Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC Review

Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

5

Rating Score

5.0/5

The Good Stuff

• Breathtaking visuals
• Evolved souls-genre combat
• Tons of new content
• New gear to find

The Bad Stuff

• Brutal difficulty remains the same
• Lacks new innovation

Shadow Of The Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

“Shadow of the Erdtree stands as one of the best DLC experiences you can get”

Overview

Remember the feeling of exploring the Lands Between for the first time in Elden Ring? That sense of wonder as you stumbled upon hidden dungeons, unearthed forgotten lore, and battled colossal enemies unlike anything you’d ever faced? Shadow of the Erdtree, the highly anticipated expansion to Elden Ring, manages to recapture that magic in a tight package, bring a fresh new addition to the end-game experience.

While it doesn’t revolutionize the core gameplay, Shadow of the Erdtree delivers a wealth of new content that will keep Tarnished warriors busy for a good long while. Here’s a closer look at what the expansion offers, along with some potential drawbacks to consider.

Breathtaking Beauty: A Feast for the Eyes

FromSoftware continues to impress with the stunning visuals of Shadow of the Erdtree. The Realm of Shadow, the new region players explore, boasts a unique aesthetic that complements the Lands Between perfectly. Expect to find lush, otherworldly landscapes, haunting ruins bathed in an ethereal glow, and sprawling vistas that inspire both awe and trepidation.

The level of detail remains phenomenal. From the intricate textures of armor sets to the environmental storytelling woven into every corner of the map, Shadow of the Erdtree is a visual treat. Whether you’re gazing upon a colossal, spectral dragon or navigating a maze-like dungeon, the visuals consistently draw you deeper into the world.

Classic Souls borne Combat Evolved

The core combat of Elden Ring remains largely unchanged in Shadow of the Erdtree, which is a good thing. The Souls borne formula of punishing encounters that reward mastery is still present, but the expansion introduces some interesting wrinkles.

New weapon types like throwing knives and beast claws offer fresh tactical options, while powerful spells and Ashes of War add another layer of depth to character builds. Players who loved Elden Ring’s open-ended combat system will find themselves right at home here, with plenty of opportunities to experiment and discover devastating new combos.

However, the difficulty curve in Shadow of the Erdtree is undeniably steeper. Enemies hit harder, bosses are more relentless, and the margin for error is slimmer. Be prepared to face some truly grueling encounters that will test your skills and patience to the limit.

A Treasure Full of New Content

One of Shadow of the Erdtree’s biggest strengths is the sheer amount of content it adds to Elden Ring. The Realm of Shadow is surprisingly vast, packed with secrets to uncover and hidden areas to explore. From deciphering cryptic messages left by past explorers to battling fearsome new monstrosities, there’s always something new to discover.

The expansion also boasts a significant number of new bosses, many of which rank among the most challenging and memorable in the entire Souls borne series. These encounters showcase FromSoftware’s mastery of boss design, demanding strategic thinking and flawless execution to overcome.

On top of the new bosses and areas, Shadow of the Erdtree introduces a wealth of new gear to collect. Players can look forward to acquiring powerful new weapons, armor sets, talismans, and Spirit Ash summons. These additions not only expand your character-building options but also encourage experimentation and different playstyles.

A Worthy Expansion, But Not Without Flaws

While Shadow of the Erdtree is an undeniably fantastic expansion, it’s not without its drawbacks. The biggest concern for some players might be the lack of significant innovation in terms of core mechanics. The core gameplay loop remains very similar to Elden Ring, which might feel repetitive for those craving a more radical shakeup.

Additionally, the brutal difficulty might alienate some players, especially those who haven’t already mastered the challenges of the base game. While the new content is exciting, it’s definitely geared towards experienced Tarnished warriors, and newcomers might find the learning curve a bit too steep.

Overall, Shadow of the Erdtree is a must-play for dedicated Elden Ring fans. It delivers a hefty dose of new content, challenging boss encounters, and stunning visuals. However, if you’re looking for a drastic change in gameplay mechanics or a more forgiving experience, you might want to adjust your expectations.

Verdict

While Shadow of the Erdtree might be the sole Elden Ring expansion, it’s a fantastic one – especially if you’re a fan of the base game’s core mechanics. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but condenses everything you loved about Elden Ring into a tightly packed experience. Think of it this way: Shadow of the Erdtree feels like a standalone game in its own right, but “small” only when compared to the sprawling world of Elden Ring. It’s bursting with secrets, loot, brutal boss fights, and nightmarish creatures to conquer.

On top of that, you get a treasure trove of new tools to play with: weapons, spells, combat skills, spirit companions, and talismans. These additions open up even more creative ways to tackle the game’s famously challenging battles. The expansion even throws in some fascinating lore revelations, along with the stunning visuals and epic music that defined the original’s larger-than-life encounters. All in all, Shadow of the Erdtree stands as one of the best DLC experiences you can get.

Be sure to check out the review of Elden Ring, which you need to play the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. So what do you think of the new expansion? Is is better than you hoped for? Tell us about your experience with Elden Ring. Leave any of your comments here below. That’s all from me. Stay safe until next time 😀