The Mind-Blowing Revelation Behind Elden Ring's Spectacularly Expansive Erdtree DLC: A Game-Changer!

Highlights

In Elden Ring, the open-world design of The Lands Between has received significant acclaim. However, for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, FromSoftware should contemplate revisiting a more linear approach.

FromSoftware's expertise in tone and storytelling is evident in the linear environments found in their games, such as Dark Souls. This proficiency in creating a captivating narrative would be ideally suited for the DLC's storyline.

By introducing a semi-open expansion area in the DLC, players can enjoy a welcome divergence from the vast open-world of The Lands Between, allowing for a more condensed and immersive experience.

Elden Ring has received high praise from fans and critics for various reasons, with its expansive and immersive open world being a standout feature. The Lands Between within the game offers valuable lessons, countless exploration and combat opportunities, and surprises at every turn. However, FromSoftware may benefit from deviating from the open-world structure in the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Prior to Elden Ring, FromSoftware was not typically associated with creating conventional open-world games. While titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the Dark Souls series provided a semi open-world experience, they were predominantly linear, with major areas being revealed in a predetermined order and less emphasis on optional exploration and side content compared to Elden Ring. Therefore, the revelation of Elden Ring's vast open-world map marked a significant departure for the renowned developer. While The Lands Between has cemented itself as an iconic open world within the gaming community, FromSoftware might enhance the effectiveness of Shadow of the Erdtree by returning to their roots.

FromSoftware's Linear Design Approach Would Make Shadows of the Erdtree a More Refined Experience

FromSoftware has consistently demonstrated its expertise in environmental design across all of its games, including the highly anticipated Elden Ring. The developer has crafted numerous unforgettable levels and areas, such as Anor Londo, Cainhurst Castle, Senpou Temple, and many more. However, Elden Ring distinguishes itself by excelling in its more contained and linear areas, such as Crumbling Farum Azula, Academy of Raya Lucaria, and Miqulla's Haligtree.

While the overworld areas of Elden Ring offer a treacherous and visually stunning experience, they primarily serve as a means of connecting the meticulously crafted, bespoke environments. It is within these environments, reminiscent of older FromSoftware games, that the game truly showcases its mastery of setting the tone and conveying a compelling narrative. For instance, areas like Leyndell captivate players with its environmental storytelling, subtly hinting at its rich history and stimulating their imagination and intellect. These experiences far surpass the wide, grassy fields of Limgrave or the desolate stretches of Caelid.

When Shadow of the Erdtree releases, it is expected to bring a significant amount of narrative content, potentially even reshaping Elden Ring's lore. Given FromSoftware's style, it is likely that most of this new narrative will be delivered through item descriptions and environmental storytelling rather than cutscenes or dialogues. Therefore, a focused and linear environment would be more suitable for the DLC compared to an expansive, open expansion like The Lands Between. This shift would allow FromSoftware to intricately develop the game's storyline, control the pacing more effectively, and create breathtaking and memorable environments and set pieces, as seen in previous Elden Ring games.

Introducing a semi-open expansion area, akin to DLCs such as The Old Hunters and The Ringed City, would also bring a refreshing element for players unfamiliar with other FromSoftware games. By incorporating visually stunning and straightforward areas into Shadow of the Erdtree, it could offer a compelling alternative to the vast open-world of The Lands Between, resulting in a concise and focused experience rather than a meandering journey that requires hundreds of hours.

Elden Ring's The Lands Between is undeniably a masterpiece of design, showcasing the endless possibilities of the open-world format. It breathes new life into a genre that many gamers had grown weary of. However, it does not have to serve as a replacement for FromSoftware's traditional, linear approach to environment design. With the upcoming release of Armored Core 6, which embraces a more level-based style of gameplay, the idea of a non-open-world Shadow of the Erdtree is not completely far-fetched.

Elden Ring can now be enjoyed on a variety of platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.