The games of Hidetaka Miyazaki are unique experiences that will take players through not only grand and awe-inspiring locations but also those that embody the sentiments of darkness and decay. His worlds are not ones for the faint of heart, with danger around every corner and death your constant companion.
FromSoftware has mastered the art of creating such worlds, and the studio wears its inspirations on its sleeve. Berserk, one of the most well-known pieces of Japanese media from the mind of Kentaro Miura, is heavily referenced in all of Miyazaki’s games and the same is true for the DLC.
Hidetaka Miyazaki Continues to Pay Homage to Berserk in Elden Ring DLC
The late Kentaro Miura is hailed as a masterful storyteller and artist, creating not only a compelling narrative but also basing it in a world that is truly unlike any other in media. The level of detail he put into his manga panels is truly astounding, and it makes sense why Berserk has been such a source of inspiration for so many other notable works of art and media.
Miyazaki is no different, and there are multiple references to the manga across every one of his games. Elden Ring has some very overt references, such as the character of Blaidd, the sword grave markers, and, of course, more Dragon Slayers.
The story trailer for the DLC featured another reference to the manga, but this is a bit more subtle. At the start, we see Queen Marika pulling what appears to be golden hair or string from a body bag and then kneeling between two large gates or walls as a strong gust of wind blows from between them.
She is kneeling on the side of a gate amidst what appears to be a mass slaughter, with the walls of either gate made of people reaching out towards Marika. The entire scene is very reminiscent of the Eclipse event from Berserk and is considered by many to be one of the best-drawn panels in the series.
Shadow of the Erdtree Will Feature Horrific Events to Rival Berserk
While it can’t be denied that Miura has traumatized a generation with his work, Miyazaki is not one to be outdone easily. The events taking place in the upcoming DLC are so horrific that Queen Marika removed all mention of the events and Messmer. This would explain why there is never a mention of the Land of Shadow in the base game.
Exploring the world and understanding what took place will be part of the adventure as we follow in the footsteps of Miquella the Kind. Miquella himself is a reference to Griffith, Guts’ mortal enemy in the series. However, in Elden Ring, he truly is a positive influence, and we are going to understand why he has come to this new realm.
The DLC is now less than a month away, and pre-orders have begun. Given that it’s one of the largest DLC pieces created to date by FromSoftware, it’s going to feel like a standalone game by itself, which is music to fans of the studio.
Have you noticed any other Berserk references in the trailer? Let us know in the comments below!
