Lords of the Fallen vs Elden Ring – Differences and similarities

When Lords of the Fallen was first shown, many thought it was DLC or a sequel to Elden Ring due to their similar appearance. However, this is not the case, with the two being from different studios. But fans still compare the two, and we've broken down what you can expect to be similar and different between Lords of the Fallen and Elden Ring.

Lords of the Fallen vs Elden Ring - Which is better?

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your preference. Elden Ring can be considered one of the greatest souls-like games and FromSoftware's best entry. Meanwhile, Lords of the Fallen aims to do things differently and should give players a wide range of options on how they approach the combat and dual worlds. It has high competition, but Lords of the Fallen puts its own spin on the genre, making it stand out compared to Elden Ring. Check out the similarities and differences below to make your decision.

Lords of the Fallen and Elden Ring similarities

The most obvious similarity is the souls-like gameplay of Elden Ring and Lords of the Fallen. Elden Ring is developed by FromSoftware, the king of the genre, while Lords of the Fallen is by new studio Hexworks. Each game has differences in how combat works, but you can expect strict enemy patterns and tight action. Players have options for melee or magic builds depending on their preference.

Related: Is Lords of the Fallen on Game Pass?

Enemy designs and the world also have similar looks, featuring dark and twisted creatures, frightening humanoids, and giant monsters. The aesthetics for both are heavily gothic fantastic with a gloomy world-ending aesthetic. Those who enjoyed Elden Ring will feel right at home with Lords of the Fallen as they fight their way through a massive world filled with danger.

Another similarity is the increased accessibility in both games. Elden Ring incorporated more accessibility, including manual saves, making getting into the game easier. Lords of the Fallen follows suit and has similar accessibility options. Hexworks was directly inspired by the choices Elden Ring made when designing Lords of the Fallen to be more accessible and approachable.

Related: How to install the Elden Ring ‘Easy Mode’ mod

Both games feature PvP through invasions, in which players can duke it out by invading one another's games. These features can be turned off, but invasions are a core aspect of souls-like games. Having PvP allows fans of this feature to test their skills against other players, and not just the AI, but being able to turn it off keeps it from being forced on other players.

Lords of the Fallen and Elden Ring differences

One of the main differences is how Lords of the Fallen and Elden Ring approach their worlds. Elden Ring offers an open world for players to explore—a first for souls-likes, and a change many fans enjoyed. Exploration was a huge part of Elden Ring, and is why the open world worked so well; it allowed players to tackle challenges and bosses in different orders and various playthroughs.

Lords of the Fallen favors the approach of older entries, featuring a semi-open world with tighter levels and are more linear with hidden paths. However, it also has a unique twist where when you die in Axiom, you are transported to Umbral, the dark side of the world. Players can willingly explore this area, but it contains greater dangers than the world of Axiom.

Co-op is included in both games but functions differently. Lords of the Fallen provides seamless co-op where you can play through the entire game together, dropping in and out at any time. Elden Ring still has co-op but is more limited in how you can explore; it is primarily used in boss fights.

For more information on Lords of the Fallen, check out How to get the Dark Crusader class in Lords of the Fallen and Is Lords of the Fallen co-op? on Pro Game Guides.