Review: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

SUNDABET - In a game the size of Elden Ring, it's worth believing there's value in delving into any entry with numerous case writers. Keep reading as Steven Mills and I cover the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, which is both massive and truly surprising.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Developer: De Software

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Released: June 20, 2024

MSRP: $39.99

Chris Carter: Well, here we are, at the twilight of the Elden Ring era (at least for the first entry, though it sounds hyperbolic to call it an "era," it's crazy and many people, who haven't been SekiSoulsBourne', I took the game, took it for the first time.

I'm an honest person. This reminds me of Artorias of the Abyss (the only expansion-based DLC for Dark Souls 1) at its best, with a huge sandbox to play in. It's one of my favorite places in From Software's history. Thoughts?

Steven Mills: I completely agree, and here it is again, this software has exceeded my expectations in almost every way. It's the toughest software DLC ever. I felt it needed a lot of good things from previous expansions, like Artorias of the Abyss as you mentioned, and The Ringed City from Dark Souls 3, and even some old hunters from Bloodborne, while pushing everything forward. The giant sandbox is the best way to put it. There's nothing like Shadow of the Erdtree, and The Land of Shadow gives us the freedom to explore as we wish, like most main games. A true "extension" in every way.

Chris: Yeah, it really requires a lot from columns A, B, and C. One thing I think they really like is the "spider's nest/wheel spoke configuration." Their philosophy has always encompassed this, especially Firelink Shrine in 2011 (time flies!), but with the multitude of specific areas in the Erdtree DLC, they can feel endless. Take one of the main areas, Shadow Keep. I entered this zone quite early and found a new entrance and secret 10 hours later.

The best part is if you just want to pass through this area and complete the DLC, you can. Nothing feels too closed off. Essentially, you can go wherever you want, with some story-related exceptions. This is a great way to approach DLC without feeling too cramped or too expansive like some other studios. It's a skill they've honed for decades, since the King's Field era. It makes me excited to see what they can do with the next project: assuming it's not a PC port of Bloodborne.

Steven: Oh yeah, Shadow Keep is so big and complex it feels like its own DLC if it were a previous Souls game. In terms of actual level design, it's insane how many different areas and biomes are packed into this edition. My first journey through Elden Ring happened in early 2022 when it was first released, but I only played again for a little refresher and decided to take this journey in a completely different direction, both in build/play style and the path I aim to. . . on the way

One can do the same with Shadow of the Erdtree; there's no fixed path you have to follow to access most of the zones. At the beginning of the DLC, when I realized how much there is here, I asked myself this question: where does From Software go from here? Elden Ring and now Shadow of the Erdtree are big steps forward in the genre pioneered by From Software for over a decade, but like you, I'm very excited to see what it can produce.

Chris: There are some biographies that some people may never see. And I'll definitely do it again and choose a different route for another Elden Ring run next time. It's so versatile that you can completely overlook it or delve into it as long as it's a core part of the game. A fully inclusive Game of the Year version looks more appealing.

What do you think of the new enemies and bosses? Even the tombs where the NPC meets the biting and underground DLC rooms feel fresh.

Steven: Yeah, it's amazing how little overlap there is in boss encounter mechanics, even though there are so many bosses! In my opinion, and I don't think it's a smart thing to do, the bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree tend to feel a bit more difficult than in the main game. Encounters in the Elden Ring range from fairly trivial (Rennala) to difficult (Melania), but I think most Shadow of the Erdtree bosses lean on the harder side.

Speaking of Rennala, SUNDABET Link Shadow of the Erdtree is one of the earliest boss fights like her sister Rella. Unlike her sister, Relana does not give up easily. Relana is an amazing swordsman. He dances skillfully in the arena and carves me. I'm not proud of how many tries it took to take him down, but in classic Souls fashion, I felt accomplished in the end. The encounter reminds me a bit of Dancer of the Boreal Valley in Dark Souls 3, one of my favorite battles of all time.

What about you and Relana? Is it ultimately about skill?

Chris: Don't think that's a smart move haha. Rellana is really fun and I'm also thinking of Boreal Valley Dancer and Pope Sulyvahn (Dark Souls 3 loves that sword fighting element). I think people will tell and share war stories over and over again, especially with boss difficulties that depend on people's forms and approaches. Erdtree pushes the limits by reusing enemies and introducing new ones, but it fits the situation and feels like a unique touch.

As in other Souls games, there are enemies that some never defeat, and enemies that last a long time: and I'm not even talking about bosses, because the Erdtree DLC really has that. a cool giant fire golem called the Furnace Golem. You can see them coming from a mile away and they add menace to the area and fit the theme.

Steven: De Software can really scale, that's for sure. The Furnace Golem is a nice touch to add more menace to this new area and illustrate its scale. My first sight reminded me of the first time entering the Atlus Highlands in the main game; I immediately felt small and unprepared for what was to come.

And I love that completing it gives you new Crystal Tears rewards, some of which can really change some of the sequels. But at the same time, I think someone could just pick their skirt and not bother looking at the Furnace Golem. Another great thing about Shadow of the Erdtree is that all add-ons and systems are still free for the core Elden Ring experience. Even the new progression system gives players new forms of power by honoring their achievements in the base game.

Chris: Yes, appreciating time is the essence of this DLC. You can explore for 20-30 hours and still feel like there is enough to do. I like it because it can have all kinds of speeds, including how much DLC (Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes) is used. It can be as hard as you want, or you can get there slowly. It's the best of both worlds, especially since some of the upcoming bosses are really hard.

Final thoughts? I hope it turns out to be a winner because Elden Ring is usually strong, but this one exceeds my expectations.

Steven: I think the biggest thing here is that despite my high expectations, Shadow of the Erdtree still manages to exceed them. This SUNDABET Link Alternatif can add an Elden Ring and is pretty safe, but Shadow of the Erdtree is another innovative iteration of the genre..

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