Dive into the enchanting universe of Elden Ring, where every corner of its expansive landscape – from concealed caverns to towering fortresses and from distinctive monuments to hauntingly beautiful vistas – beckons players towards a captivating journey that grows more intricate with every step taken. This majestic setting, known as The Lands Between, is a compelling mix of myth and mystery, spurring more questions than explanations regarding its origin and lore. 

As part of our investigation, we will delve deep into the rich tapestry of Elden Ring’s lore, examine the intricacies of its world-building, and explore the unique geographical features and landmarks that define its breathtakingly expansive landscape. Our exploration aims to unravel the fascinating enigma of Elden Ring’s setting, providing valuable insight into the world that forms the backdrop for this highly anticipated action RPG. 

Brace yourself as we venture into the captivating world of Elden Ring, shedding light on the hidden depths of The Lands Between.

Where Elden Ring Takes Place

Elden Ring takes place in a mysterious world known as The Lands Between. 

The Lands Between is an immense territory ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal. Far before the starting point of the game, The Land Between was watched over by The Greater Will, a being of great power responsible for the creation of the Elden Ring and the Golden Order of the Erdtree. 

“Queen Marika the Eternal was chosen as the champion of the Greater Will and also as the Elden Ring’s Vessel. With the blessing of the Greater Will, she ruled the Lands Between as its eternal queen for eons, with her male part Radagon leading her armies and spreading the Golden Order.That was until the death of her firstborn Godwyn, at the hands of Ranni and her “accomplices”, when out of grief she became dissatisfied with her benefactor and chose to betray the Greater Will by shattering the Elden Ring.” – Elden Ring Wiki

Following the destruction of the Elden Ring, the constituent lands were separated into six vast territories each ruled by a demigod figure. 

Though this new land’s origins are unclear from the start, much like FromSoftware’s other titles, the lore and story are communicated through veiled clues revealed through NPC conversations and the descriptions of various items found throughout. 

How Big Are The Lands Between?

The Lands Between, the expansive world in Elden Ring, offers an unparalleled scale compared to previous titles from FromSoftware. This colossal map gives the impression of an infinite landscape, richly textured with diverse ecosystems.

One of the notable features of Elden Ring is the transition to an open-world environment while maintaining the soul-like gameplay that FromSoftware is known for. This has been achieved with the world map’s integral role in creating a seamless and immersive experience.

The intricately woven design of The Lands Between adds another layer of depth and intrigue to the gameplay. As players journey through the game, they’ll find an interconnected network of various locations, interconnected in ways that defy initial perception. This labyrinthine structure adds an extra dimension of exploration and discovery, with alternative paths opening up, connecting areas that once seemed separate.

The topographical variety of The Lands Between is nothing short of impressive. From the snow-capped peaks that pierce the sky to the dense, enigmatic forests that shroud hidden paths and from serene lake beds to complex underground cave systems, this expansive world is a complex puzzle that even seasoned gamers may find challenging to unravel. This vast and meticulously detailed world offers endless exploration and sets the stage for an epic adventure in Elden Ring.

Are The Elden Ring And Dark Souls Universes The Same?

Since Elden Ring was announced, fans of FromSoftware have speculated that the game’s main story will tie into the main plot of the company’s other successful franchise Dark Souls. 

Following Elden Ring’s major release, these opinions continued to gain traction due to intersecting references and similarities in gameplay and mechanics.  Although the connection between the games hasn’t been fully confirmed, Miyazaki stated in a roundtable interview for E3 2015 that Dark Souls 3 will not be the “Final” game in the Souls series. 

This leaves Elden Rings’s connection slightly up in the air as far as its connection to the original series. 

On the other side of the argument, the Elden Ring lore was also created with the help of George R. R. Martin, fantasy novelist and author of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, which was adapted into the award-winning television show, Game of Thrones.

In an essential interview following a significant update on the status of Elden Ring, George R. R. Martin can be quoted stating that his efforts with writing for Elden Ring were intended to be a “Sequel to the Dark Souls series”. 

Though there was little to no follow-up on this statement, it is up for interpretation whether that was the truth or a misunderstanding of the original concept. In typical From Software fashion, the world may never know.

Does Elden Ring Take Place In Ohio?

Upon Elden Ring’s public release, a handful of unknown users began to develop jokes relating the vast desolate landscape of the Worlds Between to another area in the real world that they found to be similar, the great state of Ohio in the United States. 

The unknown pranksters took it one step further by logging on as an editor for the Wikipedia article on Elden Ring and changing its official setting to the Buckeye State itself. 

Though this change was short-lived, it did not take long for users on Twitter and other social media platforms to notice. The result is a multitude of memes and short videos comparing the two locations in exciting and creative ways. 

This new Soulslike has Reddit teeming with memes… 

Seeing the development of this meme only leaves me waiting to find out what the next treasured Elden Ring meme trend will be.