Elden Ring was heralded as an instant classic when it launched in 2022, garnering hundreds of awards, including the prestigious “Game of the Year” win at the annual Game Awards. When FromSoftware announced that Elden Ring would receive one massive DLC, fans salivated at the chance to dive into another challenging adventure in the Lands Between. Now that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is available, does it live up to the hype? A masochistic level of difficulty is guaranteed, but let’s find out if that pain equates to any sort of pleasure as we dive into the most anticipated DLC of this generation.
Into the Land of Shadow
Like the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree is abundant in content, with a length that rivals most full-priced releases. Instead of simply adding a few zones and bosses to the existing Lands Between, this DLC transports players to the Land of Shadow, a brand-new map with lore to learn and secrets to uncover. Like the Lands Between, the Land of Shadow was once a lively place of culture and civilization, but it has since been “veiled” by Queen Marika, and left to rot in a state of war. As the Tarnished, we enter the Land of Shadow in search of Miquella, child of Queen Marika and twin brother of Malenia, who has fled here for reasons unknown.
To access this DLC, you must first eliminate two bosses in the base game: Radahn and Mohg. Once these two enemies are defeated, you’ll encounter Needle Knight Leda at the base of Miquella’s cocoon in Moghwyn Palace. As one of seven loyal followers of Miquella, Leda informs us that her leader has fled to the Land of Shadow, and we decide to tag along. This whisks us away to the new DLC zone, which is packed with incredibly tough enemies, multiple zones, hidden bosses, and much more.
As its name implies, the Land of Shadow is an exceptionally dreary place, and it acts as a sort of afterlife for all manner of wayward souls. Here, you meet with the rest of Miquella’s followers and begin a quest to track down the missing demigod. To do so, you must travel the Land of Shadow and locate Miquella’s Crosses, which mark important locations in the journey forward. As you trail the path of this mysterious and seemingly infallible figure, you’ll discover long hidden truths that shatter the very foundation of Elden Ring‘s narrative. While some story revelations might leave scratching your head, most of them will likely leave your jaw on the floor.
Loot, Die, Repeat
Shadow of the Erdtree offers a non-linear progression style that encourages exploration, as it is necessary to power up your character in meaningful ways. This DLC isn’t just tough, it’s basically twice as hard as the base game, but there are a few ways to help ease the pain. Scattered across the Land of Shadow, you can find two new upgrade items, Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, which improve your character’s stats and your summons respectively. There are also 103 new weapons to wield, including 8 new weapon types, such as light greatswords, rapid-fire crossbows, dueling shields, martial arts, and more. You can also equip your Tarnished hero with tons of fresh gear, ranging from powerful talismans to flashy armor sets and goofy helmets.
It wouldn’t be a souls-like game without some incredibly tough bosses, and Shadow of the Erdtree definitely delivers in that regard. Out of the 80 bosses in the Land of Shadow, 10 of them are “Rememberance” bosses, offering large-scale spectacle, interesting lore, and powerful new gear. In truth, some of these bosses are immensely cool, but some feel unfair and imbalanced. Messmer the Impaler, the boss that graces the front cover of the DLC, took me at least 30 tries to defeat. While battling Messmer is an enjoyable fight that requires precision and finesse, the same can not be said for every new boss, as there are a couple of oddly designed foes that are more headache-inducing than anything else.
Despite the occasionally annoying boss or slightly barren areas, Shadow of the Erdtree is everything that Elden Ring fans have been asking for. It’s brutally tough, beautifully dark, and overflowing with content, sure to keep you engaged for at least 30 hours. In many ways, Shadow of the Erdtree feels more like a half-sequel than a DLC, due to its expansive scope and exceptional quality. It’s a rewarding and lengthy experience that provides more great Elden Ring action, but with a decidedly darker tone and setting. If you loved Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree is a great excuse to jump back in, as long as you’re ready to embrace the pain and emerge triumphant.
