Nintendo's Switch 2 is proving to be a more powerful handheld than initially anticipated, with publishers already working to bring demanding titles to the platform. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is a prime example of this ambition, offering a port of FromSoftware's critically acclaimed action RPG. Initial impressions suggest the game runs acceptably, though it is not without its compromises.
During a ten-hour playthrough, covering areas such as the Weeping Peninsula, Stormveil Castle, and Liurnia of the Lakes, the game largely maintained a playable state. For players new to Elden Ring, the reported 30 frames per second and slightly longer loading times may not be a significant hurdle. However, for those accustomed to the smooth 60 FPS experience on PC, the transition requires some adjustment. The control scheme, with its familiar button layout on the Switch 2's Joy-Cons, initially felt alien, with 'A' mapped to dodge and 'X' for interaction, a change from typical PC controller configurations.
Performance and Gameplay Experience
By the time players reach Stormveil Castle and face bosses like Margit and Godrick, the focus on frame rate tends to diminish. Adjustments to dodging timing and charging heavy attacks become second nature. While minor frame drops were noted when traversing Liurnia of the Lakes, the overall visual fidelity remained impressive, closely mirroring the PC version. In docked mode, the game generally runs smoothly, provided players adapt to the lower frame rate.
However, the game is not entirely without its performance issues. Encounters with more agile enemies, such as the Red Wolf of Radagon in Liurnia, highlighted some of the Switch 2's limitations. During this fight, significant frame drops were observed, particularly when the wolf employed its magical attacks. These dips made survival challenging, leading to reliance on ranged combat options like the Reduvia Dagger's weapon art. Subsequent boss encounters, like Rennala, proved to be smoother experiences, comparable to earlier fights.
Concerns for Future Content
The port also introduces two new starting classes, including a new Light Greatsword, offering incentives for replays. Despite the promising start, there are concerns about how later bosses, particularly those in the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, will perform. Bosses like Divine Beast Dancing Lion and Messmer the Impaler are known for their speed, and if the Red Wolf of Radagon caused frame drops, these more intense encounters could prove problematic.
The most significant concern is for the DLC's final boss, Promised Consort Radahn. This fight is notoriously demanding, challenging both player skill and hardware. Given that even a powerful PC can struggle with the sheer number of gravity-based attacks, the performance of the Switch 2 during this encounter remains a major question mark. Time will tell how well the Tarnished Edition holds up as players venture deeper into The Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow.