PS Plus Elden Ring Rival Targets a FromSoftware Pain Point

GAMINGbible recently published a first-person column claiming that a new addition to PlayStation Plus, aimed as a competitor to Elden Ring, addresses the writer’s biggest issue with FromSoftware’s work. However, the article doesn’t name the game or specify the complaint. We won’t speculate about either.

This lack of detail is important. The headline presents an opinion, not a definitive feature comparison, and the supporting evidence lies within the full column. Until more information is available, consider it one writer’s perspective.

The comparison highlights just how high Elden Ring’s standards are. It boasts a Metacritic score of 95 and a 93% positive rating from 573,741 reviews on Steam. Even more impressive, over four years after its February 25, 2022 release, it still attracts 24,445 concurrent players on Steam.

Any game promoted as an Elden Ring competitor has to match those impressive metrics. A spot on PS Plus gives a rival access to a ready-made audience of subscribers who can play it at no extra cost. In comparison, Elden Ring is priced at $59.99 on Steam.

Even among Elden Ring fans, opinions vary on what FromSoftware could improve. Players have pointed out issues like combat balance, repeated assets later in the game, and the studio’s notoriously tough difficulty. A column like this one reminds us that every critic has their unique list of complaints, and the writer’s specific issue remains unverified in this case.

Elden Ring also consistently stays relevant in the gaming news. Recent updates include patch notes from August 27, 2026, and revised PC system requirements, indicating that player interest remains strong and any new challenger will have to contend with that.

By The Numbers

Elden Ring Metacritic score	95
Steam reviews	93% positive (573,741 reviews)
Current Steam players	24,445
Release date	February 25, 2022
Steam price	$59.99

Community Pulse

The community’s sentiment around Elden Ring is generally positive across 10 tracked indicators, though the praise comes with some qualifications. One Steam reviewer described it as “perfect if you want to experience what hell feels like while being on earth, 10/10.” Another reviewer took a more balanced approach, stating: “good game but combat can be better, and a lot of reused assets at the end.” These mixed reactions demonstrate how a rival can target specific frustrations and still attract an audience.

What To Watch

• An official PlayStation Plus announcement that shares the game’s title, release date, and which subscription tier it will be included in.
• Initial review scores and player counts on Steam or PlayStation for the rival game, compared to Elden Ring’s 95 Metacritic score and 24,445 concurrent players.
• Whether the main complaint from the column resonates with other critics or players, and if FromSoftware addresses similar criticisms in future updates.