Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 offers a fresh way to explore the Lands Between
The Switch 2 port of Elden Ring, called the Tarnished Edition, includes the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. The review highlights that the open-world game works well on the hybrid console, allowing for portable play sessions. It's the same experience that captivated players in 2022, but the platform makes it a compelling option.
The Tarnished Edition bundles the complete Elden Ring experience, pairing the 2022 base game with its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. FromSoftware is also preparing The Duskbloods, a competitive multiplayer title exclusive to the Switch 2, signaling the studio's growing commitment to Nintendo's platform. The reviewer notes that open-world games have historically thrived on hybrid consoles, citing Breath of the Wild as a precedent.
Performance on the Switch 2 is described as serviceable rather than spectacular, with the reviewer spending roughly ten hours with the port. They found the early-game difficulty still punishing, recounting deaths at the hands of a mounted gladiator and slow progress leveling an astrologer character. Despite technical compromises, the port's portability appears to be its strongest selling point.
This release could expand Elden Ring's audience to Switch 2 owners who missed the 2022 phenomenon, potentially introducing a demanding action-RPG to players more accustomed to Nintendo's family-friendly catalog. The port's success may influence how other developers approach bringing large-scale titles to hybrid hardware, though its impact depends on whether performance issues deter newcomers. It could also reinforce the Switch 2's positioning as a home for ambitious third-party games.