Just when you thought you’d squeezed every drop of challenge and wonder from the Lands Between, FromSoftware swoops back in with Shadow of the Erdtree, a hefty DLC for their open-world masterpiece, Elden Ring. This expansion promises a return to the core tenets that made the base game so captivating: brutal combat, cryptic lore, and a world begging to be explored. But does Shadow of the Erdtree offer enough new experiences to warrant another foray into the demigod slaughterhouse, or is it simply more of the same?
The first impression upon entering the Lands Between 2.0 is a sense of haunting beauty, a mix of nightmarish and awe-inspiring scenery. The new area, shrouded in perpetual twilight, offers a distinct visual contrast to the sun-drenched plains and verdant forests of the original game. Veterans will find familiar enemy types peppered throughout, but new variations and boss encounters keep combat fresh. While the core mechanics remain unchanged, the expansion throws some interesting wrinkles into the mix. New weapon arts and lingering spell effects add tactical depth to combat, while scattered fragments enhance character progression beyond the standard level-up system.
Shadow of the Erdtree delivers a densely packed world brimming with secrets to uncover. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki, alongside George R.R. Martin, crafted a new world for this chapter. Contrary to Miyazaki’s claims that the Land of Shadow is the size of Limgrave, players will find it feels nearly 75% the size of the already massive ‘Elden Ring.’ New dungeons, meticulously crafted and teeming with challenging enemies, reward exploration with powerful loot and lore snippets. Elden Ring’s notorious difficulty returns with a vengeance in Shadow of the Erdtree. New bosses are punishing tests of skill and reflexes, often demanding multiple attempts and strategic adjustments. While this punishing difficulty might be a badge of honor for seasoned players, it can feel frustrating for newcomers or those seeking a more relaxed experience. The expansion does little to alleviate the game’s obtuse nature, and some may find the lack of clear direction or hand-holding a barrier to entry.
Beyond the core gameplay, art design is praised for its beauty and uniqueness, with the Cerulean Coast, a stunning example. The environment is large and offers a lot of exploration, with a vertical world design encouraging players to delve into both high and low areas. The performance is good but with some occasional stutters. The sound design remains top-notch, the crisp weapon sounds, the epic boss music, and the excellent NPC voice acting as expected from FromSoftware.
The Verdict: A Worthy Return, But Not Without Flaws
Ultimately, Shadow of the Erdtree is a double-edged sword: a love letter to fans of the base game’s punishing world and cryptic storytelling, while potentially alienating those seeking a more accessible experience.
