Elden Ring Finally Returns Next Month With New Expansion

Jul 12, 2026 - 10:03

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Elden Ring Finally Returns Next Month With New Expansion

Elden Ring Marika close up from final cut scene

Published Jul 12, 2026, 12:30 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

Since its launch back in 2022, Elden Ring has firmly cemented itself as one of the greatest video games of all time. Praised for its worldbuilding, open-world map, characters, lore, and challenging combat, many consider it to be FromSoftware's best game yet, which is all the more impressive considering it is the studio behind the likes of Dark Souls and Bloodborne.

You need only look around to see the impact that Elden Ring has had since its launch. Not only did it welcome an award-winning DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, but it has also since inspired a spin-off roguelike in the shape of Elden Ring: Nightreign, and even an upcoming live-action movie.

In the meantime, fans are hoping for more content set in the stunning Lands Between, and with many believing that a potential Elden Ring sequel may be on the cards, only time will tell to see if our story as the Elden Lord will continue.

However, until then, there is another exciting launch for Elden Ring fans to look forward to, and it launches in just a few weeks' time. Yes, I am talking about Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition.

Arriving on all platforms on 28 August, including the Nintendo Switch 2, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will launch alongside the original game, while also including the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, new armor, new classes, and even a new look for our loyal steed, Torrent.

Expected to cost around $79.99, it is not a cheap purchase, but if you already own a copy of Elden Ring on your chosen platform, it is expected that you will not need to pay full price to upgrade to the Tarnished Edition.

There is no doubt that the major pull of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, at least for those who have already played Elden Ring, is the brand-new classes. The two new starting classes include the Heavy Knight and Knight of Ides, with the former catering to more melee-centered builds, whilst the latter is a medium-armor knight who combines melee abilities with faith and dexterity. Additionally, there will reportedly be three to four exclusive armor sets, including gear reminiscent of Lucatiel from Dark Souls II.

Elden Ring Malenia art from trailer HDR-1

Following the news of the upcoming launch of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, fans took to r/Eldenring to share their thoughts.

"I’m excited for Switch users. But it’s a nothing sandwich for everyone else," one comment read. Whilst another added,

"I think it's super great that the PS4 still gets an update for Elden Ring. As someone who can't afford a PS5 yet, I really appreciate FromSoftware for continuing to optimize the game on the older console."

Put simply, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is not a must-buy for Elden Ring fans as the base game and experience will be pretty much the same. However, if you wish to try out the game on the Nintendo Switch 2, or just want to make use of the new features and cosmetics, this may be the perfect purchase for you.