Fans of Elden Ring and of the Soulsborne genre could be in for a treat. As FromSoftware has announced its first and possibly only expansion pack for the multi-award-winning game. Titled Shadow of the Erdtree, the DLC looks set to add to the already considerable lore and expansive world-building that went to the monster of a game that was released over two years ago.
There is a lot to speculate on such an expansion pack, given the pedigree of the game and the army of fans not only for Elden Ring but for the Souls franchise as a whole. Whilst the two main trailers that the developer has released do reveal much, it is unclear what the game is trying to accomplish. Given its heavy emphasis on combat, environmental storytelling, and atmosphere, as opposed to being a narrative-heavy game.
Elden Ring Expansion – Bigger and Badder
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The first look at the two trailers gives the impression that FromSoftware may be going for more spectacle: with bigger, ‘badder’ enemies, newer environments, and just more of everything it did (and did well) in the main game. Whilst there are hints of a deeper story or at least the exploration of the winding narrative that George RR Martin helped weave for Elden Ring, the focus will naturally be on the combat.
In the gameplay trailer, there was no ambiguity about Shadow of the Erdtree’s razor focus on satisfying player demand for more fights with bigger, weirder, and presumably harder enemies. Enemy variety is likely to be a natural concern for long-time Elden Ring and Souls game players. By the end of Elden Ring, one almost got the impression that FromSoftware had exhausted itself in terms of enemy types, that even the sheer ridiculous in terms of look and movement (e.g., a large mobile pot) were now on the menu.
So this will be a wait-and-see question. Considering the fact that the game is priced at $ 39.99 players will be looking for their money’s worth in terms of length and story. Whilst hardcore fans will just want more Elden Ring.
Selling Point: The Story, The World or the Gameplay?
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Now this is where things may get tricky. The story trailer for Shadow of the Erdtree which was released about a week ago unveiled a number of things. It teased what seemed like a new villain, larger conflicts and bigger stakes, with new challenges that are built into the very fabric of the mysterious world that the player will have to confront and overcome.
Taking a step back, a deeper question is: who is this game for? Despite its great popularity, the Elden Ring is not a perfect game. Its immense difficulty, especially for players new to the genre, with challenging boss battles and a story that really required investment from the gamer, meant that it was not everyone’s gaming cup of tea. Despite the many accolades the game received.
This means the expansion pack is going to have to build on these foundations. Whether the game can add and also ‘simplify’ certain elements like storytelling in-game and accessibility for new players is another matter. And at this stage, it is not a good bet to expect things to be so.
In closing, what can be said with any degree of certainty is that Shadow of the Erdtree is going to be a serious addition to the already massive game that is Elden Ring. More world-building, deeper lore, and possibly even new gameplay mechanics. But it is not likely to be an easier experience. And that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
About the Author
Damian Thar writes on a range of topics. In addition to his professional work, he writes essays on subjects like philosophy, history, and culture. He also writes and edits books and in his free time, he makes YouTube videos on topics like religion, theology, and current events. You can find his work here.
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