At Gamescom 2025, attendees got their first hands-on with Elden Ring on the highly anticipated Switch 2, and let's just say it wasn't the smooth ride everyone hoped for. Imagine the Lands Between, that vast open world filled with dragons and demigods, trying to squeeze into a handheld device—it's like stuffing a giant into a tiny closet, and boy, does it show. Early impressions from demo stations revealed significant performance hiccups, with frame rates dropping faster than a clumsy Tarnished off a cliff. While other titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Intergrade reportedly handled the Switch 2 with finesse, Elden Ring seemed to be tripping over its own feet, leaving players and critics scratching their heads. Honestly, it's a bit of a mess out there, folks. 😅

Frame Rate Fiasco: The Switch 2's Achilles' Heel

Reports from multiple outlets, including Nintendo Life and IGN, painted a grim picture: Elden Ring on the Switch 2 suffers from frequent frame drops and stuttering, especially in wide-open areas. Nintendo Life noted that their tester experienced "multiple instances of frame drops after leaving the tutorial area," while IGN highlighted how simply panning the camera in expansive zones could slow the game to a crawl. It's as if the game, in handheld mode, was gasping for breath—poor thing can't keep up with its own ambitions.

Here's a quick breakdown of the key issues reported:

• Open-world struggles: Frame rates plummet when exploring vast landscapes.

• Camera movements: Even basic actions like looking around cause noticeable lag.

• Demo limitations: Previewers couldn't capture footage, hinting at unpolished code—talk about hiding the evidence!

And in a game where split-second reactions are crucial to avoid getting skewered by a boss, this kind of performance is a big no-no. Frankly, it's no shocker; Elden Ring, that once-mighty warrior, seems to be stumbling on the Switch 2 battlefield. 🤺

What People Are Asking: Burning Questions About Elden Ring on Switch 2

As the buzz builds, players have been flooding forums with queries. Here's a taste of the People Also Ask section that's got everyone talking:

• Will the frame rate issues be fixed before launch? Given the game's history, it's possible—but don't hold your breath.

• Is this problem exclusive to handheld mode? Early signs suggest docking might help, but that's speculation for now.

• Why is Elden Ring struggling when other games run smoothly? The sheer scale of the open world might be overwhelming the hardware—it's like asking a bicycle to tow a truck.

To put it in perspective, let's compare Elden Ring's Switch 2 woes to its past and peers:

Aspect	Elden Ring on Switch 2	Elden Ring on PC (Initial)	Final Fantasy 7 on Switch 2
Frame Rate Stability	Unstable, frequent drops	Poor at launch	Rumored smooth
Stuttering Issues	Yes, in open areas	Yes, patched later	Minimal
Optimization Status	Demo concerns	Improved with updates	Demo praised

Déjà Vu All Over Again: History Repeats Itself

This isn't Elden Ring's first rodeo with performance troubles. Back at its PC debut, it ran so badly that players resorted to mods just to make it playable—like slapping a band-aid on a broken leg. Most of those glitches were eventually patched, offering a glimmer of hope for the Switch 2 version. But fast forward to April's Nintendo Direct in 2025, and choppy frame rates were already on full display in the trailer, especially during scenes of the player riding through Limgrave. Four months later, with the demo still showing similar woes, it's concerning that not much has changed.

The game feels like an old friend with a new limp—once fierce, now faltering. With only a few months left until release, From Software faces a tough climb. Can they optimize this behemoth in time? Or is the Switch 2 simply not cut out for such epic adventures? The console, bless its heart, might be biting off more than it can chew. After all, cramming Elden Ring into a handheld is ambitious, to say the least—it's a recipe for disaster unless someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat. 🎩

Open-Ended Musings: What Lies Ahead?

As 2025 rolls on, the big question isn't just about fixes—it's about the balance between ambition and reality. Will From Software conjure up some magic to smooth out the kinks, or will this port become a cautionary tale of pushing hardware too far? And for players, it sparks deeper thoughts: In an era where open-world games keep expanding, how do developers ensure they don't outpace the tech? Elden Ring's journey on the Switch 2 might end up teaching us all a lesson about the limits of innovation. So, what do you think—can this troubled Tarnished find redemption, or is it doomed to lag forever? The answer, much like the Lands Between, remains shrouded in mystery. 🤔