The Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is the best thing it could possibly be: more Elden Ring, but way harder

GamesRPGThe Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is the best thing it could possibly be: more Elden Ring, but way harderWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGThe Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is the best thing it could possibly be: more Elden Ring, but way harderWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: FromSoftware) The first and lastElden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is exactly what I wanted. It’s what I imagine most everyone wanted. It is Elden Ring made new again. It is literally and figuratively transportive. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree whisks players to the Land of Shadow, a predictably oversized new map –FromSoftwarejust can’t help itself – that presents a noticeably more punishing realm. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games out of Summer Game Fest. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub. The FromSoft special (Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco) Just as Elden Ring built on everything FromSoftware learned through its previous dark fantasy RPGs, Shadow of the Erdtree seems to boil down, and double down, what made Elden Ring so enthralling. It delights in screwing with you. It has branching paths that lead to branching paths that lead to branching paths. Imposing castles squat in the distance, watching unblinkingly as you chop through legions of men, monsters, and monstrous men hoping to pry open those tempting far-off doors and find the really cool sword inside. It’s got somber, bewildering, and sometimes even lovable characters, some of whom “like finding things” because “things bring joy to all,” as my new favorite NPC informed me. It hasgod awfulbirds that would like to nest inside your esophagus, please.Great. (Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco) Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Bury me with this sword (Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco) We were given three level 150 characters to choose from in the preview. Following my standard rule for such events – when in doubt, choose the tanky class – I went with the knight equipped with full plate armor and a new sword called Milady. This is one of the light greatswords, and it’s now one of my favorite weapons in the entire game. Light greatswords might be my favorite new weapon archetype too, but there is stiff competition. Milady – I am never getting over that name either – feelsincredible, a perfect balance of power, speed, and reach. It’s like the Bloodhound’s Fang crossed with a claymore, with a unique stance-based Ash of War capable of swift mid-range light combos and an impressive long-range heavy thrust. I had to force myself to put it down.Come on, Austin, you’re supposed to sample all the new weapons here.At the time, I thought I’d struck gold with one of the better blades, but then every single weapon I tried after that was either promising or eyes-popping-out-of-my-head amazing. There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game. There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game. There’s a special flamberge with aridiculouslylong fire thrust that comes with its own enchantment. The fisticuffs martial arts weapon class is as fun, aggressive, and high-risk as it sounds – primed for monk role-playing. Similarly, new claws let you leap around with bestial flourish. Normal-looking spears and axes hide game-changing ranged attacks. One dagger has a throwing knife as a guard counter. Spiked dueling shields turn the best defense into a respectable offense. The appropriately named Backwards Blade is slick on its own, but really comes to life when you dual-wield it – a recurring theme for the DLC, with FromSoftware seemingly leaning into the popularity of paired weapons. There are “around 100” new weapons in the DLC and I fully expect them to redefine the entire game. I cannot wait to take them back into the Lands Between to bully some bosses. FromSoftware wasn’t kidding when it said the new weapons are a central draw. I didn’t see everything, obviously, but it sure felt like every build and playstyle is catered to, including all schools of magic thanks to reams of powerful spells. A small, slow-moving wisp of holy light that becomes a 10-foot explosion on contact. A miniature black hole that corrals enemies and then ruptures. Sprint toward enemies with fistfuls of gunpowder and chuck fireworks right up their nose. Even ranged weapons get some love, with the full-auto crossbow living up to the promise of the words “full-auto crossbow.” Nevermind, these guys will bury me (Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco) Here comes the other shoe: enemies and bosses are a lot stronger, too. Which is, of course, also terrific news. Even at level 150 – granted, on an unfamiliar build missing several items and spells that I consider essential – the Land of Shadow felt utterly unforgiving. It goes without saying that I died a lot. I’d be worried if I hadn’t. There are multiple normal enemies that woulddestroymost dungeon bosses in the Lands Between, and the two major Remembrance bosses that I beat were equal parts epic and intimidating. Imagine an extended version of the main game’s final four bosses. The dancing lion shown off in multiple trailers felt almost like a Monster Hunter boss, weaving in bites and tail swipes between shifting elemental attacks. It took me a bit to learn how to handle its onslaught and find openings to counter, from blocking stones to jumping over lasers. The other boss, the knight Rellana, is my new favorite fight in the entire game and earned her own separate article, plus her Remembrance can be traded for what might be my new favorite FromSoftware weapon of all time. I also defeated a dragon out in the open world, but it felt exactly like the dragons already in Elden Ring apart from breathing a different color of fire. This was in the final 10 minutes of my session, and frankly I welcomed the familiar fight. (Image credit: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco) In three hours, Shadow of the Erdtree rekindled my appetite for Elden Ring. As soon as I got home from the preview event, I was back on my level 200 spell swordsman, scouring the world for upgrade materials to make absolutely certain that I’m prepared to max out all the cool stuff awaiting in the Land of Shadow. It’s demonstrably larger than the DLCs for the likes of Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne. For all intents and purposes, it almost feels like a new, small FromSoftware game is coming out. Shadow of the Erdtree will inevitably be a lot shorter, sure, but possibly even sweeter. 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wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”