Since its debut back in 2022, Elden Ring has managed to gain a reputation for its brutal difficulty, with the game going to incredible lengths to hammer down the unprepared Tarnished. Over the years, we’ve seen countless innocent souls falling victim to the many dangers of the Lands Between.
With Elden Ring‘s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC finally out now, gamers were hoping for a more relaxed experience where they wouldn’t be obliterated the second they head out for their adventures. However, Shadow of the Erdtree beats the base game in terms of its difficulty.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Had No Plans of Reducing Elden Ring’s Difficulty Level
Elden Ring‘s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is undoubtedly one of the biggest DLCs in recent memory and has played a crucial role in revitalizing the gaming community’s interest in FromSoftware’s incredible open-world Soulslike. But while many fans were hoping for lowered difficulties, it seems like Miyazaki has some other plans.
The Guardian got a chance to sit down with Miyazaki and talk about FromSoftware’s latest expansion for Elden Ring. While talking about the game, he also addressed the never-ending debate surrounding the difficulty of FromSoftware games. According to Miyazaki, lowering the Elden Ring’s difficulty would completely break the game!
Turning down difficulty would strip the game of that joy – which, in my eyes, would break the game itself.
It makes sense if you think about it. The challenge in these games is what allows them to stand out. overcoming a tricky section or boss in Elden Ring gives players that rush of adrenaline, which can’t be matched by anything else. Bringing down the difficulty would definitely strip Elden Ring of that joy and go against its core philosophy.
FromSoftware games are always on the higher spectrum of difficulty, but they bring ways to make the challenge more manageable. Leveling up your character, grinding for experience, and summoning other players are major ways to succeed at the game.
Shadow of the Erdtree Gives Veteran Gamers The Challenge They’ve Been Desperately Seeking
From what we’ve seen so far, it appears that Shadow of the Erdtree has massively expanded upon the fundamental aspects of the Elden Ring, which made the game so beloved. Part of what made the base game so acclaimed was the unique ways the title crafted challenging encounters for players to navigate through.
Veteran players who were hoping to see even more of these challenges will be happy to know that Shadow of the Erdtree has upped the difficulty over the base game.
With the new boss, Messmer the Impaler, looking to rival the might of Malenia, it’s clear that Miyzaki and his team have brought a DLC that is intended for experienced gamers. Seasoned players who’ve already destroyed everything that stood in their way in the main game should have no problem accessing the expansion since they’ve already defeated Mohg and Radahn.
However, those who’re just beginning their Elden Ring adventure might be surprised how long it can take to reach the point where they can beat these two bosses to finally access Shadow of the Erdtree.
Are you excited about the new DLC? Are you prepared to take on new bosses? Let us know in the comments.
