ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Review

Daniel Soresco
4 min readJul 17, 2024

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All this talk of Shadow of the Erdtree may make one feel obsessed, but in all honesty, I don’t know what’s happening or if this DLC exists at all — like I said above it has truly left an impactful mark on my brain and seems real enough. Though its predecessor, Lands Between, is already mind-bending enough — this DLC takes it one step further!

The haunting beauty of the Elden Ring DLC environment, shrouded in mystery.

How Fans and Critics Received the Game?

From my interactions with fellow Elden Ring fans, the general sentiment seems to be: mind-blowing. Critics are not afraid to name it a “masterpiece” and many see it already as a GOTY winner. With all these praises, it is easy to recommend you buy Shadow of the Erdtree. People seem amazed and puzzled over new areas; bosses appear insane; story stuff has more theories floating around than stars in the sky — making every player into a detective trying to solve one big mystery or another!

Tarnished warrior stands victorious in the Lands Between, holding the Elden Lord crown.

Here are just a few quotes as examples:

  • “Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterclass in expansion design. It expands upon the core game without overstaying its welcome, offering a dense and rewarding experience.” — IGN
  • “Shadow of the Erdtree is not for the faint of heart. The new bosses are brutal, but the sense of accomplishment when you finally defeat them is unparalleled.” — PC Gamer
  • “The Shadow Realm is a haunting and beautiful place. FromSoftware has once again proven their mastery of world-building.” — GameSpot
Elden Beast, a colossal creature, defeated by a player in the Elden Ring.

Shadow of the Erdtree Has an Intriguing Narrative Thread

From your very first step into this new realm, you are immediately immersed in an immersive narrative that draws upon and extends upon its core game counterpart’s intricate tapestry. At its heart lies an unnerving beauty: haunting environments boast unsettling yet captivatingly macabre surroundings; enemies with terrifying designs evoking both fear and admiration alike, lighting that casts long and menacing shadows signaling horror just beyond sight — this game offers it all!

The serene yet ominous landscape, a hallmark of Elden Ring’s world.

Engaging in Intense Combat in Shadow of the Erdtree

Combat is more fluid and responsive, encouraging greater expression and creativity from players; new areas offer diverse environmental hazards and enemy types requiring players to adapt accordingly; FromSoftware has made significant strides toward iterative improvement so these changes feel both familiar and exciting! Offering challenging yet rewarding gameplay experience that keeps players coming back for more — whether veterans of Soulslike games or newcomers looking for their first taste — Shadow of the Erdtree provides something special for every adventurer out there — be they veterans or beginners in its fold — so are you Tarnished ready to embrace its darkness once more?

New depths and secrets revealed in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

Shadow of the Erdtree Expands Upon and Refines Core Gameplay Mechanics

Shadow of the Erdtree delivers everything we wanted from a DLC and more; it’s like getting an entirely new game without actually buying one and this is the reason why it is a great choice for those looking to buy cheap PS4 games. But let’s be real here; Shadow has also presented us with new challenges, like having nightmares about giant winged lizards trying to devour us while trying to function normally in society.

A moment to strategize before a boss fight.

Character Development

Are we really witnessing characters use their environment in ways never imagined before? Towering structures collapse to become both weapons and shields while even the ground seems to ripple with malevolence; all making for an environment in which anything could — and likely will — happen. As far as character classes or customization options, I am still trying to decide between a fashion model or a walking weapon for my character. There is more choice here than at most pizza places! When it comes to magic schools or incantations, learning them feels almost like learning another language with its vocabulary entirely consisting of fireballs and lightning strikes.

Conclusion

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC goes far beyond just providing DLC; it’s more like an extended love letter for fans of Elden Ring! Expanding upon the Elden Ring world both familiarly and unexpectedly provides both a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience, so no matter if you are an experienced Tarnished player or a newcomer to Lands Between this expansion is a must-play experience! This is a game that everybody should play, and the developer and publisher did a magnificent job allowing players to get a great deal no matter if they get the full game + DLC or just the DLC (congrats!)

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Daniel Soresco

I have fun playing video games and occasionally I write reviews.