Elden Ring is Best Experienced on PlayStation 5 for New Players

As an avid fan who has put over 200 hours into Elden Ring across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, I confidently recommend playing on PlayStation 5 for the best experience if you‘re new to FromSoftware‘s iconic brand of punishing action RPGs. While Xbox Series X and high-end PCs can deliver similar quality, PS5‘s rock-solid 60 FPS, intuitive haptics, seamless UI, and thriving player base make it the ideal platform to dive into the Lands Between.

In this expanded guide, I‘ll break down the key technical differences between platforms, provide concrete tips for beginners, and share my thoughts on what makes Elden Ring so special – as well as where it could improve. Whether you‘re a seasoned FromSoft veteran or have never touched a Souls game, this overview will help you make the most out of one of 2022‘s landmark titles.

A Technical Breakdown of Elden Ring‘s Performance

Before offering buy advice, let‘s examine how Elden Ring‘s technical performance compares across different platforms using data from extensive testing by Digital Foundry and my own experience across over 100 hours of playtime.

Frame Rate

• PlayStation 5: 60 FPS locked in performance mode. Only minor dips in heavily populated areas.
• Xbox Series X: Targets 60 FPS. Drops to 50s in demanding areas. VRR helps smooth these.
• PC (RTX 3080): 60-80 FPS at 1440p. 100+ FPS possible at 1080p. Highly scalable based on hardware.
• PlayStation 4: 30-45 FPS with frequent stuttering.

Clear advantage to PS5 with uncompromising frame pacing and virtually never deviating from 60 FPS during combat or exploration.

Resolution

• PS5: 1620p dynamic resolution in performance mode. 4K upscaled in quality mode.
• Xbox Series X: Mostly identical resolution to PS5. Around 1200-1600p upscaled to 4K.
• PC: Can hit native 4K (3840 x 2160) and higher with beefy GPU. Resolution highly flexible.

PC allows pushing resolutions far beyond what consoles can output natively, but PS5 and Xbox Series X still look great upscaled to 4K.

Load Times

• PS5: Around 20 seconds from launch to gameplay. Fast traveling takes 10-15 seconds.
• Xbox Series X: Slightly slower at 25-30 seconds from launch. Rest comparable to PS5.
• PC (NVMe SSD): Around 10 seconds from launch. Very fast with ideal storage.

PC has potential for fastest loading when properly optimized, but consoles are not far behind thanks to their SSDs.

Based on these metrics, it‘s clear that PS5 offers the most consistent and optimal way to play Elden Ring for 60 FPS perfectionists who value steady frame pacing over all else. However, capable PCs provide benefits like faster loading and the headroom to enable visual enhancements. Xbox Series X lags just slightly behind PS5, making it still an excellent option for those on Team Green.

Deluxe Edition – Pretty, But Not Essential

As mentioned previously, the $20 Deluxe Edition includes:

• A digital art book with 100+ pages of concept art and designs.
• The full 3+ hour soundtrack by composer Yuka Kitamura.

These are nice collectibles for hardcore fans, but do not actually add anything substantial to the game itself and are not worth it for casual fans. FromSoftware releases stellar art books and soundtracks for all its titles that you can buy separately.

Some may argue that the digital extras included in the Deluxe Edition make it a good value compared to buying the art book and soundtrack alone. However, you can find the full soundtrack on YouTube and plenty of concept art online.

Ultimately, while the Deluxe Edition bonuses are pretty, they are inessential. Stick to the Standard Edition unless you adore collecting official merch.

Best Starting Class & Build for Beginners

Elden Ring gives players 10 different classes to choose from at the start, dictating attributes like strength, dexterity, and intelligence. Through careful research and experimentation, I‘ve found the Vagabond to be the most beginner friendly class by far. Here‘s why:

• Highest starting vigor at 15 – Gives you more health to tank hits right away.
• Decent strength and dexterity for melee flexibility.
• Comes equipped with a 100% physical damage negation shield – Lets you safely block enemy combos.
• Starts with a strong, versatile longsword and halberd.

Complementing the Vagabond‘s innate strengths, I recommend a quality build that equally levels strength and dexterity. This lets you wield most non-magic weapons in the game. Prioritize getting vigor to 20-30 early on to increase survivability.

Some other solid starting class picks:

• Samurai: Starts with a katana for dex focused players.
• Prophet: Leans into the faithful casting abilities.
• Hero: Another very well rounded melee option like Vagabond.

Don‘t worry about "messing up" your build – you can always respec later! Experiment to find what suits your playstyle.

Spirit Ashes Are a Beginner‘s Best Friend

The new spirit summoning mechanics in Elden Ring are a godsend for players struggling with the brutal difficulty. These spectral spirits range from human warriors to giant bears that you can call upon to aid you in combat.

I cannot overstate how invaluable spirit ashes are, especially when just starting out. Having your own personal tank to draw aggro is a game changer. Some summons I relied on heavily in the early game:

• Lone Wolf Spirit – Aggressive melee fighter available very early.
• Imps – Weak butflict fire damage from range and summon in packs.
• Skeletal Militiamen – Gang of sword and shield skeletons that revive when killed.

Keep upgrading your spirits at Sites of Grace using Grave Glovewort. Their increased HP and damage makes a massive difference.

Pro tip: Look for pillars glowing with golden light – interacting with them will create a summoning pool that lets you call spirits anywhere, even in dungeons!

Play Co-operatively for a More Forgiving Experience

Elden Ring retains the Dark Souls tradition of invasions, where hostile players can enter your world to hunt you down. However, it also greatly expands the ability to play cooperatively, with new seamless matchmaking.

I highly recommend taking advantage of co-op during your first playthrough. Teaming up with one or two other players makes exploration far less terrifying and turns impossibly hard bosses into exciting team battles.

To play co-op, use one of the new Furlcalling Finger Remedy items to see glowing gold summon signs on the ground that you can interact with to bring in allies. Or lay down your own gold sign to be summoned into other worlds.

Playing with others balances out the hardship and brings the Lands Between to life. You‘ll likely make great friends along the way!

Be Patient and Explore Thoroughly in the Early Game

Elden Ring‘s vast open world can be overwhelming at first. As you emerge onto the cliffs of Limgrave, you‘re given very little direction and can easily wander into areas far beyond your skill level. Here are some tips:

• Don‘t rush – Move slowly and carefully, observing enemy patrols and tactics before engaging. Drawing out just 1-2 enemies from a group is vital.

• Fight intelligently – Strafing and guard counters should be your main melee tactics at first. Don‘t get greedy!

• Prioritize leveling vigor – Those extra HP points make a massive difference in survivability from the start. Get it to 20-25 before damage stats.

• Collect crafting materials – Grab flowers, mushrooms, stones etc. Crafting consumables like bone darts and exalted flesh are so useful.

• Mark challenging areas to return to later – Some mini-bosses and dungeons are meant for after you‘ve leveled up more. Don‘t bang your head against a wall.

• If an enemy seems impossible, you can probably avoid it – Run past enemies you can‘t handle to reach the next Site of Grace. You can always fast travel back later once stronger.

• Have fun exploring! – Elden Ring‘s open world is full of beauty and mystery. Let curiosity guide you to new adventures.

Recommended Gear for Starting Classes

Here are some of my top recommendations for weapons, spells, and upgrades that will give new players an advantage in the early game:

Vagabond/Melee Builds

• Claymore – Fantastic greatsword found in Castle Morne. S scales with strength.
• Banished Knight Halberd – Strong spear with long reach. Sold by Merchant Kalé.
• Brass Shield – Solid mediun shield sold by Gostoc with 100% physical negation.
• Starscourge Heirloom – Raises strength, dexterity, and endurance. Quest reward from Patches.

Prophet/Faith Builds

• Catch Flame – Basic fire-based ranged attack, perfect for new players.
• Bestial Vitality – Cheap healing spell to recover HP.
• Sacred Blade – Weapon buff miracle accessible very early.
• Godrick‘s Great Rune – Boosts all attributes. Defeat Godrick and activate at Divine Towers.

Prisoner/Sorcery Builds

• Glintstone Pebble – Bread-and-butter ranged magic attack. Wrecks from afar.
• Carian Slicer – Melee spectral blade for close encounters.
• Scholar‘s Armament – Covers right-hand weapon in magic.
• Meteorite Staff – Extremely powerful staff that doesn‘t need upgrading. Found in Caelid.

And regardless of build, repeatedly upgrade your primary weapon at smithing tables as soon as you get stones! This will do more for your damage output than anything early on.

What Makes Elden Ring So Special?

For my souls-like obsessed brethren out there, let‘s gush about what makes Elden Ring such a monumental accomplishment in the genre. In my opinion, three standout factors:

1. Sheer scope and ambition of the open world

FromSoftware wasn‘t content just making a larger Dark Souls. They crafted an entire mythological cosmos teeming with diverse biomes full of danger and wonder, seamlessly connected without load screens. Raya Lucaria alone has more magic and intrigue than entire games.

2. Artistic variety and attention to detail

The visual storytelling and environmental design routinely take my breath away. One moment you‘re exploring a misty, haunting eternal city. The next you‘ve delved into a subterranean mine of glowing gemstones. Every inch clearly crafted with care.

3. Satisfying legacy dungeon design

Despite the open world, FromSoft‘s brilliant linear level created shines in the Legacy Dungeons. Stormveil, Leyndell, and Farum Azula capture that meticulous, thrilling gauntlet feel that makes these games so special.

Elden Ring leverages the best of open worlds with the DNA that makes Souls iconic and distinct. A potent combination!

But It‘s Not Perfect – Room for Improvement

As someone who believes Elden Ring may be FromSoft‘s magnum opus, I‘m still disappointed by a few design choices:

Over-reliance on re-used dungeons/bosses

The open world suffers from repetitive catacombs and mines full of the same bosses. Evergaol crucible knights also lose their luster. More unique content would‘ve brought the world even more to life.

Poor magic/faith scaling in late game

Magic feels extremely powerful early on but falls off hard compared to melee late game. Sorceries especially could use balancing and more variety.

Crafting system missed potential

Crafting consumables feels basic and tedious. Expanding crafted items to include weapons, armor, accessories could‘ve added more depth.

Unrefined multiplayer

Lack of proper matchmaking or notifications for co-op makes playing with friends inconvenient. PvP also needs balancing work.

There are so many brilliant 10/10 elements that the handful of 7/10 areas stand out. But that‘s just proof of the sky-high bar Elden Ring sets for itself, making the minor flaws feel more glaring.

Verdict – Jump In and Let the Journey Unfold

Despite a few nitpicks, Elden Ring will go down as an all-time classic thanks to its grand fantasy world full of secrets, smooth and punishing combat, and outstanding art direction. I recommend any gamer with patience for challenge and a spirit of exploration to dive into the Lands Between, ideally on the beautiful 60 FPS opted PS5 version. Let yourself get lost in this generation-defining RPG.

Summon spirits to watch your back, co-op with friends to toughen boss fights, and respect that overcoming hardship only makes victory sweeter. Learn the attack patterns of enemies, pay attention for subtle clues in the environments, and customize your build until you find a playstyle that clicks. The game always rewards persistence and a willingness to peek around every corner.

Elden Ring is a monolithic achievement that everyone should experience, no matter your experience with From games. Now grab your controller and let the great quest begin! Just remember…don‘t you dare go hollow.