Is Elden Ring the magnum opus of FromSoftware? The question is asked. On the other hand, no one can question the fact that this is the game that changed everything for the studio. With more than 23 million units sold, or more than half of the sales of the Dark Souls trilogy (around 35 million for the three episodes combined), it is the biggest commercial and critical success in the history of FromSoftware and one of the biggest Bandai Namco hits of all time. The arrival of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which we were able to test a few days ago, should spark the same excitement.
Elden Ring is the FromSoftware game of all records. It beat all the studio’s other productions by a wide margin, even one of the titles most loved by fans, the aptly named Bloodborne which is still awaiting a sequel. The beautiful story couldn’t stop there, and for two years, the developers have been shaping their largest extension ever produced to date. Prepare your backpack, vials of patience, self-control and a new controller, because you will really need it for your return to the Kingdom of Between-Earth on June 21.
Beauty from another world
The story of Elden Ring Shadow of the World Tree should still be cryptic and only reveal its secrets to the most curious, like that of the main game. What we know at this point is that the story revolves around Miquella the Clement, Malenia’s brother, and Messmer the Impaler who is the threat of this next chapter. A new journey only accessible on the condition of having triumphed over General Radahn and Blood Lord Mohg. Two particularly fierce bosses
Once you have completed this challenge, you will be ready to visit the lands of the Shadow Kingdom. A region even larger than Necrolimbe, the first area of the game, and which reveals all its charms from our first steps in this new place. FromSoftware is known for its to-die-for art directions. Elden Ring is no exception and neither is its DLC. An epic breath instantly emanates from this meadow which welcomes us. An environment full of tombs, with in the middle an immense colossus of fire determined to bring us down without delay, which contrasts completely with the clarity and light of the first territory of the game. This vision of the World Tree in the distance, masked in part by darkness and surrounded by dungeons, also further increases this feeling of adventure promised by the expansion and our desire to explore every corner. Including the most disturbing places like this other cemetery under the mist, as well as the most intriguing like this castle located to the east and guarded by a giant. The DLC also still has the ability to allow the player to identify where to go, just by having a panoramic view of the landscapes.
The DA, which always mixes different influences (heroic / dark fantasy, horror, etc.), is made of reinforced concrete. A pure treat. On the other hand, where Shadow of the Erdtree risks surprising, it is in its level design. He intends to blur the boundary between the old, more linear formula and the current, more open one. The developers’ intention is to offer a denser level design, without compromising richness, and to diversify the overall experience. “ This is a change from the level design we had where there was a real distinction between large areas and dungeons. There will be large open areas, and Legacy Dungeons, but we have also experimented with an in-between to provide a more diverse gaming experience » Hidetaka Miyazaki said. And we have already seen it with our own eyes. The level design will undoubtedly still be ingenious, full of surprises, and with its share of shortcuts to unlock.
A challenge always there
If the Elden Ring DLC is a new invitation to travel that cannot be refused, it is however not a walk in the park. The challenge is tough, very tough, and should challenge veterans who will inevitably lose their teeth sooner or later on the ten major bosses that make up this expansion. Even with a large life bar, and maximized equipment, we quickly succumbed to the attacks of the enormous beast seen in one of the trailers. A humanoid creature with a lion’s head, pupils reminiscent of Trico (The Last Guardian), which is, so to speak, an XXL version of the Guardian Lion. Despite the suffering experienced, we can only still admire FromSoftware’s know-how to create bosses that stand out from a character design point of view, but also in terms of the way of stage these boss fights. It’s a before, during and after event. There is always this desire to go further, during each confrontation, with increasingly impressive and deadly attacks. Ambitions have not been lowered and the expansion should therefore honor this tradition of ultra-classy and deadly bosses.
But the small fry are not left out. If we find a similar bestiary with knights or the Lazuli sorcerers and their stone mask, FromSoftware renews the bestiary with new piafs who spit blue fire or even flying insect men. Here too the character design hits the mark. You will be free to decimate them with the build of your choice, but always with the greatest caution. None are there to roll out the red carpet for you, especially not these insufferable wizards who constantly teleport, and the death counter will tick by at full speed for the most reckless and greedy. The other notable difference is that you will find skills, spells and equipment unavailable during the previous adventure, with more than 100 new weapons across eight categories and classics such as the katana, a dual-purpose ax to strike in close combat or on the contrary keep an opponent at a distance by throwing them, and even martial arts movements with kicks which we were however unable to put to the test. All of this aims to offer variety in the gameplay, and provide more offensive and defensive possibilities, with an even more exhilarating feeling of satisfaction with each hit that hits. With each finish or elimination behind the back.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree offers legendary spirits like the Fingercreeper – which was previously an enemy – to distract a boss by tickling it, or the famous piaf which breathes blue fire. But nothing beats one of the summon knights who can deal significant damage while remaining resilient. Ideal if you prefer to have valuable help in overcoming the boss-induced challenge. Finally, the DLC also introduces new fragments, similar to golden seeds, whose effects are only valid within the Shadow Realm. And they are very useful since once spent at a grace site, they can reinforce the damage inflicted and act to reduce the damage suffered. Another type also boosts legendary spirits or the faithful steed in the same way.
We’re waiting for the Elden Ring DLC… impatiently
Despite a good game session, where the deaths were more than legion, it is clear that Elden Ring Shadow of the World Tree will not disappoint fans of the main game. The artistic direction, the character design or the staging of the bosses cannot be faulted. It’s still a slap in the gums à la FromSoftware. We constantly want to delve into each dungeon, into each threatening alley to see what the new approach to level design has in store. The challenge will be met, of course, but FromSoftware provides tools to better cope, whether via weapons, equipment, new spell invocations, which at the same time offer a variety of gameplay. See you on June 21, 2024 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC to suffer again, but with a smile. Summer is going to start very strong.