Avoiding FromSoftware's Worst Tendency: A Look at Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC should break free from one of FromSoftware's recurring tendencies, as the game already has an abundance of poison swamps Discover why adding more of them is unnecessary
Article Key Points
Elden Ring's upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, still lacks official details and a release date, leaving fans eager for more information.
Several players have expressed frustration with the excessive number of toxic swamp regions found in FromSoftware games, including Elden Ring, perceiving them as more of a nuisance rather than a true test. The presence of these poison-infested swamps limits player autonomy and can hinder combat and exploration, leading to an unpleasant experience. Therefore, excluding poisonous areas in future downloadable content (DLC) may be a desirable choice.
The first expansion for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, is still shrouded in mystery, with limited official details available. FromSoftware has only released a teaser image, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more concrete information, including the release date.
Considering the potential inclusions for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, it might be wise to avoid introducing any more hazardous swamplands to Elden Ring. Many players find these environments more frustrating than challenging, as they tend to be more of an annoyance. Given the abundance of poisonous swamps already present in the game, some feel that it's time to take a break from this particular mechanic in the expansion.
Elden Ring Has Too Many Poison Swamps Already
In an interview with Game Informer, Game Director Hidetaka Miyazaki expressed his acknowledgement of players’ frustrations with the recurring environments found in FromSoftware games. Despite this, Miyazaki's personal enjoyment in creating these environments ensures their continued presence, indicating that they will persist in future releases. Some fans have come to appreciate the studio’s notorious poison swamps, particularly in light of Miyazaki's revelation. However, the general consensus among the FromSoftware games’ community is that less inclusion of poison swamps would be preferable.
Swamp of Aeonia
While this region holds historical significance in the lore of Elden Ring prior to the player's adventure, it may not provide the same level of enjoyment as its intriguing nature suggests. Caelid is home to formidable adversaries, including massive dragons, menacing crows, and ferocious dogs, all of which pose a terrifying challenge amidst a treacherous environment of its own.
Lake of Rot
Due to the absence of a reliable Torrent, this particular major area poses a significant risk as players cannot explore it without contracting the hazardous Scarlet Rot Status Effect. The abundance of concealed enemies and the scarcity of safe havens make this location exceptionally perilous. However, players who are not inclined to uncover all of its hidden mysteries can typically traverse this area with relative speed.
Why Elden Ring Doesn't Need Any More Poison Swamps
FromSoftware's Souls-like games are commonly known for featuring a recurring element - the presence of poison swamps. In Elden Ring, this trend continues with two main "poison swamps" and numerous minor areas containing hazardous terrain or negative status effects. The abundance of these poison-infested locations in the Lands Between, including the Swamp of Aeonia and the Lake of Rot, may be regarded as excessive even before any expansions are introduced.
What makes Elden Ring's poisonous swamps particularly frustrating is that some of these locations are mandatory, often including boss fights that are essential for certain NPC questlines. Not only are these areas challenging to navigate, but battling within them is consistently unpleasant. While the open-world nature of Elden Ring grants players the freedom to choose when, where, and how to explore each region, the existence of poison swamps significantly restricts these freedoms.
Even though players can utilize Elden Ring's mount, Torrent, to safely traverse certain terrains, this solution does have its drawbacks. Horseback combat significantly increases the challenges in what would otherwise be straightforward fights, as it hinders mobility and limits attack options. This particularly impacts melee-focused builds in Elden Ring. Consequently, even when players rely on Torrent to navigate poison swamps in the game, the experience falls short of being enjoyable compared to exploring other areas. Considering that many players view the difficulty of these poisonous areas as arbitrary, excluding them from the DLC could be an appealing approach.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an expansive fantasy action-RPG adventure set in a captivating world. Created in collaboration by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind the legendary Dark Souls series, and George R.R. Martin, the bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire, this collaboration has given birth to FromSoftware's most ambitious game to date. Brace yourself for a thrilling journey filled with peril and uncharted territories. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the esteemed president and game director of FromSoftware, has a proven track record with acclaimed titles like Armored Core and Dark Souls.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Developers: From Software
Publishers: Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
Genre: RPG, Action
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
Game Engine: Proprietary
ESRB Rating: M for Mature (Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence)
Estimated Gameplay Length: 58 Hours
Metascore Rating: 96
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PS4 & PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
PS Plus Availability: N/A
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of FromSoftware games, I have mixed feelings about the potential inclusion of more poison swamps in the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring. On the one hand, I appreciate the challenge and unique atmosphere that these areas can provide. On the other hand, I understand the frustration that many players experience when traversing these swamps, especially when they are mandatory for certain questlines or boss fights.
Overall, I believe that FromSoftware should take a more nuanced approach to poison swamps in future DLC. While these areas can be a memorable and challenging part of the game, they should not be overused to the point of frustration. Instead, FromSoftware should focus on creating a variety of different environments that offer unique challenges and rewards, while still maintaining a sense of balance and fairness.
