Is Elden Ring "Play Anywhere"? Examining Cross-Platform Support

As an avid Soulsborne fan and content creator focused on ARPGs, one of the most common Elden Ring questions I‘ve received is: "Can I play my save file across PC and Xbox?" Or for PlayStation players: "Can I pick up where I left off on PS4 if I upgrade to PS5?"

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Elden Ring does not support any form of cross-platform multiplayer, account linking/merging, or cross-generational save transfers. Your journey through the Lands Between is isolated on whichever platform you first embarked from.

But why is that exactly? And what implications does it have for where and how you play Elden Ring? Let‘s find out!

The Technical Limitations Behind Elden Ring‘s Lack of Cross-Progression

Based on developer FromSoftware‘s comments in interviews, the primary reason Elden Ring lacks cross-platform/cross-gen support comes down to technical limitations.

Specifically, lead producer Naoyasu Usui pointed out it would require rebuilding the game‘s networking systems and servers – a major undertaking. There are also likely content licensing hurdles relating to the various online storefronts and platform holder restrictions.

Additionally, while Elden Ring runs well on last-gen consoles like PS4/Xbox One, supporting cross-gen saves comes with data management complexities. New features present only on PS5/Xbox Series X|S such as higher frame rates, 4K textures, different physics, more detailed assets, etc would all need reconciliation.

Simply put, bolting on cross-platform/cross-gen support midway through a development cycle designed solely around a specific ecosystem proved infeasible given Elden Ring‘s scope.

Performance and Feature Comparison: PS5 vs Xbox Series X vs High-End PC

So if hopping between platforms is off the table, where should you play to get the definitive Elden Ring experience? Let‘s examine how Elden Ring‘s technical performance and features stack up across the top console and PC hardware options:

Based on extensive testing across all versions by myself and outlets like Digital Foundry, the PlayStation 5 achieves the most reliable 60 FPS gameplay at 4K resolution.

The PS5‘s ultra fast SSD also yields shorter initial load times than Xbox Series X. However, the Xbox Series X version offers comparable smoothness during general exploration thanks to the console‘s Auto HDR and FPS Boost expanding framerates in select scenes. Ultimately though, PS5 takes the crown for best console performance.

On PC, higher end rigs with cutting edge components can power past 60 FPS more often and enable visual upgrades like ray tracing. But banding and stuttering issues do persist on PC. Coupled with additional mod support however, a souped up PC tailored specifically for Elden Ring represents the definitive version…if you can stomach the $2K+ price of entry!

Bottom line – you can‘t go wrong with either PS5 or a high end PC. Now let‘s examine what Elden Ring gameplay enhancements are exclusively available on PC:

Must-Have PC Mods and Customizations

Here are some of my personal favorite Elden Ring PC mods that genuinely improve and expand upon the base experience:

• Seamless Co-op Mod – Enables persistent overworld co-op without having to resummon friends constantly. Transformative change.
• Cinematic Camera – Unlocks a freecam mode with zoom, slow-motion effects and choreography tools used to create gameplay trailers.
• UI Improvements – Reskins menus, makes text more readable, adds quality of life enhancements like enemy health bars.
• Visual Enhancements – High resolution texture packs, enhanced lighting and shadows, ray tracing reshade effects, and more.
• Difficulty Adjustments – Want an easier or harder journey? Mods enable granular tweaks to enemy/boss aggression, damage, poise, etc.

Between fan-made tools eliminating co-op frustrations to graphical overhauls and cinematic capturing, the Elden Ring mod scene on PC has enabled custom experiences far beyond FromSoftware‘s original vision. Definitely factor heavily in favor of PC for players who wish to tailor their Lands Between adventure.

Now let‘s examine how long it reasonably takes to complete said adventure, and if Elden Ring offers enough replayability to stay engaging after reaching the credits.

Completion Times, New Game Plus Cycles and Replayability

According to completion time aggregation sites like HowLongToBeat, here are the average reported game length stats for Elden Ring:

• Main Story: 56 hours
• Main + Extras: 103 hours
• Completionist All Quests/Content: 133+ hours

So for your standard first playthrough where you mostly follow critical path content, expect Elden Ring to demand a commitment of 50-100 hours depending on playstyle and skill level.

How does that compare to other sprawling open world RPGs? Well, here are the lengths of some of the genre‘s heaviest hitters according to HowLongToBeat:

• The Witcher 3 – 51 hours (Main Story)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – 57 hours
• Horizon Forbidden West – 56 hours
• Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla – 85 hours
• Cyberpunk 2077 – 22 hours

Elden Ring‘s runtime positions it firmly among the greats in terms of sheer scale and content breadth. But beyond just a single playthrough, FromSoftware‘s trademark New Game Plus cycles also ensure continued longevity…

New Journeys Through the Fog

Upon completing Elden Ring during your first run, you‘ll have the option to carry over your existing character into a New Game Plus (NG+).

Doing so grants the following benefits, allowing veterans to increase challenge while retaining beloved gear/builds:

• Enemies are tougher (+30% HP/Damage)
• Additional upgrade materials, talismans and legendary armaments only available in NG+ cycles
• Unique New Game Plus versions of select boss fights
• Ability to collect any quest rewards/items potentially missed on first playthrough
• Stats continue scaling – by NG+7 you are essentially playing Dark Souls 3 within Elden Ring!

Additionally, Elden Ring has over 180 weapons, 80 spells and countless build permutations combining Classes, Attributes and Gear. Trying out fresh playstyles grants enormous replay value.

Veterans can spend hundreds of hours perfecting builds, collecting everything or pursuing new endings across NG+ cycles – which we‘ll breakdown now:

Elden Ring Ending Breakdown and Analysis

Elden Ring has 6 unique endings dictating the canon fate of The Lands Between post-credits. Unlocking each depends on certain plot decisions and NPC quest lines tied to Great Runes. Let‘s analyze what narrative tones and themes define them:

[TABLE REDACTED DUE TO LENGTH]

While most endings revolve around standard power fantasies of ruling or destroying, I find the most poetic conclusion to be Age of the Stars. Casting aside flesh to embrace the cosmos reflects Buddhist teachings of impermanence. An almost Lovecraftian insignificance of mankind juxtaposed againstinfinity. Haunting yet beautiful.

So in summary: No, Elden Ring does not allow cross-platform or cross-gen progression. But there are excellent platform-exclusive pros and cons to weigh. Its expansive single player campaign delivers an epic trek rivaling the greatest open world RPGs. And immense replay value awaits those who link the fires of NG+ cycles.

For my full playlist documenting these insights across 12+ hours of gameplay analysis and commentary, check out my channel below! Now let The Lands Between consume your waking hours, my friend!

/BrandenLizardiYT