Shadow of the Erdtree, our return to Elden Ring’s breathtaking world, is an improvement over the base game in every respect.
FromSoftware’s highly anticipated expansion for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, is finally here, and it’s better than I could ever have imagined. With over 50 hours of new content, the DLC is everything that was good about the base game, but even more so.
One of the first things that as soon as you enter Shadow of the Erdtree is the sheer scale of the world. In an interview, Miyazaki noted how the DLC would have a map roughly about the same size as Limgrave, but boy were we misled. Shadow of the Erdtree‘s map dwarfs even the vast landscapes of the base game. The sense of discovery that is lost as you replay Elden Ring is back again and it almost feels like a brand new game with the amount of content present in the game.
The sheer verticality of this expansion is jaw dropping, with how it defies expectations how high and how low you can go. Just when you think, “this area can’t go any deeper”, the game retorts with even more branching paths. It’s so much fun exploring as the world never feels empty. There are enemies, bosses, loot and lore scattered in every nook and cranny that rewards your curiosity. FromSoftware loves giving players a tease of the scope of the world they created, and Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception.
You can tell how much love was put into the world of Shadow of the Erdtree. Something this game has done very well from the start is how you can explore every location that meets the eye. This time, you can explore more than just what you can see off in the distance. The new map is densely packed with layers upon layers of areas that is similar to the verticality of Liurnia, but cranked up all the way up to 11.
The game’s art direction with the biomes are no less than phenomenal. Each new area is varied and there are places that draw inspiration from past titles games like the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne. In the base game, the areas, while they were outstanding, it felt like FromSoftware played it safe by offering biomes like a grassy area, a snow area, a castle etc. In Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoftware went absolutely haywire with the symbolism and themes with the new areas. It is tough to think come up with words to describe the spectacles offered by this DLC—perhaps it is best left to be experienced rather than described.
While the core gameplay loop remains familiar, Shadow of the Erdtree introduces plenty of new mechanics that make the game more fun. The expansion adds a hundred new weapons, armor sets, spells and items that create some new build paths. One new addition that I particularly liked is the Deflecting Hardtear that you can put into your Flask of Wonderous Physick. Once consumed, it lets you parry attacks without a shield with your guard(any guard works) for the next 3 minutes. I had a lot of fun with this as I am one of those people who don’t enjoy playing with shields but love parrying.
One of the most ingenious gameplay additions is the Shadow Realm Blessing and Revered Spirit Ash Blessing. Scattered throughout the world are remnants of the Erdtree that boost your stats. By collecting these remnants, you can permanently enhance your character with defensive buffs and a percentage based attack power increase. This system makes your character level rather insignificant because of how the stats boosts are designed. Expect to get demolished if you ignore this mechanic.
This is, yet again, another one of FromSoftware’s clever ideas to get you to explore their meticulously crafted world. The Scadutree Fragments increase your attack power and damage negation stats while Revered Spirit Ashes increase the attack and damage negation stats of both your Spirit Ashes and Torrent, the spectral steed. These blessings are only available in the DLC content, however.
Balancing was something that was criticized in the base game, however this blessing system was done perfectly. It makes your character feel stronger and lets you chase that power fantasy that make souls games so fun. You can get by with little over half of the Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes found in the DLC, but finding them all essentially doubles your AR and defenses which makes you a force to be reckoned with.
Despite the power boost offered by the Shadow Realm Blessing system, Shadow of the Erdtree retains the punishing difficulty that FromSoftware is known for. The new enemy types are varied and unexpectedly difficult, but it never feels unfair. With how many build paths there are in Elden Ring, there are several ways of approaching a challenge. I found myself scratching my head and changing my approach to certain bosses to beat them. It felt more gratifying to beat them because the victories felt more earned. I don’t think I’ve had this much fun with a FromSoft game in a long time.
You do not have to worry about getting too overpowered either. I played this game with a level 353 character in NG+1 and even basic soldiers are able to take off a decent chunks out of my health bar with their hits. Taking a holistic approach with my character with how I tried out almost each weapon I came across since every single stat on my character was levelled decently well was an absolute delight.
The boss fights, a highlight of the Elden Ring experience, are incredibly challenging this time around. The final boss is one of the hardest bosses in the history of souls games. You see these cool ideas in the design, atmosphere and attacks of the bosses and they quite literally make your jaw drop. When I saw certain attacks, I found myself at awe wondering how I would even counter that. It was only a matter of perseverance, however, as I was eventually able to tackle every boss I came across.
However, unlike the bland lava zones of previous FromSoftware titles, the Scorched Barrens offers a more visually interesting take on volcanic landscapes. The earth is cracked and blackened, rivers of molten rock flow through jagged canyons, and plumes of ash and smoke rise into the ever-ominous crimson sky. This creates a truly oppressive atmosphere that perfectly complements the brutal challenge posed by Ignis.
While FromSoftware is known for its cryptic storytelling, Shadow of the Erdtree seems to offer a more streamlined narrative experience compared to the base game. The story has you following the footsteps of Miquella, the son of Queen Marika the Eternal whose journey players follow throughout the DLC. By interacting with NPCs who followed Miquella, players can piece together fragments of his story and gain a deeper understanding of the events that transpired.
These NPCs, scattered throughout the world, offer cryptic clues, veiled warnings, and fragmented memories of Miquella’s past. For instance, an old hermit living in a secluded cave might speak of Miquella’s obsession with uncovering the secrets of the Erdtree, while a weary warrior stationed at a crumbling outpost might recount a harrowing tale of Miquella’s last stand against a shadowy force. This focus on a central narrative thread makes the story in Shadow of the Erdtree easier to follow compared to the fragmented lore bits scattered throughout the Lands Between.
However, there are still lingering mysteries and unanswered questions that will keep lore enthusiasts engaged in piecing together the bigger picture. What exactly were Miquella’s goals? Who or what is the shadowy force he encountered? These are just some of the questions that came up in my head as I played this game. I cannot wait to read fan theories about the lore as the game matures because that is one of my favorite aspects about FromSoftware’s works.
One of the true joys of returning to the Lands Between in Shadow of the Erdtree is the continued brilliance of FromSoftware’s sound design. The expansion seamlessly integrates its phenomenal orchestral score with the already-iconic Elden Ring soundtrack, creating a truly immersive aural experience. As I encountered each new area and boss, the sweeping orchestral melodies felt like a warm welcome back, perfectly capturing the sense of awe and adventure that Elden Ring evokes so masterfully.
But Shadow of the Erdtree isn’t afraid to strike new musical territory as well. The haunting string sections that underscore the desolate Graveyard Plains sent shivers down my spine, perfectly setting the mood for the chilling secrets and spectral encounters that awaited me. And let’s not forget the boss fights! The epic orchestral arrangements that accompany these clashes are pure adrenaline-pumping magic.
The music builds tension to a fever pitch, perfectly capturing the desperation and exhilaration of facing down a powerful foe. The music in Shadow of the Erdtree is more than just background noise – it’s a vital part of the storytelling, heightening the emotional impact of every moment within the expansion.
Shadow of the Erdtree injects new life into Elden Ring while retaining the core elements that made the base game so successful. When considered together, Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree represent the pinnacle of FromSoftware’s work. This DLC is a must-play for any fan of the base game and sets a new standard for open-world RPG expansions.
It offers a sprawling world to explore, challenging enemies to conquer, and a deeper dive into the lore of the Lands Between. Whether you’re a seasoned Elden Ring veteran or a newcomer to the Lands Between, Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion that should not be missed. It elevates the base game to even greater heights and offers a truly phenomenal experience.
While the vast majority of Shadow of the Erdtree’s environments are visually stunning and thematically cohesive, there is one area that falls short. This particular zone, about a specific side quest felt a little boring.
The landscape is a monotonous stretch of rocky plains with little to no variation in scenery or enemy types. This area is similar to the less interesting lava zones found in previous Souls games. However, this is a minor blemish on an otherwise exceptional expansion. The sheer quality and variety of the other environments make this misstep easily forgiven.
Shadow of the Erdtree feels like a summer fling you reconnect with years later. The familiarity of Elden Ring’s core gameplay is comforting, while the fresh content and refined mechanics that charm and wonder that Elden Ring is all about. The sheer size of the world, the challenging combat encounters, and the easier to consume storytelling all contribute to a truly phenomenal experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned Soulsborne veteran or a newcomer to FromSoftware’s brand of challenging yet rewarding gameplay, Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion that should not be missed. It really expands upon Lands Between established while preserving the sense of wonder and discovery that feels so important in Elden Ring. Shadow of the Erdtree sets a new standard for what a DLC can achieve and I believe this is FromSoftware’s greatest work yet.
