Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Reviews
Exactly as engrossing and meticulously designed as you'd expect of FromSoftware but even by their standards this is an enthralling slice of DLC that underlines and enhances the achievements of the original.
A masterfully designed expansion to one of the best action RPGs of the last decade that not only complements the base game but expands its thematic and systemic scope even further.
Like the base game did before it, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for single-player DLC expansions. It takes everything that made the base game such a landmark RPG, condenses it into a relatively compact 20-25 hour campaign, and provides fantastic new challenges for heavily invested fans to chew on.
Shadow of the Erdtree is so packed with new content that it almost feels like a sequel to Elden Ring.
FromSoftware’s highly anticipated DLC could be a standalone game, it's just that good
Expansion as complex as Shadow of the Erdtree has no real right to be labeled as a traditional DLC. Two-year long development cycle has spawned another story rich soulslike adventure across the Lands Between, or rather its shadowy counterpart. It is a world truly deprived of grace that alas suffers from a few technical issues too, but it never fails to just simply awe. Prepare to face the hardest From Software bosses to date, explore the most vertically varied biodiverse world and get ready to feel through the sounds and designs of the Shadow Realm.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
I think that’s the biggest point here, is that even though my expectations were high, Shadow of the Erdtree still managed to exceed them. From Software probably could have just added more Elden Ring and that would have been solid enough, but instead, Shadow of the Erdtree is yet another innovative iteration of the genre.
Much of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is more of the same gruelling beauty - but a shift to explict storytelling and signposting means its essence as a living, evolving shared text is lost.
Even 40-plus hours in, I’m still figuring out how to tackle a particularly nasty dragon. And despite cursing all the bosses I’ve felled so far, as they’ve beaten me into submission dozens of times, I’m looking forward to going back and starting it all over at some point, ready to take on the challenge again.
It’s an extended encore and a haunting final bow for Miyazaki Hidetaka’s magnum opus.
I'm both happy and sad that Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and last expansion for Elden Ring. On one hand, it's a masterfully woven experience that expands on the contents of the base game, whereas on the other it leaves much more to be desired with its disappointing final boss. That being said, it's still very much worth your time if you're craving some more Elden Ring.
Beware a big bump in difficulty, but Shadow of the Erdtree is a must-play for Elden Ring-fans. It improves on the base game in every way. The new Lands of Shadow are beautiful and a joy to explore, there are a lot of exciting new weapons and spells to find, and the new boss fights are absolutely epic.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree was worth the wait and then some. While I said this was FromSoftware’s most ambitious DLC yet, and that’s not hyperbole. If you enjoyed Elden Ring, you’ll love everything about this DLC. Savor it since Hidetaka Miyazaki has said there won’t be more content after this.
There's no doubt in my mind that there's more to do still in Shadow of the Erdtree if not in this playthrough than definitely the next. If anything, all those missed connections and areas unexplored only make the prospect of returning to the Realm of Shadow on New Game+ with a bunch of new toys to play with that much more enticing.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the biggest and most ambitious expansion ever developed by FromSoftware. However, it could have been flawless if it weren't for the over-the-top recycling of enemies. Even so, the challenging boss fights and the great sense of exploration with the addition of new layouts on the maps make Shadow of the Erdtree an excellent conclusion to the Elden Ring journey.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It’s a continuation of what made the Elden Ring fantastic in the first place. An epic adventure!
Shadow of the Erdree is an excellent expansion to Elden Ring. Poison swamps, giant swords, and fingercreepers return, better than ever.
Shadow of the Erdtree not only expands upon Elden Ring's lore and gameplay mechanics but also enriches the experience with its atmospheric storytelling and intricate world design. It beckons players to embrace the daunting journey through the Shadow Realm, promising a gripping adventure that resonates with the hallmark blend of challenge and discovery. What's on offer is one of the best FromSoftware experiences to date, capturing everything that made Elden Ring special and more.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is everything one could want from an Elden Ring DLC: a huge new area to explore, new bosses to fight, new weapons to try, and new lore to unravel. It is a genuine joy to play and easily one of my favorite DLCs of all time. Its quality is high enough to even justify the $40 price tag. If you like Elden Ring, then Shadow of the Erdtree will give you everything you could want. If you're a newcomer, it's probably best to play through the game first before taking on the DLC. After all, Mohg, Lord of Blood is only the beginning.
Shadow of the Erdtree is a sensational companion to the base game that feels remarkably fresh and a subtly progressive evolution of the Elden Ring formula.
