Elden Ring is undoubtedly one of the most popular titles ever released from FromSoftware. The studio has released titles in the past that have received much acclaim. This includes titles like Bloodborne, the Dark Souls series, and Sekiro Shadows Die Twice.
Anyone who has played Elden Ring might wonder what comes next for the title after the DLC. It is worth noting that the studio has not announced the DLC’s release date, so it is uncertain when it will be released. Regardless, it makes sense to ask what avenues the studio could explore after the title releases in the foreseeable future. It could be another expansion, a sequel—something that FromSoftware hasn’t done in a long time—or an entirely different franchise, too!
Will there be Elden Ring 2 after Shadow of the Erdtree, or will the studio offer something else?
The triple-digit hours that one elapses as they finish the main story and the side quests, in inarguably one of the most well-designed video games in recent years, are most undoubtedly rewarding. If anything, just calling it rewarding might be underselling it. It is an experience that is almost second to none and stands right alongside other titles that have seen universal acclaim.
Elden Ring‘s lore is incredibly prosperous. That doesn’t come as a surprise since George RR Martin was involved in the game’s world-building. For those unaware, George RR Martin was the one who wrote The Song of Ice and Fire, which was later adapted into the Game of Thrones.
Now, regarding the studio’s plans for the game’s expansion, there have been various times when the studio has hinted at something like that. The second volume of the game’s official guide by FuturePress is an interview with the studio director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, who had this to say:
As for the reason behind the Roundtable Hold’s existence, while there is lore that answers this question, it’s something we decided not to touch upon in this game,
The last line is paramount to the discussion, considering it comes from the studio’s director and might mean the game will receive a sequel. Everything known about the Shadow of the Erdtree promotional art that readers can find embedded above reveals very little, but still something about where the expansion can head. Firstly, the promotional art shows a figure on horseback who is likely to be Miquella, as highlighted by a fan on the game’s official subreddit here.
This may mean that the sequel might as well, just like the DLC, that will most likely expand on the crumbs revealed in the title. For example, the Roundtable Hold that Miyazaki-san talks about might be a good starting point for the sequel.
Not to mention, usually, FromSoftware games are very heavily focused on gameplay, and it is the gameplay that forms the heart and soul of any SoulsBorne title. The avenues that could be explored just because the gameplay is the series’ focus and not the story could be plenty. The sequel could be set in the distant future, or the second part of the game could be a prequel.
On the other hand, FromSoftware might focus on another expansion that could go in any of the mentioned directions from the first title. But one can only comment on that after Shadow of the Erdtree releases and where it takes the game.
On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, FromSoftware has not been going the sequel route consecutively for quite some time now. This is evident from the studio’s release timeline. They almost always focus on a different franchise after they release a game, as they did with Bloodborne after Dark Souls 2 and Armored Core 6 after Elden Ring. And also when Sekiro was released after Dark Souls 3.
Regardless, fans are waiting for Shadow of the Erdtree to release so they can finally jump back into the game and enjoy new content. What do you think FromSoftware’s next step after Elden Ring should be? Let us know in the comment section below!
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
