Gather ’round, friends! Today, we’re delving into ELDEN RING: Shadow of the Erdtree, the highly anticipated expansion from FromSoftware. Reviews and user comments have been mixed, ranging from “worth the wait” to “overly negative criticism is undeserved.” Personally, I found exploring these new immersive areas and battling powerful enemies to be a truly thrilling experience.

Indeed, NewGamer, the meticulously crafted legacy dungeons are a standout. They’re brimming with secrets and challenges. While some criticisms focus on the map layout, as one user mentioned, it’s worth remembering the open-world exploration is a cornerstone of Elden Ring. Fans of Dark Souls or Sekiro might have expected a tighter design, but this expansive world has its own charm.

That’s a fair point. What drew me in were the new weapons, spells, and armor. They offered exciting opportunities to redefine my combat style. Whether relying on hand-to-hand combat or experimenting with Thrusting Shields, the gameplay mechanics encourage strategic thinking. It’s far more than endless hack-and-slash; it’s about staying sharp and adapting.

From a speedrunner’s perspective, the gameplay mechanics prompt us to think about optimising our completion times with the best strategies. Despite the complex environment, I found innovative tricks to proceed swiftly. What about the narrative aspects?

The untold story of Miquella’s journey is intriguing. It’s an unseen war where we follow her footsteps, navigating through a complex interplay of personalities and motivations. It’s like peeling layers of an onion.

True, from a world-building perspective, this unveiled aspect of Marika’s hidden past is like completing a puzzle. It deepens the game’s lore, which FromSoftware is known for. Love how they always hide those small, intricate details.

Character development is also crucial. From the horrifying new monsters to Miquella herself, their unique designs and personalities compound the overall game narrative. It connects the player, character and their motivations.

Yeah, and what about the aesthetics and audio? I felt the game’s visually stunning. The open field areas and legacy dungeons are rendered beautifully. And the sound design, well, it keeps you on the edge.

Graphics and sound design are indeed vital in enhancing the game’s atmosphere. FromSoftware has an exceptional record in these areas. Think of how Bloodborne’s unique aesthetic style, and the haunting soundtrack amplified the overall experience.

You’re correct, and let’s not dismiss the challenge level either. It seems some players find the DLC difficult. However, anyone familiar with FromSoftware knows their reputation for inflicting pain and then reward. The Dark Souls series, for instance, is the epitome of this.

True, difficulty adds depth to a game, pushing the player to evolve their skills. It’s like how playing Street Fighter at higher difficulties forces you to master the characters’ abilities more.

As a speedrunner, however, overcoming difficulty is a quest itself. The thrill lies in finding those tiny shortcuts, optimizing movements, all while battling the game’s built-in challenge.

That brings us nicely onto replay value. I believe the secret areas, diverse gameplay mechanics, and hidden storyline branches in this game offer plenty for players to come back to.

Absolutely, like other great FromSoftware games, there is always something new waiting around the corner. Most of their games need multiple playthroughs to really understand and appreciate the world they have built.

To conclude, I’d say that ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree is a uniquely challenging, richly immersive experience. For those who relish open-world exploration, challenging combat, and a deep narrative, this is a game worth trying. If you liked Sekiro or Dark Souls, this could be your next favourite adventure.

Add ELDEN RING: Shadow of the Erdtree to your Steam Library!