ELDEN RING: Deluxe Edition

Let's pop aside the Elden Ring: Deluxe Edition for a moment and appreciate how we've been treated to a masterwork in video gaming. This soul-like RPG was incredible on all fronts, visually, mechanically, and narratively. There's not much we can criticize about a game that's received near universal acclaim from journalists worldwide, but is there anything to critique about the special edition?

Even canon games can be annoying to players who see that publishers are just mounting a cash grab on the success of the base game. Elden Ring: Deluxe Edition may be one of those titles that bring value with their enhanced release. However, most speculate that the game features little more than assets collected during development to tack on a few more dollars to the package. Let's see for ourselves.

One Ring to Rule Them All

First, we'll have to clear the air about what's featured in the Elden Ring: Deluxe Edition. Is it additional content? A bigger world to explore? An extensive range of cosmetic and character-enhancing items? Well, if you had any suspicions that this package might contain digital fluff content, you'd be correct. All we're getting here is a digital art book and the complete original soundtrack.

For a more significant price, you're not getting a whole lot extra. The digital art book is excellent, showcasing all the concepts, level designs, and beautifully dark worlds that makeup Elden Ring's core. You've got that fantastic soundtrack to listen to whenever you want, not just in-game. Still, we're not getting anything game-changing (literally, and players will rightfully feel annoyed.

However, we can't deny that Elden Ring is one of the greatest RPGs ever. Spending a bit extra to hold on to a piece of history is worth the additional cost. Should they be calling this a deluxe edition? Questionable. Call it something like the founder's edition, anything that makes the buyer feel like they own something special without presenting the additional content as overzealous.

The bottom line is if you already own Elden Ring, there's absolutely no point in buying the deluxe edition only for the art book and soundtrack. If you've heard great things about the game yet have yet to play it, you should invest in the additional content to enjoy after your mind has been blown.

Respect Your Eldens

The deplorable state of the game industry is that AAA publishers can get away with slapping a couple of game assets into the base title and call it a deluxe edition. How often have we seen this with colossal releases like the Final Fantasy franchise? It will encourage people to buy them, as hardcore fans must have everything.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• One of the greatest RPGs ever made with additional content
• Understand the development and lore of the game even more
• Own the brilliant soundtrack

Cons:

• Only a little value is added with the deluxe edition