FromSoftware’s games are well-known for their tough challenges, complex lore, and deeply engaging gameplay. The developer’s latest offering, Elden Ring’s DLC, is no different.
One highly dedicated fan, Ziostorm, has recently shared his thoughts on the final boss of the DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. His tweet has sparked discussions about the lore implications of the entire game.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Boss Is a True Test of Skill
In a tweet that quickly gained traction, Ziostorm praised the final boss in Shadow of the Erdtree as the hardest boss that FromSoftware has created so far. This is a significant statement, considering the studio’s history of creating notoriously difficult bosses.
The DLC final boss really is the last big challenge for Elden Ring. Definitely the hardest boss FromSoftware has ever cooked up.
Though, the lore is questionable to me and I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I see the vision.— Ziostorm (@Ziostorm1) June 23, 2024
Just like Bloodborne’s Orphan of Kos, the company has a reputation for the expansions being a bit more difficult than the game, and the final boss of the expansion is the same. According to to the fan, this new boss takes the difficulty to a whole new level.
Players need to be on top of their game, using every skill and strategy they have learned throughout their journey. He was impressed with it but questioned the lore implication of the final boss. Without going into too many spoilers, let’s just say that fans are looking at Miquella in a brand-new light.
Just like with the base game, the lore and characters aren’t always explicit, and sometimes it takes the community months to piece together different aspects of the lore such as in weapon and item descriptions, and bits of dialogues, to come up with more reliable answers.
Likewise, it will take weeks for the lore experts to put in all of the new revelations from the expansion and come up with a coherent and consistent explanation of everything that happens in regard to a few major characters from both the base game and the expansion.
Elden Ring Has Always Had Cryptic Storytelling
FromSoftware’s games are renowned for their cryptic storytelling. Environmental details, item descriptions, and obscure NPC dialogue all contribute to a rich and multifaceted lore that players must piece together themselves. This approach has created a dedicated community of lore enthusiasts who spend countless hours deciphering the hidden secrets of the game world.
The lore in Elden Ring follows this established formula. The history of the Lands Between and the motivations of its characters are revealed in small fragments, and bits and pieces, forcing players to actively engage with the world around them.
The game’s lore, crafted in part by George R.R. Martin, is rich and complex. The expansion was expected to deepen this lore even further, but Ziostorm’s comment suggests that the final boss may not fit as seamlessly into the story as some hoped.
This sentiment has been echoed by other players who have expressed concerns about whether the new boss aligns with the established lore of the game. In the end, FromSoftware has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable gaming experiences, and the latest expansion is likely to be no different.
What did you think of Shadow of the Erdtree’s final boss? Let us know in the comments.
