GamesRPGThe Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is the best thing it could possibly be: more Elden Ring, but way harderWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGThe Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is the best thing it could possibly be: more Elden Ring, but way harderWhen 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)
The first and lastElden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is exactly what I wanted. It’s what I imagine most everyone wanted. It is Elden Ring made new again. It is literally and figuratively transportive. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree whisks players to the Land of Shadow, a predictably oversized new map –FromSoftwarejust can’t help itself – that presents a noticeably more punishing realm.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
The FromSoft special
(Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco)
Just as Elden Ring built on everything FromSoftware learned through its previous dark fantasy RPGs, Shadow of the Erdtree seems to boil down, and double down, what made Elden Ring so enthralling. It delights in screwing with you. It has branching paths that lead to branching paths that lead to branching paths. Imposing castles squat in the distance, watching unblinkingly as you chop through legions of men, monsters, and monstrous men hoping to pry open those tempting far-off doors and find the really cool sword inside. It’s got somber, bewildering, and sometimes even lovable characters, some of whom “like finding things” because “things bring joy to all,” as my new favorite NPC informed me. It hasgod awfulbirds that would like to nest inside your esophagus, please.Great.
(Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco)
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Bury me with this sword
(Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco)
We were given three level 150 characters to choose from in the preview. Following my standard rule for such events – when in doubt, choose the tanky class – I went with the knight equipped with full plate armor and a new sword called Milady. This is one of the light greatswords, and it’s now one of my favorite weapons in the entire game. Light greatswords might be my favorite new weapon archetype too, but there is stiff competition.
Milady – I am never getting over that name either – feelsincredible, a perfect balance of power, speed, and reach. It’s like the Bloodhound’s Fang crossed with a claymore, with a unique stance-based Ash of War capable of swift mid-range light combos and an impressive long-range heavy thrust. I had to force myself to put it down.Come on, Austin, you’re supposed to sample all the new weapons here.At the time, I thought I’d struck gold with one of the better blades, but then every single weapon I tried after that was either promising or eyes-popping-out-of-my-head amazing.
There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game.
There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game.
There’s a special flamberge with aridiculouslylong fire thrust that comes with its own enchantment. The fisticuffs martial arts weapon class is as fun, aggressive, and high-risk as it sounds – primed for monk role-playing. Similarly, new claws let you leap around with bestial flourish. Normal-looking spears and axes hide game-changing ranged attacks. One dagger has a throwing knife as a guard counter. Spiked dueling shields turn the best defense into a respectable offense. The appropriately named Backwards Blade is slick on its own, but really comes to life when you dual-wield it – a recurring theme for the DLC, with FromSoftware seemingly leaning into the popularity of paired weapons. There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game. I cannot wait to take them back into the Lands Between to bully some bosses.
FromSoftware wasn’t kidding when it said the new weapons are a central draw. I didn’t see everything, obviously, but it sure felt like every build and playstyle is catered to, including all schools of magic thanks to reams of powerful spells. A small, slow-moving wisp of holy light that becomes a 10-foot explosion on contact. A miniature black hole that corrals enemies and then ruptures. Sprint toward enemies with fistfuls of gunpowder and chuck fireworks right up their nose. Even ranged weapons get some love, with the full-auto crossbow living up to the promise of the words “full-auto crossbow.”
Nevermind, these guys will bury me
(Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco)
Here comes the other shoe: enemies and bosses are a lot stronger, too. Which is, of course, also terrific news. Even at level 150 – granted, on an unfamiliar build missing several items and spells that I consider essential – the Land of Shadow felt utterly unforgiving. It goes without saying that I died a lot. I’d be worried if I hadn’t. There are multiple normal enemies that woulddestroymost dungeon bosses in the Lands Between, and the two major Remembrance bosses that I beat were equal parts epic and intimidating. Imagine an extended version of the main game’s final four bosses.
The dancing lion shown off in multiple trailers felt almost like a Monster Hunter boss, weaving in bites and tail swipes between shifting elemental attacks. It took me a bit to learn how to handle its onslaught and find openings to counter, from blocking stones to jumping over lasers. The other boss, the knight Rellana, is my new favorite fight in the entire game and earned her own separate article, plus her Remembrance can be traded for what might be my new favorite FromSoftware weapon of all time. I also defeated a dragon out in the open world, but it felt exactly like the dragons already in Elden Ring apart from breathing a different color of fire. This was in the final 10 minutes of my session, and frankly I welcomed the familiar fight.
(Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco)
In three hours, Shadow of the Erdtree rekindled my appetite for Elden Ring. As soon as I got home from the preview event, I was back on my level 200 spell swordsman, scouring the world for upgrade materials to make absolutely certain that I’m prepared to max out all the cool stuff awaiting in the Land of Shadow. It’s demonstrably larger than the DLCs for the likes of Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne. For all intents and purposes, it almost feels like a new, small FromSoftware game is coming out. Shadow of the Erdtree will inevitably be a lot shorter, sure, but possibly even sweeter.
TOPICSSummer Game Fest
TOPICS
CATEGORIESPS5PS4Xbox OneXbox Series XPC GamingPlatformsPlayStationXbox
CATEGORIES
PRODUCTSElden RingSummer Game Fest 2024
PRODUCTS
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5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”