of Waiting for Improvements
Perhaps patches will smooth technical flaws, but FromSoftware‘s support tends to be minimal beyond stability fixes. Waiting also risks missing the shared excitement of collective launch dissection of secrets and strategies.
Nonetheless, a few months could make a world of difference – for the state of the port and available mods. The counterpoint is that even after long-delayed patching, the original Dark Souls PC port remained vessels short of perfection, forever mired in community workarounds. As launches recede from memory, these opportune moments fade.
The Future Prospects for Elden Ring PC
With modder support, Elden Ring on PC has prodigious potential. The vivid Lands Between deserve to be traversed at silky perfection just as players do. For now, FromSoftware disappointingly holds that experience back for PC gamers.
Yet there is still cause for optimism – this studio is perhaps too spiritedly devoted to their own erratic muse to leave ambition fully unrealized. If this celebrated developer‘s history is any guide, in time, after tribulations, the transcendent grace of their works perseveres.
Verdict – Should You Buy Elden Ring on PC?
For cinematic 4K/Ultrawide players – Without optimizations, even top-tier PCs struggle to deliver Elden Ring‘s epic fantasy realm in its deserved fidelity. Consoles currently showcase FromSoftware‘s crowning artistic vision more smoothly.
For competitive PvP and high framerate gamers – Inconsistent framerates disrupt the razor-sharp reflexes and gameplay mastery that Souls multiplayer demands. Wait for performance to better enable skill expression.
For patient and budget-conscious gamers – Give patches time to hopefully resolve launch woes before diving in. Grab discounted Steam sales down the road bundled with DLC. Mods will further enhance value.
For FromSoftware devotees – Few will fault staunch loyalty to playing the culmination of this storied saga on launch day, troubles be damned. But for your first sacred pilgrimage, ensure no distractions from Miyazaki‘s transcendent vision.
For casual gamers – As a more welcoming entry point to the storied Souls series, experiencing Elden Ring at its performant best takes priority. Let consoles unfurl this vast realm in stable splendor.
So in summary – Elden Ring‘s scale deserves better technical performance and polish than the PC port currently provides. Consoles present the most cohesive journey for new and veteran players alike. But in time, the PC platform may prove the definitive venue through fortuitous fixes and formative mods.
Whichever path you take, may your quest to become Elden Lord be met with triumph.
