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Is Elden Ring the Largest Game Ever? A Deep Dive into Open-World Size and Scope

No, Elden Ring is not the largest game ever made, at least not in terms of pure map size. While its 30.5 square miles (79 square kilometers) open world is substantial and densely packed, many other games boast significantly larger explorable areas. The game excels, however, in the density and detail of its world, creating a captivating and unforgettable experience that rivals and even surpasses many games with far larger maps. Let’s explore what makes Elden Ring’s size so compelling and compare it to other contenders in the open-world genre.

Measuring “Largest”: More Than Just Square Miles

The concept of “largest game ever” is multifaceted. Do we measure by physical map size, the number of explorable locations, the amount of content, or the sheer number of hours it takes to complete? While Elden Ring may not top the charts in raw square mileage, it excels in other metrics, notably:

Density: Elden Ring’s world is brimming with secrets, dungeons, enemies, NPCs, and points of interest at every turn.
Verticality: The game world extends both upwards (mountains, castles) and downwards (underground areas, catacombs), adding a layer of complexity to the explorable space.
Design: The environment is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, making exploration rewarding and visually stunning.

These factors combined contribute to a feeling of immense scale, even if the actual map size is smaller than some competitors. The world of Elden Ring feels truly alive, and the constant discovery of new content enhances the player’s sense of adventure. This design philosophy contrasts sharply with some larger open-world games where vast expanses of land feel empty or repetitive.

Elden Ring vs. the Open-World Giants

Let’s compare Elden Ring’s map size to some of the titans in the open-world genre:

Skyrim: Around 15 square miles (39 square kilometers), significantly smaller than Elden Ring.
Grand Theft Auto 5: Approximately 49 square miles (127 square kilometers), bigger than Elden Ring but arguably less dense.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Roughly 84 square miles (217 square kilometers), larger than Elden Ring, with a focus on narrative-driven quests.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Approximately 90 square miles (233 square kilometers), featuring a large but somewhat less detailed map.
No Man’s Sky/Minecraft: Theoretically infinite due to procedural generation, but lacking the handcrafted detail of Elden Ring.

As you can see, Elden Ring falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. It’s considerably larger than some classic open-world titles like Skyrim but significantly smaller than behemoths like No Man’s Sky and Minecraft. It is the deliberate world design, however, that sets Elden Ring apart.

The Secret of Elden Ring’s Immersion

FromSoftware’s design choices play a crucial role in making Elden Ring feel so massive and captivating.

Limited Fast Travel (Early Game): Encourages exploration and familiarization with the landscape.
Open-Ended Progression: Players are free to tackle challenges in almost any order, leading to varied experiences.
Hidden Areas and Secrets: The world is full of surprises, rewarding players who venture off the beaten path.
Challenging Combat: Every encounter is a test of skill, making exploration feel risky and rewarding.
Atmosphere and Lore: The game’s dark fantasy setting and intriguing lore create a sense of mystery and wonder.

These elements combine to create a game world that feels both vast and intricately detailed, drawing players in and keeping them engaged for hundreds of hours. The emphasis on exploration, discovery, and challenging gameplay is a hallmark of FromSoftware’s titles, and it’s a major reason why Elden Ring has resonated with so many players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Elden Ring’s Size

1. Is Elden Ring bigger than Skyrim?

Yes, Elden Ring’s map is significantly larger than Skyrim’s. Elden Ring boasts approximately 30.5 square miles compared to Skyrim’s 15 square miles.

2. Which game has the largest map ever?

While subjective, considering its limitations, Minecraft’s world is the largest, being procedurally generated to an enormous scale (theoretically, about eight times the size of Earth). No Man’s Sky is also procedurally generated and incredibly large.

3. How long does it take to beat Elden Ring?

A playthrough focused on the main objectives of Elden Ring takes around 58 hours. Completing everything in the game, including all side quests and bosses, can easily exceed 133 hours or more.

4. Is Elden Ring harder than Skyrim?

Yes, Elden Ring is significantly harder than Skyrim. Elden Ring features challenging combat mechanics, demanding boss fights, and a steep learning curve.

5. What are the storage requirements for Elden Ring?

Elden Ring requires approximately 60 GB of available storage space on your PC or console.

6. What games are bigger than Elden Ring in terms of map size?

Games with larger maps than Elden Ring include: No Man’s Sky, Minecraft, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Arma 3, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, among others.

7. Why is Elden Ring so good?

Elden Ring’s success stems from its challenging yet rewarding gameplay, deep lore, stunning visuals, and immersive open world. The combination of these elements creates a unique and unforgettable gaming experience.

8. Is Dark Souls 3 better than Elden Ring?

Whether Dark Souls 3 is “better” than Elden Ring is subjective and depends on personal preference. Some players prefer the more linear, interconnected world of Dark Souls 3, while others prefer the open-world exploration of Elden Ring. Both are considered excellent games.

9. Is Elden Ring endless?

Elden Ring is not technically endless, as it has a definitive ending. However, after completing the game, players can start a New Game Plus, allowing them to replay the game with their character and equipment, effectively creating a continuous cycle of gameplay.

10. Did Hogwarts Legacy outsell Elden Ring?

While there was initial buzz about sales figures, Hogwarts Legacy and Elden Ring both continue to perform incredibly well, with fluctuating sales and different metrics making a direct comparison difficult to definitively call.

11. How many times bigger is Elden Ring than Skyrim?

Elden Ring’s map is more than twice the size of Skyrim’s map.

12. How many bosses are in Elden Ring?

There are approximately 238 boss encounters in Elden Ring, including major and minor bosses.

13. Why is the Elden Ring map so detailed?

The Elden Ring map is densely packed with points of interest to provide players with a constant sense of exploration and discovery. It is also intentionally designed to not fully reveal itself, encouraging players to venture into the unknown.

14. What is the smallest open-world game ever?

Several games compete for the title of the smallest open-world game, but Courageous Perseus is a strong contender, with a map size of only 0.1 square miles.

15. How does Elden Ring promote learning?

While not explicitly educational, Elden Ring fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance. Players must learn from their mistakes, adapt to challenges, and strategically overcome obstacles. For more information on how games like Elden Ring can promote learning, visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While Elden Ring may not be the “largest game ever” in terms of raw square mileage, its meticulously crafted open world, packed with secrets, challenging encounters, and captivating lore, creates an unparalleled sense of scale and immersion. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design over sheer size, demonstrating that a dense and engaging world can be far more impactful than a vast but empty one. The combination of challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and a sense of mystery have cemented Elden Ring as a modern classic.

Is Elden Ring the largest game ever?