Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring’s Legacy: Setting the Stage for Shadow of the Erdtree

To understand the significance of Shadow of the Erdtree, it’s essential to revisit Elden Ring’s roots. Released in February 2022, Elden Ring was the brainchild of Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. The game combined Miyazaki’s knack for designing punishing, cryptic worlds with Martin’s narrative brilliance, creating a world steeped in myth, power struggles, and ancient curses.

Set in the sprawling Lands Between, the game featured a non-linear narrative where players, as a Tarnished, sought to reclaim their honor and ascend to power. Its world design encouraged exploration, with hidden treasures, deadly foes, and environmental storytelling at every turn. Locations like the Academy of Raya Lucaria, Caelid’s scarlet rot-infested wastelands, and the towering Erdtree became landmarks in modern gaming.

FromSoftware has a stellar history with DLCs. Expansions like The Old Hunters (Bloodborne) and The Ringed City (Dark Souls III) added rich layers of content, often rivaling the base games in quality. With such a legacy, the expectations for Shadow of the Erdtree were immense—and it delivers on multiple fronts.

The Story of Shadow of the Erdtree: Unveiling the Shadows

The Erdtree, a towering symbol of order and power, is central to the Lands Between. However, its roots harbor ancient secrets and curses, buried deep within its shadow. Shadow of the Erdtree explores these darker elements, offering players a chance to uncover forgotten lore tied to this monumental tree.

The story begins after the events of the base game, delving into the aftermath of the Tarnished’s rise to power. Players find themselves in a haunting new realm, shrouded in mystery. A desolate wheat field, overgrown with tangled roots and drenched in shadow, serves as the entry point to this expansion.

Central to the story is a spectral rider, a mysterious figure whose identity is tied to the secrets of the Erdtree. The narrative explores themes of duality—light versus shadow, life versus decay—and invites players to question the very foundations of the Lands Between’s order.

Expanding the Lands Between: New Regions to Explore

Shadow of the Erdtree introduces vast new regions, pushing the boundaries of Elden Ring’s already expansive world. These areas are both beautiful and foreboding, blending FromSoftware’s signature environmental storytelling with breathtaking visuals.

Key locations include:

• The Golden Fields: A sprawling area of wheat fields and ruins, tinged with an eerie glow. The land feels alive with echoes of past conflicts, inviting players to piece together its tragic history.
• The Shadow Marshes: A treacherous swamp filled with shadow-infused enemies and labyrinthine paths. Exploration here demands caution, as visibility is limited and threats abound.
• Forgotten Sanctuaries: Ancient temples overrun with nature, hiding powerful secrets and dangerous foes. These sanctuaries offer some of the most challenging puzzles and encounters in the DLC.

These regions maintain FromSoftware’s interconnected level design, encouraging exploration and rewarding players who venture off the beaten path.

New Gameplay Features and Enhancements

While Elden Ring’s core gameplay remains intact, Shadow of the Erdtree introduces several new mechanics and improvements:

Combat Additions

New weapon types, spells, and combat arts are central to the DLC. Shadow-themed abilities offer high-risk, high-reward options, allowing players to manipulate light and darkness in combat. Faith and intelligence builds, in particular, gain powerful new tools.

Enhanced Traversal

Torrent, the spectral steed, plays a larger role in the DLC. Players can now access new traversal mechanics, including climbing massive roots and navigating perilous chasms. These enhancements make exploration more dynamic and engaging.

Interactive Environments

The DLC introduces environmental hazards, such as collapsing structures and shadow-infested zones, requiring players to adapt their strategies. These elements add depth to both exploration and combat.

Weapons, Magic, and Classes: Expanding the Arsenal

Shadow of the Erdtree adds a wealth of new equipment, encouraging players to experiment with their builds:

• Shadow-Infused Weapons: These weapons channel the power of darkness, offering devastating attacks with unique drawbacks.
• New Spells and Incantations: Magic users can wield shadow-based spells that disrupt enemies or obscure the battlefield, creating new tactical opportunities.
• Armor Sets: The DLC includes armor with thematic ties to the shadow, providing unique bonuses and fostering creative builds.

While no new starting classes have been confirmed, the expanded arsenal ensures that both new and returning players will find plenty to explore.

Enemies and Bosses: Facing the Darkness

FromSoftware’s enemy and boss designs are legendary, and Shadow of the Erdtree lives up to this reputation.

New Enemies

The DLC features shadow-corrupted beasts, spectral warriors, and eldritch horrors that push players to adapt their strategies. These enemies are not only challenging but also tied to the expansion’s overarching themes.

Boss Encounters

Boss fights remain the highlight of the experience. Each encounter is a carefully crafted spectacle, blending mechanical complexity with narrative weight. From grotesque monstrosities to swift, humanoid adversaries, the DLC’s bosses are as memorable as they are punishing.

Visuals and Atmosphere

FromSoftware’s games have always excelled in creating visually stunning and atmospheric worlds, and Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception.

The expansion leans heavily into gothic and surrealist aesthetics, blending the golden radiance of the Erdtree with the oppressive darkness of its shadow. Dynamic lighting and shadow effects will likely play a larger role, reinforcing the themes of duality and decay.

Subtle visual cues—such as shifting shadows, flickering lights, or faint whispers—may also enhance the sense of mystery and tension. These details not only immerse players but also contribute to the overarching narrative.

Is It Worth Playing?

The question of whether Shadow of the Erdtree is worth playing depends on your perspective as a gamer.

The Positives

For fans of Elden Ring and FromSoftware’s previous work, the DLC is almost a no-brainer. It promises to deliver more of what made the base game exceptional: challenging gameplay, intricate lore, and breathtaking visuals. The addition of new areas, weapons, and bosses ensures that players will have plenty of fresh content to sink their teeth into.

Potential Drawbacks

However, Elden Ring’s complexity isn’t for everyone. Players who found the base game too overwhelming may struggle with the DLC’s likely increase in difficulty. Additionally, those who prefer more linear narratives may find the cryptic storytelling style frustrating.

Ultimately, Shadow of the Erdtree offers a rich, rewarding experience for those willing to embrace its challenges and mysteries.

Key Details

• Genre: Action RPG
• Release Date: June 21, 2024
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Age Rating: Mature 17+
• Game Ratings: Metacritic score of 94/100
• Player Modes: Single-player with online multiplayer options for co-op and PvP
• Developer and Publisher: FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment

Final Verdict

Shadow of the Erdtree is poised to be a major addition to the Elden Ring universe, offering a wealth of new content that builds on the base game’s strengths. Its blend of challenging gameplay, expanded lore, and stunning visuals ensures that it will be a memorable experience for fans of the series.

For seasoned adventurers, this DLC is a must-play. It deepens the lore and expands the gameplay in ways that promise to satisfy even the most demanding fans. However, newcomers or casual players may find its difficulty and complexity daunting.

Our Rating: 9.5/10 – A dark, ambitious expansion that solidifies FromSoftware’s reputation as a master of its craft.