When it comes to Souls-like games, one title sits atop the throne of broken dreams and failed runs… Elden Ring which is rightfully held by many as the pinnacle of what a Souls-like is all about, delivering a hard, but also fair challenge; that you more often than not have to work out like some twisted puzzle. It’s been a hot minute since the game launched back in 2022 and fans have been crying out for more content and punishment in equal measure. So, in a rather smart move, the team at FromSoftware have held their gun and instead of throwing out a few little additions, they have dropped a hefty chunk of DLC with the first expansion for the game – similar to how CD Projekt RED did with Phantom Liberty for Cyberpunk 2077. Shadow of the Erdtree adds more of what fans want by amping it all up to 11, as well as throwing in few new and of course challenging surprises along the way.
Taking place in the Land of Shadow, which as maps go is actually bigger in ways than the core game, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC tells an intriguing tale, which sees you setting out to uncover more than a few of the Land of Shadow’s darkest secrets. As is the way with FromSoftware, if you want to learn of the full tale, you’ll have to work for it as most of the tale is told through conversations with NPCs, nuggets of lore you’ll find, and a handful of cutscenes along your adventure, with more than a few revelations to discover. Gameplay takes what was set in the core game and refines it to a mirror shine, as verticality plays a huge part in the game once again. You’ll be exploring for new ways to ascend and descend the world, all the while being rewarded for your curiosity in wanting to find out what awaits around the next outcrop.
Combat is as tight and punishing as you would hope or remember, though maybe with not as many bosses as the core game to slay – with around 40, 10 of which being of the more epic variety. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in design and overall deadliness, as more than a few can one tap you if you’re not paying attention. Which brings in the fact that more than a few fights in Shadow of the Erdtree will have you ripping your hair out, as they are easily the most brutal I have found in any Souls-like to date. This could also be FromSoftware just flexing, to remind you who’s the real daddy of the genre; but on the other hand, nothing will compare to that feeling you get when you bring down the boss you have been duelling with for hours, days… maybe even weeks. That’s the gameplay loop of these types of games that you get your head smashed in time and time again, until that perfect run lands the win, subsequently getting your hit of a wave of endorphins, that thrust you into the next fight only to do it all over again.
However, Shadow of the Erdtree adds a few new elements to the loop, like finding scattered tree fragments and spirit ashes, which make you more powerful and reduce the damage you take or buff your summons. Both of which help to level the field a little, if you’re a lower-level player. You’ll want to aim to be at least level 150 in the base game or 200+ in new game to get the best from Shadow of the Erdtree. There are also 8 new weapon classes to master; from claws, to throwing knifes – which add extra layers to the combat, while also giving series veterans room to experiment with a new arsenal and builds.
Visually the game once again crafts a dark, moody and at times horror-vibed world, as you wander from one epic vista to the next. While the soundtrack and the voice acting also help to add to the darker tone of events. If you’re an Elden Ring fan this is a no brainer, it adds more of what you want while dialling everything up a few more levels. Which is easy to understand as a 10/10 core game would spawn a striking and unforgettable expansion, that does come the closest to the fair/unfair line that any FromSoftware games have so far. If it’s true that FromSoftware have said this will be the only DLC Elden Ring will have, which is a gutter in some ways, it’s one hell of a fitting adventure to see the final curtain fall with.
An Xbox review copy of Elden Ring – Shadow of the Erdtree DLC was provided by Bandai Namco’s PR team, and the expansion is out now on all the base game platforms for around £33.
The Verdict
Stuart Cullen
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