As much as I'd love more, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC should be the action RPG's curtain call

GamesAction RpgElden RingAs much as I’d love more, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC should be the action RPG’s curtain callWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesAction RpgElden RingAs much as I’d love more, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC should be the action RPG’s curtain callWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree screenshot

And so it’s finally here: actual moving pictures of Shadow of the Erdtree, the next chapter ofElden Ring. Almost a full year sinceFromSoftwareconfirmed DLC was indeed in the works for its esteemed action RPG (and roughly two years since the base game’s release), we’ve been given our first look at our next steps beyond the Lands Between. Better still, we’ve got a launch date too – June 21, 2024.

As predicted, Miquella will be the star of this show – one that issequel-sized, set in a new location at about two-thirds of the main game’s stature – and, for me, this is a branch of Elden Ring’s speculative narrative thatneedsto be explored. Truth be told, Miquella’s story is theonlybranch of Elden Ring lore that actuallyneedsto be explored.

As someone who’s been waiting for Shadow of the Erdtree before it even had a title, then, it feels strange to say I reckon Elden Ring should in fact call it quits after Shadow of the Erdtree inevitably lands with a bang.

Elden Rings?

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree screenshot

RING OF FIRE(Image credit: FromSoftware)The excruciating wait for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a blessing and a curse for the action RPG

RING OF FIRE

(Image credit: FromSoftware)The excruciating wait for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a blessing and a curse for the action RPG

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree screenshot

The excruciating wait for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a blessing and a curse for the action RPG

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree screenshot

“Light-touch interpretive storytelling is, of course, a FromSoftware cornerstone”

“Light-touch interpretive storytelling is, of course, a FromSoftware cornerstone”

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Don’t get me wrong, IloveElden Ring, and I’d happily learn more about its dragons, about Nokron, about the dancing witches of the Dominula Windmill Village, but I’m pretty content with how their collective deep and sophisticated lore is hinted at as is. The myriad YouTubers who dissect the history of the Lands Between always make for compelling viewing anyway, and I regularly lose myself in the networks of unhinged thoughts and theories that populate Reddit and various other community spaces. Miquella’s story, however, is the only one that I feelneedsa closer look, in the same Artorias' did all those years ago.

Patience, please

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree screenshot

TOUGH ONE(Image credit: FromSoftware; GamesRadar)After almost 400 hours with Elden Ring, I’ve found the action RPG’s hardest enemy – an innocuous, random teleporting knight who you might have missed entirely

TOUGH ONE

(Image credit: FromSoftware; GamesRadar)After almost 400 hours with Elden Ring, I’ve found the action RPG’s hardest enemy – an innocuous, random teleporting knight who you might have missed entirely

(Image credit: FromSoftware; GamesRadar)

Elden Ring

After almost 400 hours with Elden Ring, I’ve found the action RPG’s hardest enemy – an innocuous, random teleporting knight who you might have missed entirely

Elden Ring is an astonishing undertaking, and I’m sure Shadow of the Erdtree will be the same. After that, I want to see FromSoftware spread its wings even wider. I think. There’s every chance I explore Miquella’s story and am left wanting more. And that’s the sign of a studio firing on all cylinders.

Here are the bestgames like Elden Ringto tide you over till the DLC

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5

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