FromSoftware is well-known for its stellar world-building, and the new Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is shaping up to be another feather in their cap. Fans of the Souls series praise how the developer can hide lore throughout the world which makes understanding the overarching story an intricate treasure hunt.
Elden Ring could very well be their largest game so far, with The Lands Between spanning several locations, not to mention all the underground dungeons we crawl through. The game’s map is set to expand even further, so much so that Shadow of the Erdtree could be a full-fledged game on its own!
The Shadow of the Erdtree Elden Ring DLC’s trailer has Fans Foaming at the Mouth
The trailer dropped on the official Bandai Namco YouTube channel just a few hours ago, but fans are already professing their love for it, and FromSoftware. The 3-minute trailer has given us a glimpse of what the expansion will bring, and it looks like a lot. We’ve seen new enemies, bosses, weapons, spells, areas, and even characters.
The expansion is set in a completely new map featuring vast open-world areas and dungeons, like the base game. But Miyazaki has stated the Elden Ring DLC will offer “a denser and richer level design,” to make the world feel more seamless.
We also saw a plethora of new creatures (enemies, of course) that we will be encountering as we explore this new world. We also appear to have a new main antagonist, a mysterious red-haired character named Messmer.
With the game featuring one of the most talked about, but also elusive, characters from the base game, Miquella, there are going to be a lot of questions that need answers. The entire world of Elden Ring somehow hinges on his actions and presence, which means the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is going to have a lot of content, enough that it could even be its own game!
FromSoftware has Always Given Fans Substantial Game Expansions
Whether it be the many expansions to the Souls series or The Old Hunters expansion for Bloodborne, FromSoftware has never shortchanged its fans. The studio’s track record of beefy DLCs is thanks, in large part, to the way it creates worlds and builds narratives.
By breadcrumbing the player instead of exposition dumping, FromSoftware gives itself windows to create branching narratives that spin off to become stories of their own. This allows the studio to really flesh out the game world, making it much more realistic with history and deep lore.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is following a similar principle by delving into the story of Miquella who was more of a heard-but-not-seen character in the base game. It builds intrigue around a character and leaves fans wanting more. Expect to see many more VaatiVidya videos in the coming few weeks based on the trailer alone!
What was your favorite moment in the trailer? The weapons, the spells, the creatures? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
