Elden Ring is exactly what fans of FromSoftware games want, and two new Pokemon games are coming out for the Switch later this year.

Elden Ring overwhelms with its epic, monstrous beauty

The long awaited Elden Ring, a new adventure game by FromSoftware, has finally arrived. And it’s exactly what fans of Dark Souls, Demons Souls, and Bloodborne want. This is not unexpected, as FromSoftware was the studio behind those games.

But it will come as a relief to some that the open world aspect of Elden Ring does not diminish the unique aspects that distinguished those earlier games.

Elden Ring is difficult to the point of being punishing at times. It rewards players who learn the dance-like combat that comes from blending attacks with dodging and parrying. What’s new here, though, are stealth elements, so you can sneak attack some enemies or even avoid them altogether.

How you fight will depend on the character you create. Each weapon is distinct and you’re given every chance to customize the skills of your specific Tarnished, no matter what class you start with.

The creatures that you’ll battle are the stuff of dreams and nightmares, strange, gothic hybrids of myth and madness. If they are proving too difficult, the best advice is to go in the opposite direction, exploring and improving your weapons and abilities. The creature will still be there waiting for you when you come back.

As with earlier FromSoftware games, success can depend on your willingness to ask for help, either from other players, which you can summon into your game, and sometimes from spirits in the world that can be compelled to assist.

The story, which Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin contributed to, is about the end of en era of gods and the beginning of a dark time of demigods. You play as a “Tarnished”, one who is restored from death by a magical “Grace”.

The world is vast and varied, and you’ll come across dungeons that threaten claustrophobia but promise great rewards, a dramatic contrast to the open spaces of the outside. And in addition to the main story, you can take on missions given to you by denizens that you’ll come across.

With curious creatures, a twisting narrative, and a commitment to unique game mechanics, Elden Ring delivers a jarring, unforgettable experience.

Elden Ring is available now for PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. It was developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco. Rated mature.

Scarlet and Violet are two new Pokemon games coming this year

In an announcement last week, Nintendo revealed that new Pokemon games are being released for the Switch later this year.

Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet have the same open world approach that was introduced with Pokemon Legends: Arceus. It’s not clear what the mechanics of battling other trainers and capturing pokemon will be like.

We do know the three pokemon that you will choose from when starting the game, though. Sprigatito is a grass type that looks like a cat, Fuecoco is a fire type that resembles a crocodile, and Quaxly is a water type duckling.