“Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is an impressive expansion, but also for how it challenges the previous perceptions of the world and the boundaries of open-world storytelling.
Shadow of the Erdtree stands equal with Dark Souls through its layered, spiral world design filled with inspiring and terrifying secrets.
FromSoftware has knowledge in crafting dark fantasy realms rich with history and detail, solidifying Elden Ring as one of the most innovative and fulfilling action RPGs.
Familiar enemies reappear in new scenarios, new weapon and spell types expand combat strategies with dynamic animations and effective synergies, and new characters add difficulty to the morality of key figures we’ve come to understand over hundreds of hours.
The storytelling in Shadow of the Erdtree is so smoothly mixed into every aspect of the game, making it feel almost elemental.
The twisted tree at the middle of the Land of Shadow, a dark counterpart to the golden fields of the Lands Between, anchors the desolation of Shadow of the Erdtree, ever-present no matter where you travel.
Razed by the Golden Order long before your Tarnished arrives, the Land of Shadow is a festering wound that never heals. In the first important dungeon, a blind old woman—reminiscent of the Finger Reader crone who declares you Elden Lord in the original game—denounces you as a villain and questions if the years of bloodshed weren’t sufficient.
Even if you don’t see yourself as an oppressor, to her, being a grace-touched Tarnished makes you complicit in the atrocities committed by Messmer and, by extension, the Golden Order. She then comes back to summon Shadow of the Erdtree’s first major boss, a troupe of dancers in a ceremonial lion costume.
A double wielding sorcerer attacks angrily unmatched by any boss in the base game. An ancient dragon soars into the sky, unleashing apocalyptic storms across the arena.
Even minor bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree’s dungeons deliver a spectacle that is both dazzling and terrifying. Knights sprout wings and take flight, altering the combat dynamics, and when the largest bosses prepare for devastating attacks, the music fades out and returns with a completely different tone.
FromSoft continually reshapes the crescendo of a boss fight to reveal something new about your opponent, whether it’s a monstrous transformation or the last burst of energy from a defeated enemy.
FromSoft revitalizes boss come across with creative counters to habits formed during Elden Ring, encouraging you to either fully embrace your chosen playstyle or adapt your build for these dramatic new fights.
Adaptation is key because combat encounters constantly deny old tricks. A catacomb dungeon reintroduces Bloodborne’s dreaded frenzy debuff, forcing you to charge into the unknown or face instant death.
FromSoft has also devised a new, even more vexing type of bird that harasses you like horse-sized mosquitoes on a camping trip. Even the hand spiders return—much to no one’s delight—ready to ambush you in fields.
Everything you dreaded dealing with in Elden Ring is back in a way that feels like a cheeky challenge from FromSoft, followed by a confident handshake indicating that you signed up for this and will enjoy every moment.
The weapons and some of the new movement-based spells demonstrate FromSoft’s ability to innovate within the combat style they popularized, pushing it to a level that rivals the best action games.
The backhand blades, supercharge the age-old tactic of circling around giant enemies with a skill that lets you dash behind them as fast as a regular dodge roll.
But Shadow of the Erdtree introduces devious new counters to every old trick. Enemies like the new Fire Knights are too clever for simple tactics and will launch delayed magical attacks that catch you mid-swing.
Other foes, like the towering furnace golems, don’t take significant blow until you expose their weakness, adding a satisfying complexity to mounted combat.
FromSoft always stays a step ahead, ensuring that no matter how experienced you are with their games, the challenge remains fresh and engaging. This constant back-and-forth keeps me coming back for more every time.
Also read: Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Get the Working Moon Lantern?