Recently, Japanese media outlet Famitsu released a hands-on review of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Switch 2, praising its excellent performance. This title is a complete collection integrating the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, scheduled to launch on the Switch 2 platform on August 28.
The editor noted that it was hard to imagine such a major title running smoothly on a hybrid console with handheld mode, but the actual experience exceeded expectations. Whether in TV mode or handheld mode, the overall gameplay feel remains consistent with other platform versions. There is no significant discomfort in handheld mode, though the grip and control feel slightly different from using a controller; a short adjustment period allows for normal play. Exploring the Lands Between while lying in bed becomes a unique advantage of this version. Fast travel loading times are slightly slower than on PS5, roughly comparable to the PS4 version. TV mode also supports gyro controls with the Pro Controller, which can be disabled in the settings.
The game adds various new content, including two new starting classes: the Knight of Edith, geared towards a dexterity-based swordsman, and the Heavy Knight, who starts with a full set of heavy armor, focusing on strength and endurance. A new Leotier equipment set has also been added, featuring a greatsword with an exclusive matador-style skill. Additionally, players can now change the appearance of their spectral steed, Torrent, at Sites of Grace, including an外观 resembling the Tree Sentinel's warhorse. These additions are not exclusive to Switch 2; other platforms will receive them on the same day as a paid DLC called the "Tarnished Pack."
The editor believes this version is very friendly to players who have never experienced the game before. While some online players appreciate the convenience of handheld play, others remain skeptical about the console's hardware performance and have concerns about frame rate stability. This hands-on preview was still based on a development build, so the final performance will need to be verified after the official release.