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FromSoftware’s highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has finally arrived, promising new challenges and mysteries within the Lands Between. But does this expansion live up to the monumental legacy of its predecessor? This review delves into the world of Shadow of the Erdtree, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to answer that very question.

Alt: A panoramic view of the Shadow Lands in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, showing the darkened Erdtree in the distance.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Experience

Accessing the new Realm of Shadow requires players to have progressed a certain way in the base game, namely defeating Mohg and Radahn, and reaching a specific location within Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. This sets the stage for unraveling the enigmatic fate of Miquella. While such prerequisites are common for FromSoftware DLCs, Elden Ring‘s open-world nature presents a unique challenge in balancing difficulty for players at vastly different levels.

Alt: The player character exploring a dark and gloomy environment in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

FromSoftware addresses this with the Scadutree Fragment and Revered Spirit Ash system, offering a new layer of character progression specifically for the DLC. Collecting these fragments empowers the player, scaling both damage output and resilience, ensuring even high-level players face a substantial challenge. This encourages thorough exploration to uncover these fragments, rewarding curiosity and adding a compelling new gameplay loop.

This scaling system effectively bridges the gap between seasoned veterans and newcomers to the DLC, ensuring a rewarding experience for all. My initial foray into the Shadow Lands, even with a Rune Level of 160, proved surprisingly challenging. However, as I gathered more Scadutree Blessings, the tide began to turn, allowing me to truly appreciate the new content.

Alt: Combat scenario in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, showcasing a new enemy type resembling a flaming golem.

A Treasure Trove of New Gear

Shadow of the Erdtree expands the already vast arsenal of Elden Ring with over 100 new weapons, dozens of armor sets, talismans, and spells. The sheer volume of new equipment is so substantial that the game now features a “Recent Item” tab in the inventory, a welcome addition for managing the overflowing loot. Whether you favor strength builds, dexterity-focused combat, magic, incantations, or hybrid approaches, there’s something new to discover.

Alt: Close-up of a new weapon, the Dryleaf Art, in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The weapon resembles spiked gauntlets.

From the Dryleaf Art gauntlets, reminiscent of Tifa’s combat style in Final Fantasy VII, to the Milady Light Greatsword, evoking Geralt’s whirling attacks in The Witcher 3, the new weapons offer both unique aesthetics and powerful Ash of War abilities. There are even quirky additions like a greatsword that fires geckos and a dual-tipped shield for piercing attacks. Some, like the Bloodfiend’s Arm and Carian Sovereignty spell, are undeniably powerful and may require future balancing.

The inclusion of nine additional Larval Tears allows players to experiment with different builds, complementing the expanded Spirit Ash summon options for those who prefer a more tactical approach to combat.

Alt: The player character facing off against a new boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The boss appears large and imposing, with distinct visual design.

Visually Stunning and Expansive

Just as the initial view of Limgrave captivated players in the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree opens with a breathtaking panorama of the Shadow Lands, dominated by a darkened Erdtree. The vastness of this new area surpasses initial expectations, featuring both horizontal expanse and layered verticality.

Alt: Exploring a large, castle-like structure in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The architecture is intricate and reminiscent of classic Dark Souls level design.

The DLC embraces the open-world freedom of Elden Ring, allowing players to explore at their own pace, uncovering secrets and tackling challenges in any order they choose. From Miquella’s sanctuaries to hidden catacombs and challenging mini-bosses, there’s a constant sense of discovery. Getting stuck on a boss? Simply venture elsewhere and return later, stronger and more prepared. The world feels truly alive, with unexpected encounters and hidden pathways waiting around every corner.

The visual design is equally impressive, ranging from ethereal beauty to imposing grandeur. I frequently found myself pausing to admire the scenery, capturing screenshots of the stunning landscapes. My playthrough clocked in at over 25 hours, a testament to the sheer amount of content packed into this expansion.

Frustrations in the Shadows

Despite its strengths, Shadow of the Erdtree is not without its flaws. The initial release was met with criticism regarding difficulty, primarily stemming from camera limitations and certain boss encounters.

Alt: The player character fighting a large, monstrous boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The camera angle is close, potentially obstructing the player’s view.

Several bosses are either oversized or highly mobile, making the already close-quarters camera a significant hindrance, especially for melee builds. The camera often struggles to keep up, leading to disorienting spins, obscured vision, and difficulty landing attacks. Some bosses also boast extended attack chains, leaving little room for reaction and punishing even the slightest miscalculation.

While performance has improved since the base game’s launch, occasional frame rate drops still occur, even with the “Prioritize Frame Rate” option enabled. These issues, while not game-breaking, do detract from the overall experience.

Alt: A challenging combat encounter in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The player character is dodging a boss attack while surrounded by visual effects.

Conclusion

Shadow of the Erdtree offers a compelling expansion to the world of Elden Ring, delivering a wealth of new content, stunning visuals, and challenging encounters. While certain camera and boss design choices can be frustrating, they don’t overshadow the overall quality of the DLC. For fans craving more of the Lands Between, Shadow of the Erdtree is a worthy addition, providing a substantial and rewarding experience.