Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – An Annihilating, Heart-Stopping Work Of Art

A Mysterious Journey into the Uncharted

As I step into the exceedingly vast terrains of Shadow of the Erdtree, I feel a sense of wonder and discomfort stirring and expanding in my body. It is a feeling that very few pieces of artwork have been able to sublimate. There’s something truly intriguing about how this expansion is, on one hand, welcoming and at the same time lets the user know that every wrong move shall be paid for. This DLC has over 40 bosses, 10 of which are core fights that reward Remembrances. Each battle is an intricate puzzle to be solved with skill, timing, and a little bit of strategy. 

Miniboss Fights Respect and Praise

Having defeated Mohg, Malenia, and the Elden beast, I was now deeper into the game, and my every other encounter came with an advantage. I became unquestioningly confident while walking into my very first major boss encounter in the DLC. What could this game throw at me that I hadn’t challenged myself with? Shadow of the Erdtree had an emphatic answer.

Every swing from this monolithic goddess fighter, intertwined with golden roots, was a dance of death - forcing me to remain surgeon precise with her movements. I rolled through fists not expecting to make contact, and for the first time, my heart was racing. When I finally delivered the killing strike, my hands were still shaking, but my shout of triumph was echoing throughout the lands in between.

It’s not mere combat; it’s art woven through a sequence of events that cannot be erased from existence. Each boss narrates through its own attack patterns and even through the closing moments of their own demise.

The World Beyond the Roots

The world design in Shadow of the Erdtree can be called nothing short of a masterpiece. The base game’s map was nothing short of a marvel as it had a multi-layered approach to design, and this new expansion is no different – it is equally masterfully designed. In fact, the new regions are abundant with secrets just waiting to be revealed, therefore making it so much more interesting.

With bated breath, I came across a decaying cathedral and was left speechless as sunlight sparkled and streamed through every broken stained glass window, resulting in a unique blend of eerie and colored shadows dancing on the cathedral’s floor. A strange inscription within spoke of the guardian’s tragic downfall, revealing a hauntingly beautiful boss fight waiting to be explored. There is, without doubt, a lack of adequate words to describe the brilliant level of environmental storytelling.

These interactions, alongside the exploration, make it feel thrilling in the best manner. There are enemies hidden behind every rotting wall, and some blend in so well with the surroundings that it results in what seems to be hunting the hunter. However, the never-ending hunt for new weapons, enigmatic NPCs, and clues does tend to make all the risks worth it.

Collector’s Editions and DLC Goodies

As a die-hard fan, it wouldn’t come to me as a surprise if you set your sights on the Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Edition. Don’t get me wrong, the Standard Edition is good value for money at just $40. The Premium Bundle, however, comes with extra goodies that are just too good to ignore: a beautiful digital artbook, an enticing official soundtrack, and a unique in-game gesture. Those bonuses for pre-ordering are quite useful, but I wouldn’t say they aren’t achievable through hard work.

Still, there’s no point in sugar-coating it - these bonuses are aimed at the hardcore fans: the content hunters, and players who wish to experience this universe from every angle. For me personally, it is not only owning that content that matters. It is also honoring the effort that goes into building a world as compelling and beautiful as Elden Ring.

Why Shadow of the Erdtree Is a Must-Play

Shadow of the Erdtree isn’t just an expansion; it is a reason why we play these games. It pays heed to the adrenaline rush of somehow escaping a berserk boss, the immense satisfaction of uncovering a well-kept secret – a route that leads to something unimaginable, and the sense of victory that washes over me after finally besting a fierce challenge.

For those who adore Elden Ring or the Soulslike genre, this type of DLC content is hard to exhaust. For both veteran and newcomer Tarnished, do not let this masterpiece slip away.

Does It Live Up to Elden Ring’s Legacy?

After hours of playtime with Shadow of the Erdtree, I can firmly assert it stands the test well. The base game set an impossibly high bar, but this DLC does enough to clear it. ​Whenever I look upon them, I am reminded of how I felt when I first entered the Siofra River or Nokstella: pure amazement and wonder.

One location I especially liked was the Withering Vale, an expansive open terrain filled with golden wheat stalks that sway in the breeze. It’s nothing short of beauty until you find yourself ambushed by spectral knights on horseback who appear from the haze like vengeful phantoms. For those who buy cheap PS4 games, encounters like this are deliberately crafted to catch the player off guard, always encouraging observance, while punishing recklessness.

The lore is as stunning. Theories and imaginations run wild with enigmatic item descriptions and environmental storytelling, putting a level of detail and depth in the game about as delicate and dreamlike as it gets.

The Artbook

You can argue with me all you want, but the art book by itself is a goldmine for lore nerds like me. Turning its pages feels like looking through the folds of a city filled with decay and beauty. Each illustration has a life of its own, from spine-chilling portrayals of Miquella’s dream world to the brutal concept art of the bosses that yell, “You will die here. Over, and over, and over, again.” In addition to the artbook, the digital soundtrack has to be the best not only above, but around, and is filled to the brim with heartbreaking boss themes and atmospheric sounds. Tsukasa Saitoh has done it again and outdone himself once again.

But, let’s be real: the "M" effing essmer figure is the crown jewel here. M effing standing tall and menacing, it is a brittle reminder of all the times he will undoubtedly cause the controller to shatter. The statue is astounding, every intricate and ghastly detail making him oddly beautiful, is captured.

Final Verdict

So, is splurging on the Collector’s Edition worth it? If you’re a hardcore fan of the game and you did not have Elden Ring standalone, then yes. The quality of the figure, art book, and even the soundtrack justifies the price for someone who wants anything other than gameplay. It is more than just a game relic; it is something to be treasured long after you have beaten Messmer as the nemesis for the fifteenth occasion.

That note, if your interest is solely in the DLC, the Standard Edition covers all the bases outstandingly. It is the final goodbye for Elden Ring, a remarkable farewell that will, unfortunately, leave a permanent scar on this genre for a while.