Things Shadow Of The Erdtree Does Better Than The Base Game - August 2024

Highlights

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC refines Elden Ring with expanded lore, improved storytelling, and more accessible NPC quests.
The smaller, more focused Shadow Lands encourage natural exploration and unique dungeon levels with valuable rewards.
New weapon types and animations enhance combat, providing Tarnished players with exciting options and expanding the game’s lore.

Elden Ring’s Shadow Lands DLC: A More Focused and Accessible Experience with Enhanced Exploration, Dungeon Variety, and New Weapon Types

Since the debut of Elden Ring in 2022, it’s evident that FromSoftware has gained valuable insights from creating this critically acclaimed game. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is a testament to their learning process, offering an enhanced experience for fans by building upon the elements they cherished while addressing some design and mechanics concerns.

As a gamer, I can tell you that this expansion is truly impressive in scope, encompassing an expansive and intriguing region filled with new discoveries. Previews prior to its release even compared its size to Limgrave, the game’s initial area, but it genuinely feels larger in every way. The diverse terrain of the Shadow Lands adds to this sensation. Although the fundamental gameplay mechanics remain consistent, the DLC enhances and expands upon them in various ways.

1 Lore

Builds On The History Of The Realm

Things Shadow Of The Erdtree Does Better Than The Base Game

Players must uncover the truth about one of the more prevailing mysteries, the absence of Miquella
The DLC reveals the Dragon Cult’s origins, Marika’s heritage, and more

George R.R. Martin, famous for his work on “Game of Thrones,” teamed up with FromSoftware to create the intricate world and enigmatic storyline of “Elden Ring.” The fusion of Martin’s rich storytelling and FromSoftware’s cryptic presentation brings The Lands Between to life, leaving players pondering as many questions as they uncover answers. “Shadow of the Erdtree” further explores these game mysteries.

The expansion deepens our understanding of the base game by delving into its intricate characters and factions, shedding new light that may shift players’ viewpoints. The lore of the base game was already profound, but this downloadable content raises the bar even higher, providing answers to numerous queries while sparking fresh questions for contemplation.

2 Story Accessibility

Easier-To-Follow Main Story And NPC Quests

The smaller open-world makes it easier to track down NPCs and continue their questlines
NPCs in the DLC often leave notes and maps to help the player progress

Just like other Soulsborne games, the storyline of Elden Ring might be challenging to grasp, particularly when it comes to NPC questlines. This deliberate complexity is meant to keep players engaged by requiring them to carefully listen to conversations, decipher item meanings, and observe their surroundings in order to comprehend why they’re engaging in combat. While this added layer of intrigue can be rewarding, the potential for confusion may outweigh the benefits at times.

Due to the compact size of the region and the availability of notes and maps from characters, finding and advancing NPC stories becomes somewhat simpler in “The Shadow Lands” DLC. Additionally, since players have already explored the main game and become accustomed to its complex narrative, this expansion offers a more streamlined and approachable experience while maintaining the essence of the game.

3 World Exploration

Dense And Vertical Map

The beautifully crafted open world encourages more natural exploration without checking the map
It always feels like there’s more to discover, with seemingly insignificant pathways leading to whole new regions

The realm of Elden Ring boasts breathtaking vistas and meticulously crafted landscapes that narrate captivating stories through visual cues alone. Its expansiveness knows no bounds, encompassing an enormous land area teeming with distinct domains and diverse cultures. In contrast, the Shadow Lands may be more compact but succeeds in offering a wealth of content without overburdening players.

Discovering new territories in this game is more seamless, as you keep the maps for unexplored regions concealed longer, thereby fueling curiosity. The process of uncovering new areas continues to feel like an exciting revelation. The rugged terrain may obscure vast expanses from sight or tantalize us with enticing landmarks that seem just out of reach. The foundation of the game remains robust, but FromSoftware has skillfully refined every captivating aspect of the Lands Between and incorporated it into the Lands of Shadow.

4 Dungeon Variety

New And Interesting Dungeon Levels

Dungeons are far less repetitive than in the base game, and more intentionally placed
Each Mini-Dungeon feels unique with interesting enemies and puzzles to solve

As a devoted fan of Elden Ring, I can’t help but acknowledge the frequent criticism regarding the monotony found within its dungeon design. Numerous players have voiced their concerns over the recurring enemy types and bosses encountered in these dungeons, which leaves many craving more diversity and incentive to explore. This issue is not new, as similar complaints were raised about FromSoftware’s Chalice dungeons in Bloodborne. The developers have taken note of this constructive feedback, as evidenced by the significant enhancements made in their DLC offerings.

Although some repetition continues, it never feels tiresome or monotonous in this case. In contrast to The Lands Between, mini-dungeons present new and intricate elements each time, complete with imaginative adversaries, captivating puzzles, and distinctive bosses. Additionally, the rewards are significantly more lucrative, rendering these adventures a more satisfying investment of time. This notion holds true for the larger Legacy Dungeons as well.

5 Weapon Types

Brand-New Weapon Types And Animations

Hand-to-hand martial arts are a joy to use with satisfying kicks and punches
The quick and stylish Backhand Blades are great at catching enemies off-guard

In the core game, there’s an extensive collection of weapons and spells for the Tarnished, all skillfully executed. However, these elements mainly adhere to conventional fantasy themes, offering little novelty. With the DLC, FromSoftware seized this chance to introduce fresh weapon types that deviate from typical player expectations.

In addition to the existing arsenal, intriguing innovations such as Backhand Blades, elegant Hand-to-Hand Arts, and agile Light Greatswords are introduced, along with other weapons. These new additions not only amplify combat excitement in both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) scenarios but also deepen the regional lore by providing context to their discovery.

2024-07-14 01:06