Unleashing the Power of the Erdtree Shadow: A Game-Changer in Elden Ring
Experience the awe-inspiring power of Elden Ring's upcoming DLC, 'Shadow of the Erdtree' as it promises to address one of the game's few concerns - the repetition of enemies and bosses Prepare for unforgettable battles that will redefine your expectations
Highlights
Elden Ring's first major expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has generated much hype among fans, but details about the DLC are scarce.
Criticism aimed at Elden Ring centered around its repetitive use of bosses and enemies, limiting the game's overall appeal. However, Shadow of the Erdtree holds the potential to address this concern by introducing unique and original adversaries. Given FromSoftware's track record of delivering remarkable DLCs, anticipation is elevated for Shadow of the Erdtree to provide an exceptional gameplay experience with formidable boss battles and immersive storytelling.
The announcement of Elden Ring's first major expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, generated immense excitement among FromSoftware's fan base. However, details about the DLC have been scarce, with only a title and a single image available at the moment. Disappointingly, the project was not showcased at Gamescom 2023. One criticism aimed at Elden Ring was its frequent reuse of various enemies and bosses. Throughout the game, players encountered reskins of early-game enemies and bosses, resulting in a somewhat negative response. If Shadow of the Erdtree focuses on introducing original bosses and monsters, it has the potential to rectify one of Elden Ring's few flaws.
Elden Ring is an incredibly expansive game, offering players countless hours of exploration in the vast Lands Between. While many view this as a strength, some argue that it contributes to the game feeling overly bloated. This sentiment is compounded by the repeated appearances of certain bosses, such as the Ancient Dragons, which are essentially reskinned with minor variations in color and attack patterns. The formidable Crucible Knight is another enemy that players encounter multiple times throughout the world. Understandably, this repetition can become monotonous and tiresome.
Elden Ring's DLC Should Contain Some Impressive Boss Fights
Despite the frequent appearance of familiar foes in Elden Ring, many argue that it never overstays its welcome, thanks in part to its captivating world and diverse array of structures. This 2022 Game of the Year recipient continues to dominate discussions long after its initial release, and the upcoming DLC ensures that this trend will persist in the foreseeable future. Based on FromSoftware's past DLC releases, Shadow of the Erdtree promises an equally exceptional undertaking. FromSoftware is well-acquainted with paid expansions, with the exception of Demon's Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, every entry in the Soulsborne series offers its own DLC. What truly stands out, however, is the fact that each DLC represents the pinnacle of its corresponding base game. Difficulty, enemy and world design, and story all receive an extra layer of polish in the Soulsborne DLCs. In this regard, Shadow of the Erdtree has a high standard to meet.
Dark Souls 3's DLC expansions, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, along with Bloodborne's The Old Hunters DLC, are consistently recognized as some of the best additional content ever released for a video game. Notable boss encounters like Sister Friede, Slave Knight Gael, and Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower showcase FromSoftware's exceptional boss designs. It remains to be seen if the Japanese developer can surpass these standards with the forthcoming DLC for Elden Ring, which will build upon the intricate boss designs of characters like Malenia, Blade of Miquella.
Nevertheless, given the developer's impeccable track record with DLC, it is highly unlikely that Shadows of the Erdtree will fall short. Players should anticipate the same level of excellence found in the base game, with the potential for even better boss and world designs. Elden Ring's lore is expansive, and the expansion presents the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into it. Introducing unique and formidable adversaries and bosses will further elevate the experience of Elden Ring to new heights. We can only hope that news of Shadow of the Erdtree will be revealed soon.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.
