Eurogamer staff play Elden Ring on Switch 2 and surprise LOTR remaster
Writers Kelsey and Bertie discuss handheld performance and unexpected ports in the latest 'What We've Been Playing' feature.
Eurogamer writers Kelsey and Bertie shared their current gaming rotations in the August 29th edition of the site's recurring 'What We've Been Playing' series. The update highlights a mix of high-profile titles on new hardware and an unexpected return to Middle-earth.
Kelsey reports playing Elden Ring on the Nintendo Switch 2. While the experience is not without technical flaws—specifically noting the presence of some frame drops—Kelsey highlighted the versatility of the hardware. The ability to transition seamlessly between docked and handheld modes was cited as a significant benefit to the gameplay experience.
Meanwhile, Bertie has been spending time with a surprise remastered edition of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North on the PlayStation 5. Bertie praised the atmospheric recreation of the LOTR world and specifically lauded the split-screen co-op experience, which allows for local multiplayer play.
The nature of the series
'What We've Been Playing' serves as a personal window into the habits of the Eurogamer staff. Unlike standard reviews or previews, the series focuses on first-person anecdotes and impressions. The writers discuss games regardless of their release date, often blending current blockbusters with older titles or niche remasters that may not have received a traditional marketing push.
Industry implications
The mention of Elden Ring running on a 'Switch 2' is particularly notable, as it suggests the existence of new hardware capabilities that allow for the porting of demanding titles like FromSoftware's open-world epic. Similarly, the appearance of a 'surprise-remastered' version of War in the North indicates a trend toward reviving older, less-celebrated titles for modern consoles. This sentiment was echoed by Bertie, who suggested a shift in remastering philosophy, stating, "Forget the classics: remaster the duds."
What to watch
While these experiences were shared in a casual, first-person context, they point toward a broader landscape of unpublicized software and hardware releases. It remains to be seen if these titles will receive wider official announcements or if they represent a specific wave of stealth releases targeting enthusiast audiences. For now, the focus remains on the practical utility of handheld gaming and the enduring appeal of cooperative atmospheric adventures.