Few games in the modern era have left as lasting an impression as Elden Ring. FromSoftware’s genre-defining action RPG — created in collaboration with George R.R. Martin — has earned its place as a modern classic. While many players have long since completed their first journey through The Lands Between, there’s never been a better time to start over. With Nightreign on the horizon and new gameplay perspectives to explore, 2025 presents a golden opportunity to dive back in.
Why Returning to Elden Ring Still Feels Fresh
Even if you’ve already sunk hundreds of hours into Elden Ring, there’s still plenty left to discover. The game is deliberately designed to encourage multiple playthroughs — not just to experience its different endings, but to unlock its true gameplay potential.
The Game Was Never Meant to Be One-and-Done
Compared to linear titles like Dark Souls 3 or Bloodborne, Elden Ring may feel less replayable at first glance due to its sprawling world and slower pacing. Exploring the same vast regions repeatedly can become a grind. However, beneath the surface, Elden Ring offers more replay value than almost any FromSoftware game before it.
- Build diversity is massive, with dozens of weapons, spells, and Ashes of War that dramatically alter combat.
- New Game Plus allows for experimentation without the early-game limitations on gear and resources.
- Multiple endings provide fresh narrative arcs, with distinct philosophical and story implications.
With so many mechanical systems working in tandem — from talisman loadouts to weapon affinity paths — every playthrough can feel radically different. What might have been a sorcery-heavy glass cannon build in your first run could become a Greatshield tank on your second, or a dex-based bleed machine in your third.
Nightreign Is Around the Corner
There’s another reason to consider restarting your journey through The Lands Between: the upcoming release of Elden Ring: Nightreign. This standalone cooperative roguelike is expected to launch in May 2025 and offers a completely new take on the Elden Ring formula.
What We Know About Nightreign
Set in the mysterious and procedurally generated realm of Limveld, Nightreign introduces pre-defined characters with fixed builds, forcing players to adapt their playstyle. It’s an ambitious shift from the open-ended RPG structure of the base game, and while it offers something new, it will almost certainly benefit from a player’s existing familiarity with FromSoftware’s signature mechanics.
- Procedural world design will encourage tactical flexibility and quick adaptation.
- Cooperative gameplay is a central feature, emphasizing teamwork in a more controlled environment.
- Knowledge of the base game — including enemy patterns, combat rhythm, and healing cadence — will offer a competitive edge.
Returning to the original game now can help you refine those skills, particularly if it’s been a while since you last fought a Crucible Knight or evaded a Tree Sentinel’s charge.
The Game’s Legacy Is Still Growing
Despite some criticisms — such as repeated mini-boss designs and pacing issues in the late game — Elden Ring remains a landmark release. Over time, what may have seemed like shortcomings have become part of a broader conversation around game design, player freedom, and narrative abstraction. No other game gives you quite as much agency while still wrapping it all in a world dripping with mood, mystery, and menace.
Reasons to Revisit in 2025
- Explore alternate builds and playstyles that you may have skipped on your first playthrough.
- Experience different endings and discover their unique story implications.
- Sharpen your skills in preparation for Nightreign’s challenge-heavy roguelike design.
- Engage with a still-active community that continues to unearth hidden secrets and strategies.
The Lands Between Still Beckon
Three years on, Elden Ring hasn’t faded — it’s matured. Its systems continue to be dissected, its world still inspires awe, and its influence on modern gaming only grows stronger. Whether you’re a returning veteran or someone who never quite made it to the Erdtree, now is the time to step back into the unknown. You might find that Elden Ring isn’t just worth revisiting — it’s more compelling the second (or third) time around.
