While the announcement of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is a welcome step toward making challenging games more accessible to players who may not have access to high-end PCs or consoles, we must have an important conversation about the representation in these new classes. According to Famitsu, FromSoftware revealed at their Spring 2025 event the addition of 'Ides Knight' and 'Heavy Knight' as new starting classes, alongside new armors, weapons, Torrent customizations, and more—content that will also come to other platforms as the Tarnished Pack. As a white woman with privilege in gaming spaces, I must acknowledge that bringing this dark fantasy world to a portable platform could open doors for underrepresented players who game on the go, but only if the content doesn't perpetuate exclusionary tropes.

These new knight classes, while expanding player choice, appear steeped in traditional heavy-armored warrior archetypes that have long dominated FromSoftware's designs, often centering masculine, Eurocentric imagery without meaningful diversity in gender, body type, or cultural backgrounds. Famitsu images show selection screens for these classes, but there's no indication of inclusive customization options that could allow players from marginalized communities to see themselves reflected. This is problematic in 2025, especially as the industry faces calls to decolonize fantasy tropes and prioritize authentic representation.

Community reactions on Reddit and X are buzzing with excitement over the Switch 2 port and fresh content, with threads in r/Games and r/Eldenring speculating on class stats and lore implications. However, some voices are already flagging the need for better accessibility features beyond hardware—like options for color-blind modes or pronoun choices that aren't an afterthought. It's heartening to see the discourse evolving, but FromSoftware has a responsibility to ensure this edition doesn't leave marginalized gamers feeling like tarnished afterthoughts.

Ultimately, Tarnished Edition has the potential to thrill a broader audience if paired with commitments to equity. Let's hope the final product includes the diverse voices our community deserves.