Highlights
Elden Ring fans have discovered a strange smiling moon image in-game, sparking speculation about its reference to Yoko Taro and other iconic game and film elements.
The smiling moon's discovery showcases the ongoing exploration and findings in the expansive open world of Elden Ring, captivating players even a year and a half post-release. With the highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC on the horizon, players can expect an abundance of new discoveries.
A whimsical and unsettling image of a smiling moon has been discovered within the game by a player of Elden Ring, FromSoftware's acclaimed 2022 hit that was crowned Game of the Year at The Game Awards. The game has gained widespread acclaim as one of the greatest ever made and has achieved immense success in terms of sales. As fans eagerly await news about the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, following the release of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, the discovery of this image has sparked further excitement among the fanbase.
One of the key aspects of Elden Ring's immersive exploration is the encounters with non-playable characters (NPCs) who offer deep and fulfilling questlines. Among these NPCs is Ranni the Witch, a significant Demigod character in Elden Ring. Ranni has quickly become a fan favorite due to her role in guiding players on a mystical journey centered around the Dark Moon, which leads to captivating underground locations within the game. Ranni possesses a profound connection to the celestial realm, and players who successfully complete her questline have the opportunity to choose the Age of Stars ending when confronting the final boss. Consequently, the imagery of the sun, stars, and moon is abundantly present throughout the Lands Between, particularly in the Liurnia of the Lakes region, which is where the Academy of Raya Lucaria and Rennala, Ranni's mother, can be found.
Reddit user Ilikethiccness shared a captivating image of an unusual moon discovered within the game on the Elden Ring subreddit. The moon, donning a disturbing smiling face, is depicted in a time dial mural against the night sky. Although the precise location of this intriguing discovery within the Lands Between remains uncertain, speculation suggests that Liurnia of the Lakes or another magic-infused structure may be the plausible setting.
In response to the post, commenters eagerly debated the potential inspirations behind this peculiar moon. The prevailing theory pointed towards Yoko Taro, acclaimed creator and director of the Drakengard series and its beloved Nier spinoffs, known for wearing a sizable circular mask resembling a moon in reference to the character Emil. Others drew comparisons to the well-known scowling moon featured in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Additionally, the Spacer's Choice Moon Man mascot from Obsidian's The Outer Worlds received a mention, with one user even adding the 1902 film A Trip To The Moon by cinematic pioneer George Melies into the mix.
Likely a playful homage to Japanese game director Yoko Taro, this peculiar moon strongly resembles the contorted grin of Emil's mask from Nier. It's remarkable to see gamers uncovering captivating and whimsical details in the expansive open world of Elden Ring, even a year and a half after its release. Anticipation builds for the highly awaited Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, promising countless more discoveries for Elden Ring players.
Elden Ring can be enjoyed on various platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.