Highlights

  • Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring's upcoming DLC, should overhaul character creator options for more immersive gameplay customization.
  • In a genre known for immersion, enhanced character customization in Elden Ring's DLC would push the game to new heights of player engagement.
  • Other hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 underscore the need for better character customization in FromSoftware games moving forward.

Elden Ring recently celebrated its second anniversary by announcing that its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, will be released on June 21. Promising to be developer FromSoftware's biggest, most ambitious DLC yet, Shadow of the Erdtree will be packed with new content for fans to explore. For players who have desperately been waiting for more Elden Ring content, this was extremely exciting news. Among all the new bosses, areas, and weapons, Elden Ring's DLC should also revamp its character creator options, allowing players to create much more varied, unique-looking playable characters.

FromSoftware has dabbled with character creator options in its Souls series since 2009's Demon's Souls was released for the PS3. While many of the Japanese developer's gameplay mechanics have been universally praised as best-in-class, it's fair to say the character creator options aren't quite up to scratch when compared to some others. Despite offering impressive build variety, and giving players multiple ways to tackle the daunting challenges within the games themselves, Elden Ring's current character creator models, and the options within them, could improve. FromSoftware should use its upcoming DLC to rectify this.

Elden Ring Malenia Title
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Elden Ring's DLC Should Enhance Character Creator Options

As technology has advanced within the video game industry over the years, character creation has become more and more prevalent. Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and 2023 Game of the Year Winner Baldur's Gate 3 have shown exactly what is possible in terms of customization options. Despite Elden Ring being a significant step forward when compared to some of FromSoftware's older games, things such as only two body types to choose from show that there is still room for improvement.

Hidetaka Miyazaki's team has developed a reputation over the past decade for producing nothing but high-quality content, so it makes sense that it should strive for the best with its customizable character options too. Modern-day gamers have a different set of expectations when it comes to creating their playable characters, and particularly in third-person games, where the character is visible on screen at all times, many spend significant periods of time getting their character to look exactly how they want. For these players, Elden Ring's limited options simply aren't sufficient.

Enhanced Character Customization Options Would Help Further Elden Ring's Immersion

The RPG genre is renowned for its immersion. In a genre where players like to fully immerse themselves in a game's world and the characters within it, more diverse character creator options usually lend themselves well to increasing immersion. Should Elden Ring's DLC enhance these options, alongside launching new weapons and armor, it will further cement the game's status as one of the best action RPGs ever made.

Despite Elden Ring being a significant step forward when compared to some of FromSoft's older games, things such as only two body types to choose from show that there is still room for improvement.

New characters shown in Shadow of the Erdtree's trailer, such as the imposing Messmer the Impaler, should breathe new life into Elden Ring's Lands Between. Players will be keen to experience every piece of new content as thoroughly as possible, leaving no stone unturned, thanks in part to FromSoftware's notorious ability to cram secrets into just about every possible place. Elden Ring continues to dominate headlines and forums over two years since its initial release, and with the DLC now imminent, this will only intensify. New character creator options will grant players even more freedom to customize the experience to their liking.