Elden Ring, by default, is a massive game that encompasses hundreds of stories that tell the history of the Lands Between. Add to this a giant DLC and you have a universe created by a studio that never stops exploring the depths of fantasy fiction.
Shadow of the Erdtree likely raises more questions about its world than it answers, and fans can’t help but wonder how the game’s campaign could have ended under different scenarios.
Spoilers for Shadow of the Erdtree‘s ending ahead:
Elden Ring Players Are Hypothetically Re-Writing the Game’s Ending
Through a post on Reddit, Elden Ring player Kikolox challenged the community to come up with ideas for the game’s ending. Something that we haven’t seen yet, and a story that has its twists and turns.
From comments about Miquella’s fate in Shadow of the Erdtree to suggestions for an alternate ending for Radahn, the fan base has been full of creative and thoughtful ideas.
Write the best plot twist the ending of SOTE you think it could have had
byu/Kikolox ineldenringdiscussion
However, a comment by user Soggy_Stomach9766 paints a picture that few of us could have visualized. The player mentions how the Scadutree Avatar could be the one that gives the Tarnished a better look at what’s hiding behind the surface.
Based on this theory, defeating the Scadutree Avatar could lead to a “true ending” that focuses on the Land of Shadow, and answers some important questions fans may have about this realm.
Furthermore, this theory also opens room for an idea that could have never been achieved by Miquella’s motives. Instead, players would finally find a truer age of compassion, where the world feels different from what exists at the moment.
There’s More to the Land of Shadow Than What We’ve Seen
Shadow of the Erdtree’s focus on the Hornsent and Marika’s actions may have given fans a lot to ponder about. However, given the complexity of FromSoftware games and how Hidetaka Miyazaki chooses to direct a narrative, we can’t help but theorize alternate possibilities.
Given how the Tarnished is often burdened by all that’s going on in the Lands Between, there’s often a matter of choice when it comes to the campaign’s ending. For instance, Elden Ring gives players multiple ways of concluding the story.
Building on that school of thought, the player’s experience in the Land of Shadow could see more than just a single possibility. Was it just a dream sequence and retelling of events of the past, or something that affected everything that encompasses this universe?
If it were up to you, how would Shadow of the Erdtree’s story conclude? Do you think FromSoftware should expand on this theory further? Let us know in the comments below.
