Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (Steam Code)
First Impressions of the Big DLC
Elden Ring’s latest expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has ignited a surge of excitement among players. It offers a fresh, compelling experience, almost like starting a new Elden Ring adventure in a new, unexplored realm. My three-hour play session, even with a level 150 character equipped with end-game gear, confirmed the DLC’s promise of challenging encounters and captivating exploration.
Mitchell’s Favorite Soulslikes
For those craving the intense and rewarding experience of Soulslike games, my top picks include Elden Ring itself, Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Dark Souls III, Bloodborne, Demon’s Souls, Nioh 2, Nioh, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Dark Souls 2. These games, in my opinion, capture the spirit of challenging exploration and satisfying combat. You can view my complete ranked list on iGV.
Initial Exploration and Encounters
My journey began at the Cocoon of the Empyrean Site of Grace, where the optional boss Mohg, Lord of Blood, resided. However, instead of a typical boss fight, I encountered Leda, an NPC, who guided me into the Realm of Shadow, a new and vast area. The very first enemy I encountered, characteristically, proved challenging. The environment mirrored the initial awe of Limgrave, replete with intriguing areas like crypts, ruins, and a looming castle. These early encounters hinted at the complexity and scale of the DLC’s content.
New Challenges and Discoveries
The Realm of Shadow’s size is impressive. My exploration instantly felt familiar, yet strikingly novel, echoing the first moments of discovery in the main game. The immediate presence of explorable areas, like a crypt, ruins, and a distant castle, were exciting and inviting. Even ordinary enemies brought a new level of intensity. A particularly frustrating encounter involved a high-flying enemy with dual chakrams, making evasion difficult. These new encounters, far from being trivial, added a welcome layer of difficulty.
The First Dungeon: Belurat
Belurat, the first substantial dungeon, proved substantial, roughly comparable in scale to Stormveil Castle or Castle Morne. While not a massive legacy dungeon, it boasted enough optional paths and challenges to keep exploration exciting. Enemies ranged from relatively weak but ambushing guards to ferocious scorpions, giant Gravebirds, and heavily armored knights. Each enemy encounter felt like a unique puzzle to solve.
The Divine Beast, Dancing Lion
The boss of Belurat, the Divine Beast, Dancing Lion, was a formidable foe, requiring strategic combat. I utilized the new summon, Black Knight Commander Andreas, and switched to a more agile weapon like the Backhand Blade. The boss’s alternating ice and lightning phases created another dimension of complexity, forcing adaptability and quick thinking to overcome its devastating attacks.
Castle Ensis: The Challenge Continues
Castle Ensis, the second major dungeon, evoked the style of Caria Manor but with its own unique challenges. The area was filled with magic-wielding foes, including a giant in Carian armor and a particularly formidable Carian Knight, reminiscent of challenges encountered in the main game. Exploration, while rewarding, felt somewhat limited given the time constraints. The fights were notably difficult, particularly Relanna.
Relanna: A Testing Boss Battle
Relanna, the boss of Castle Ensis, proved exceptionally challenging. She combined formidable melee attacks with powerful magic, creating a formidable test for even a level 150 character. Relanna’s second phase, with flaming swords and the devastating shockwaves, demanded careful timing and quick reactions. Conquering her proved to be a significant achievement.
Resources and Support
The Realm of Shadow offers resources to mitigate its challenges. Scadurtree Fragments reduce enemy damage within the realm, similar to Sacred Tears in the main game. Reverend Spirit Ash blessings enhance summoner damage, bolstering support options. These adjustments provide a more personalized combat experience.
New Weaponry and Exploration
New weapons, talismans, armor sets, cookbooks, and even a Dragon Smithing Stone emerged during my exploration. The new weaponry provided unique combat mechanics. For example, the Heavy Smithscript Axe could be thrown, while the Milady weapon art featured a series of fluid follow-up attacks. The Backhand Blade’s dual-sword form and unique weapon skill added further diversity. Limited time prevented extensive exploration, however.
Overall Impressions and Future Potential
My three hours with Shadow of the Erdtree was a rewarding and challenging experience. The vast new realm, challenging encounters, and exciting discoveries clearly hinted at even more potential waiting to be unveiled. The looming path to another dungeon, marked by Miquella’s crosses, and the evident uncharted territory suggested that further exploration would be even more rewarding. The DLC’s June 21 release date is eagerly anticipated. Further exploration is essential for a full appreciation of the expansion’s content.
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