GamesAction RpgElden RingShadow of the Erdtree has some recycled bosses, but I’m not worried: the 10+ major bosses are unique, and “there are definitely greater challenges awaiting"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAction RpgElden RingShadow of the Erdtree has some recycled bosses, but I’m not worried: the 10+ major bosses are unique, and “there are definitely greater challenges awaiting"When 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 / Bandai Namco)
TheElden Ring DLChas unsurprisingly ended up being a lot bigger than it seemed, with over10 bosses and “around 100” new weaponscoming in Shadow of the Erdtree. Recent impressions of the DLC – you can read ourShadow of the Erdtree hands-on previewhere – noted that there are some familiar bosses in the new area, the Land of Shadow. I remember repeat bosses being one of the few minor negatives circulating among discussion after Elden Ring first launched, especially with regards to catacombs, so I wanted to drill down into some of the specifics for the DLC.
For my part, I found and defeated a familiar dragon boss out in the open fields of the Land of Shadow. It had a fancy new title, the Ghostflame Dragon, and dark fire to match, but it felt exactly like all the other dragons I’ve fought in Elden Ring, excluding the big ones like Placidusax. Elsewhere, reputable Souls YouTuber Iron Pineapple happened upon a Magma Wyrm just like the ones in the base game. He also mentions an Ulcerated Tree Spirit inhis impressions video.
On some level, I can understand being disappointed with repeat bosses, especially in a bespoke $40 expansion. You’re buying new content, so you don’t really want to see the old content again. Exploring and finding new things is a key part of Elden Ring, and I know I won’t be thrilled to fight yet another Magma Wyrm in the Land of Shadow. I won’t be mad, either, just profoundly unexcited.
(Image credit: FromSoftware)
At the same time, I think the worldbuilding value of these bosses is often overlooked. For these specific dragons and wyrms, the fact that the same ones are found in multiple places conveys that this is a believable species of creatures native to multiple regions of this realm, which I actually think is pretty cool. The same can be said for reused architecture, which communicates that this is how the people of this world constructed things. The good news is, wherever you fall on this topic, Shadow of the Erdtree is not lacking in big, new bosses, so I’m starting to see the repeats as more of a complimentary appetizer.
As soon as publisherBandai Namcoconfirmed that the DLC has “more than 10 bosses,” I began to wonder if we’re talking about anything with a health bar at the bottom of the screen. After beating two of the DLC’s Remembrance bosses (and utterly falling in love with one of them), I assumed not – on the grounds that the final enemies for areas like dungeons, Evergaols, and other comparable side challenges would very quickly dilute a pool of 10-or-so bosses. That’s exactly the case: bosses like that familiar dragon aren’t even in the same class.
“The dragon would not be counted among those bosses,” a Bandai Namco representative explained. “It’s just a unique field enemy.”
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“There are definitely greater challenges awaiting those brave Tarnished who venture further into the Shadow of the Erdtree content,” was all Bandai would say, which still speaks to the difficulty curve that lies ahead. I was using a level 150 premade character with a decent melee build during the review, and most everything in the DLC still felt plenty threatening. I’ll be going into the Land of Shadow on NG+ to start, so I’m fully prepared to get my butt cheeks chopped off and handed to me “more than 10” times.
For sheer install size, Shadow of the Erdtree is rumored to be bigger than all of Sekiro and almost a third of Elden Ring itself.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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