Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Review - FromSoftware Continues To Impress, Even With DLC

Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware have delivered an expansion for their blockbuster action RPG Elden Ring that hits all the spots and chews up any player naive enough to think that their overpowered characters stand a chance against the new content. It’s roughly 20-30 hours long, depending on a player’s eagerness to explore and their skill in dealing with the most difficult encounters. This is no picnic. This is no half-baked add-on to satisfy the masses. This is a true expansion in every sense of the word, and despite a hefty price point, it’s probably the best piece of DLC ever released.

A DLC meant to frustrate and push your skills past your limits

Off the bat, it’s smart for FromSoftware to gatekeep the Shadow of the Erdtree by requiring players to defeat a specific boss on the main path, plus an optional boss that’s guarding the entrance to the DLC. The optional boss, whom less than half of players defeated before the DLC’s release, was a great test for players thinking of rushing into the new content, as the area where said boss resides is normally only reachable after 50+ hours of game time (faster for veteran players, of course). With this in mind, I had to replay the game to prepare myself for the new content as I made a new character and also revisited my old characters, since the last time I played Elden Ring was back in 2022.

I was rusty, and with good reason. But no matter how much I prepared for the DLC, it wasn’t enough. I never felt a sense of ease while exploring this new area. The bosses were unforgiving, something that I and most of the soulslike community greatly appreciated. There’s no sense of respite or big opening, as once you enter the boss' domain, you’ll need to bring your best as they’ve tailored these fights with the expectation that players engaging with them are seasoned and well-equipped. 

The little things make these DLC bosses far more difficult in comparison to those in the base game. Foes that dual-wield are the worst, as there’s always a lingering second attack that punishes those too reliant on the i-frames of their character’s dodge, or who find refuge in their high-poised shield block. Some combos feel like they go on forever, something that personally tested my stubbornness while learning their move sets. Every major boss felt like a massive roadblock. I’ve spent hours on several encounters, resulting in this review coming out rather late as I’ve been struggling with some of them, and this is exactly what I wanted and expected from the DLC. 

“Git gud?” Definitely. As in any soulslike game, the feeling of finally achieving victory over these monstrosities brings a unique high that I’ll always appreciate. It feels like a heavy fog has lifted, resulting in a new path filled with other encounters ready to deliver a similar feeling.

Messmer the Impaler was one of the toughest bosses that stood out for me, but what I appreciate about FromSoftware’s boss fight philosophy is that some bosses feel difficult or easy depending on the player’s playstyle and build. As I progressed through the DLC, I saw colleagues and friends express that one particular boss or another was far more difficult than the ones I personally found challenging. I had a conversation where I was saying that Messmer and the final boss tested my limits, but Rellana and another boss were far more punishing for them. Each boss brings a new set of challenges, either forcing players into familiar places or uncomfortable positions through sheer pressure. You need to keep adapting.

An open world that’s beautiful and knows how to inflict pain

Beyond the boss encounters, Shadow of the Erdtree’s open world delivers yet again with a strong sense of exploration, rewarding those eager to upturn every rock in the hopes of finding something rewarding. The quality of the environments is on par with the base game. Some might even argue that the art direction has improved. FromSoftware’s design philosophy has emphasized how exploring is king, and each new weapon or item entices me to give it a shot, and since I’m using a character with a crazy amount of materials, upgrading them to make them viable for the DLC content was a breeze.

My new favorite is the Milady weapon, equipped with a unique moveset that somehow decimates new enemies, breaking their poise and leaving them open for easy punishment. The DLC not only provides new weapons but also new Incantations, Spells, crafting items, armor sets for flair, and a lot more.

When you explore and gain the new DLC items, don’t think it’ll be a breeze going from one new boss to another, as the open world has its fair share of crazy enemies that could be mini-bosses in their own right thanks to their crazy move patterns. I never felt safe despite being over level 150+, as they designed the DLC to make every hit and every damage taken mean something, keeping the tension. The unfamiliar will be punished by this world, and no amount of health or leveling up will prepare you for ambushes and traps found in either the new dungeons or locations.

New upgrades - Scadutree Fragments and Spirit Ash Blessings

There’s a sense of balance in the DLC as the game gets a bit more manageable if players pick up Scadutree Fragments and Spirit Ash Blessings found in the new map, another major incentive to explore the land.

As mentioned in my initial impressions on the DLC, you will come across items called Scadutree Fragments as you explore the new location. These items increase a player’s damage output and enhance their damage mitigation. Spirit Ash Blessings improve your summons and increase the life total of your trusty steed, Torrent, making them all more resilient against the expansion’s most deadly foes.

Simply put, there will be more room for error with these upgrades. It doesn’t necessarily make the game easier, but it will make the difference whether your character can survive three boss attacks instead of two. I like the additions, as it brings the experience back to its roots - ergo, despite your level and weapons, these encounters will always feel like you’re always a few seconds away from revisiting the ‘You Died’ screen for the nth time.

Planting more lore seeds for the diehards

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion also has its fair share of storytelling in the most FromSoftware way. Things are still vague, but there’s a series of new characters introduced that provide more context to this part of the world, with new details that will entice lore enthusiasts that pieced the Elden Ring world together. Remember those living pot creatures? We get more information about them. You might find a piece of added lore by simply stumbling upon a deep dungeon complex with a short boss waiting at the end. 

I was never much of a fan of the storytelling style of FromSoftware’s soulslike games, and if you’re on the same boat, don’t expect much to change here, as they embrace their style and deliver it the same way as they did in the base game. 

This is one of the meatiest expansions I’ve ever encountered in a video game. It could be its own game. All of the additions Shadow of the Erdtree makes are everything a Soulsike fan could hope for, as they’ve delivered a challenging experience with fresh ideas not only in the boss encounters, but in the environments, enemy variety, and even new items that freshen up the co-op and even player versus player space. While many think the price point for the DLC is a bit steep, I can clearly say what you get here more than justifies the asking price, and if you love Elden Ring, you should definitely not skip Shadow of the Erdtree.

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Verdict: 5/ 5 (Exceptional)

PROS

• Fascinating boss battles that are challenging and unique

• A massively beautiful new location filled with novel surprises, enemy types, and encounters

• New equipment and spells freshens up the two-year-old game, encouraging new builds revolving around them

• Scadutree Fragments and Spirit Ash Blessings are a great solution to preserve the game’s unique experience

CONS

• Price point might feel a bit steep for some

• The requirements to access the DLC are necessary but intimidating

What I’ve Played 

• Beaten all of the key bosses (missing some optional)

• Explored most of the new location (I think)

• Played the DLC through two characters

*This review is based on a review copy provided by the publisher

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