How Many Brave Tarnished Actually Finish Elden Ring? The Numbers Behind the Legend
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The Lands Between are vast, unforgiving, and breathtaking. Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world RPG, has captivated millions. But amidst the stunning vistas and challenging encounters, a burning question remains: Just how many players actually manage to finish Elden Ring? The short answer is: somewhere between 37% to 50% of players complete Elden Ring, depending on the platform and data source. This means that over half of those who embark on the Tarnished’s journey never see the credits roll. Now let’s delve deeper into the numbers, the challenges, and the factors that contribute to this fascinating statistic.
Understanding the Completion Rate
The completion rate of Elden Ring is a complex topic influenced by several variables. Different platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Steam) track achievements or trophies differently, leading to varying percentages. Furthermore, data collection methods and player behavior introduce further nuances.
- Steam Achievements: Early data from Steam indicated that around 6% of players had achieved 100% completion, acquiring all achievements. The percentage of players who had completed the main story was around 37%.
- PlayStation Trophies: Push Square reported a higher completion rate on PlayStation, with approximately 7.9% of players earning the Platinum trophy (awarded for unlocking all other trophies).
- HowLongToBeat.com: This website, which relies on user-submitted data, suggested that nearly 6,000 users reported finishing the game in 2022 alone. This data is useful but may be skewed towards dedicated players who actively track their progress.
- Final Boss Achievement: Data suggests that less than 50% of players actually defeat the final boss. This data is consistent across platforms.
These figures give us a range to work with. While a definitive, universally accepted number remains elusive, it’s safe to assume that somewhere between 37% and 50% represents a reasonable estimate of Elden Ring’s completion rate.
Why is the Completion Rate Not Higher?
Given Elden Ring’s critical acclaim and commercial success, one might expect a higher completion rate. Several factors contribute to the relatively low percentage of players who see the end of the game:
- Difficulty: Elden Ring is notorious for its challenging gameplay. Its punishing boss battles, intricate combat mechanics, and unforgiving world can be overwhelming for some players.
- Time Commitment: As a massive open-world RPG, Elden Ring demands a significant time investment. Completing the main story alone can take upwards of 50 hours, while exploring all the content can easily push that number into the hundreds.
- Open-World Distractions: The freedom to explore The Lands Between is one of Elden Ring’s greatest strengths, but it can also be a curse. Players may get sidetracked by optional areas, quests, and activities, ultimately losing focus on the main objective.
- Frustration: Repeated deaths, confusing lore, and a lack of clear direction can lead to frustration and burnout, causing players to abandon the game altogether.
- Alternative Gaming Options: The sheer volume of games released means that players may simply move on to other titles before finishing Elden Ring.
The “Let Me Solo Her” Phenomenon
The difficulty of Elden Ring has also spawned some incredible player stories. A shining example is the legendary player known as “Let Me Solo Her“, or KleinTsuboiOW, who rose to fame by helping countless players defeat the notoriously difficult boss Malenia, Blade of Miquella. This act of selfless service highlights the supportive community that has formed around Elden Ring. He reportedly beat Malenia nearly 1,000 times, proving that perseverance and skill can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elden Ring Completion
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Elden Ring, its completion rate, and related topics.
1. What percentage of players have beaten Malenia?
Only around 31.7% of players on PlayStation 5 have defeated Malenia, one of the most challenging bosses in Elden Ring. This statistic further underscores the game’s difficulty.
2. Is Elden Ring the most-quit game of 2022?
According to data from HowLongToBeat.com, Elden Ring was reportedly the most-quit game of 2022, with approximately 261 users giving up on playing the game. However, this data is limited to users who log their playing habits on that specific website and may not represent the entire player base.
3. Who was the first person to 100% Elden Ring?
Elden Ring player RondogeRekt gained recognition for being among the first players to achieve 100% completion of Elden Ring. He shared his accomplishment on the game’s subreddit, garnering significant attention and praise.
4. What is the “meta level” for PvP in Elden Ring?
The generally accepted “meta level” for PvP (player versus player) duels in Elden Ring is level 125, though some players advocate for a slightly higher level, such as 150. This level allows for a diverse range of builds and playstyles while maintaining a reasonable level of challenge.
5. Is Elden Ring hard to 100%?
Yes, achieving true 100% completion in Elden Ring is incredibly challenging, and some argue that it’s technically impossible due to branching storylines and mutually exclusive choices. However, players can strive for near-complete exploration and achievement completion.
6. What happens when you reach level 99 in a stat?
99 is the hard cap for all stats in Elden Ring. You cannot level a stat past 99, and you cannot exceed 99 through equipment or buffs.
7. What’s the deal with stats exceeding 99?
Even if you were able to somehow surpass 99 on a certain statistic through items and equipment, the game will only read the value as 99 as a maximum.
8. Who is the most killed boss in Elden Ring?
Malenia, Blade of Miquella is by far the most killed boss in Elden Ring, amassing a total of 329 million attempts.
9. Who is the least defeated boss in Elden Ring?
The Dragonlord Placidusax, located in the Crumbling Farum Azula, is widely regarded as the least defeated boss in Elden Ring.
10. What level should I stop leveling in Elden Ring?
It depends on your goals. For PvP, stopping at level 125-150 is common. For PvE, you can level as much as you want, but diminishing returns kick in after certain soft caps for each stat (e.g., 40-60 Vigor).
11. Why do people stop leveling at 150 in Elden Ring?
Players typically stop leveling at 150 to facilitate co-op play and PvP. It’s a balance between having a powerful character and being able to connect with other players for online interactions.
12. Will there be DLC for Elden Ring?
The answer is yes! The DLC called “Shadow of the Erdtree” is officially coming to Elden Ring.
13. When should I stop leveling Vigor in Elden Ring?
Vigor has soft caps at 40 and 60. Leveling Vigor past 60 provides diminishing returns, so it’s generally wise to prioritize other stats after reaching that point.
14. How many times have players died in Elden Ring?
The Elden Ring community has died over nine billion times as of the game’s first anniversary.
15. What makes Elden Ring easier to play?
FromSoftware released a 1.04 update to Elden Ring that introduced shadow nerfs not listed in the patch notes.
Conclusion: A Testament to Challenge and Community
While the completion rate of Elden Ring may seem relatively low, it’s important to view it in context. The game’s difficulty, time commitment, and open-world nature all contribute to the numbers. Furthermore, the passionate community, exemplified by figures like “Let Me Solo Her,” demonstrates the enduring appeal of Elden Ring. The percentage of players who finish Elden Ring is a testament to the game’s challenging but rewarding nature. It shows that even in the face of adversity, many brave Tarnished are willing to forge their own legends in The Lands Between.
You can learn more about the impact of games on society and education at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of gaming and learning.