The setting of Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring‘s long-awaited expansion, has been a topic of hot debate since the trailer aired a few weeks ago. While we do know that the DLC will take place in an all-new map called the shadow lands, the timeline is a bit unclear.
Where there is uncertainty, there are fan theories. Many have theorized that the expansion will take us into the past or the future, depending on whether a certain scenario has occurred. However, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki has doused water on all the speculation.
Time Travel Hopes Discarded
Shadow of the Erdtree has sparked a flurry of fan theories, one of the most prominent being the inclusion of time travel. This speculation stemmed from the expansion’s promotional material, featuring an image of a seemingly younger Miquella.
However, in an interview with Famitsu, FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki dispelled this notion, offering absolute clarity on the DLC’s timeline.
No, it takes place in the same time as the main title. The setting is not in the distant past or future. The shadow lands and Queen Marika’s past will be told in the same manner as The Shattering was in the main title.
There it is. Confirmation straight from the horse’s mouth that Shadow of the Erdtree will take place within the same timeframe as the base game. This effectively debunks the possibility of revisiting The Lands Between in a different time period, be it past or future.
Shadow Of The Erdtree Will Delve Deeper Into Marika’s Backstory
Miyazaki’s clarification brought closure to the time travel theory but raised curiosity regarding the presentation of the “shadow lands” and Marika’s past. When questioned about their narrative exploration, Miyazaki stated they would be handled similarly to The Shattering’s portrayal in the main title.
This implies that players won’t directly experience Marika’s past or venture into the shadow lands; instead, they’ll likely encounter information through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and potential NPC interactions. This approach aligns with FromSoftware’s signature fragmented narrative style, encouraging players to piece together the story through exploration and deduction.
One can expect the expansion to explore the lingering questions surrounding Marika’s motivations, the circumstances of Godwyn’s demise, and Miquella’s condition and whereabouts. Coupled with the origin of the shadow lands and their connection to the Erdtree, the DLC seems to be a compelling expansion of Elden Ring‘s world.
Ultimately, while Shadow of the Erdtree won’t offer players a literal journey through time, it promises a deeper exploration of the game’s existing lore and timeline, as well as new bosses, weapons, and abilities.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree launches on 21 June 2024 for PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X/S, and PC.
