Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree [Review]
FromSoftware Inc. has once again delivered a masterpiece with their latest expansion, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. This highly anticipated addition to the massively popular Elden Ring—which has sold over 25 million copies since its release in 2022—promised to build on what many consider FromSoftware's crowning achievement. The question on everyone's mind: does Shadow of the Erdtree live up to the hype?
In Shadow of the Erdtree, players are drawn into the enigmatic realm of shadow, following the path of Miquella, one of the Empyreans from the Elden Ring pantheon. This journey is fraught with danger, featuring a host of new enemies and bosses, and unraveling the mysteries surrounding Miquella and his kin.
Shadow of the Erdtree does well to unravel many of the presumptions you may have had about Miquella and his band of Empyrean brethren based on the lore-diving you may have done in the base game (or learned through watching hours upon hours of lore videos on YouTube), crafting an intricate tale of divine tragedy and horror that rivals the best the Greeks could come up with.
The world of Shadow of the Erdtree is massive and intricately designed. Initially described by creator Hidetaka Miyazaki as comparable in size to Limgrave of Elden Ring, it turns out to be nearly as expansive as three of those key regions combined: Limgrave, as well as Caelid and a significant portion of Liurnia of the Lakes.
The world design is intricate, with numerous hidden paths and tunnels that invite exploration. Navigating from point A to point B is rarely straightforward, encouraging players to delve deep into the environment's secrets. The original Elden Ring was lauded for its breathtaking views and stunning environments, and this expansion continues that tradition. From the moment you step into the starting area, the sheer scale of Shadow of the Erdtree is immediately apparent.
While getting lost in this beautifully crafted world is mostly enjoyable, it can sometimes be frustrating to repeatedly backtrack to uncover alternative routes that may have initially gone unnoticed. While the layered map certainly makes for some great screenshots, sometimes it can be confounding to take 5-10 minutes getting to a spot that seems barely a stone’s throw away on the map.
The soundtrack, a hallmark of FromSoftware's games, maintains its stellar reputation with this expansion. Grand orchestral pieces underscore epic clashes, while haunting ambient tracks accompany your exploration of long-abandoned villages. Overall, the aesthetics of the game succeed in drawing players into the rich, immersive world that Miyazaki has crafted.
A defining characteristic of FromSoftware titles is their notorious difficulty, and Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception. Elden Ring itself was renowned for its legendary encounters—like the epic battle against General Radahn on an expansive desert battlefield. Or who could forget the relentless duel with Malenia, Blade of Miquella? This expansion introduces ten new remembrance bosses which have already begun to instill fear in the broader Elden Ring community…so I would say it was successful in introducing a new roster of formidable foes that players are coming back to again and again.
Because Elden Ring is over two years old, many players have developed characters of immense power, capable of cleaving through enemies with ease. Some feared they had overleveled their characters and would find the new content unchallenging.
They were mistaken.
The Shadow Realm is teeming with menacing creatures ready to tear apart even the most well-crafted builds, necessitating the pursuit of new blessings to survive.
These blessings manifest in the form of a new leveling system, which centers around "Scadutree Fragments" and "Revered Spirit Ashes," which enhance your character's stats and empower your spirit ashes. Without these boons, even standard enemies in this new realm can easily defeat you. Enemies possess a variety of devastating attacks, including multi-hit combos that can overwhelm even the sturdiest warriors. Additionally, the expansion introduces 103 new weapons, including new weapon types such as the great katana and light greatsword, offering fresh strategies and playstyles.
I spent about a week preparing my character for this new world, reaching level 150, ensuring I had the correct build and refined equipment. Barely 20 steps into the expansion, I encountered a spinning, blade-wielding maniac that nearly defeated me instantly. Though I emerged victorious, it was a hard-fought battle and a perfect introduction to the challenges ahead.
There has been considerable discourse online regarding the game's difficulty. Many believe the enemies and bosses hit too hard, and the new leveling structure doesn't scale appropriately, often forcing players to retreat from a boss until additional fragments are gathered. Personally, I enjoyed the challenge that Shadow of the Erdtree presented. It captures the spirit of Elden Ring, encouraging exploration of dark corners for lore nuggets and offering formidable bosses that require recalibration of your build or strategy.
Overall, Shadow of the Erdtree is a phenomenal experience. With an expansive and beautiful world to explore, dozens of powerful new weapons and enchantments to discover, and a gallery of godlike enemies to overcome, this DLC offers a rich and inviting experience that surpasses many full-length RPGs. FromSoftware has once again proven their mastery in crafting engaging and challenging content that keeps players coming back for more. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the Lands Between or a newcomer looking for a thrilling adventure, Shadow of the Erdtree is a must-play expansion that stands as a testament to FromSoftware's enduring legacy in the world of gaming.
