Highlights

  • Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the best-reviewed game DLC ever, praised for its exploration, combat, and environments.
  • The Abyssal Woods area in the DLC is a massive, creepy location with no riding and limited gameplay, causing controversy.
  • The area includes forced stealth sections with frustratingly precise parrying needed to defeat enemies, adding to the criticism of the Abyssal Woods.

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has already made history as the best-reviewed video game DLC of all time — praise rightfully earned for its rewarding exploration, challenging combat, and breathtaking environments. Shadow of the Erdtree takes players to the Realm of Shadow, where they must follow in the footsteps of Miquella the Kind to see the DLC's story unfold. Despite some discourse surrounding its immense difficulty, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has still maintained a positive reputation among the community. That being said, there are portions of the DLC that still manage to garner criticism, with one area, in particular, taking the brunt of it.

One of Shadow of the Erdtree's most distinct locations is the Abyssal Woods area, which lies at the lowest point of the Realm of Shadow. While FromSoftware is known for its ability to craft immersive atmospheres, the Abyssal Woods is still unlike anything the developer has done before. In the Abyssal Woods, players are surrounded by skyscraping trees and dense fog where even the animals have gone mad. It is by far one of the creepiest locations in the DLC, and it is worth a visit for that reason. Unfortunately, it is the subject of some extreme controversy due to its size, execution, and gameplay emphasis.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Stone Coffin Fissure and Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Depths
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An Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Location Has Serious Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Depths Vibes

One of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's explorable locations looks like it came straight out of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Depths.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's Abyssal Woods Controversy Explained

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's Abyssal Woods Is a Massive, Empty, No-Riding Area

At the height of the controversy surrounding Shadow of the Erdtree's Abyssal Woods is the area's size when paired with its execution and traversal limitations. Firstly, the Abyssal Woods is a massive region that is made even larger by the fact that it is also one of Elden Ring's infamous no-riding areas. Here, players are unable to summon their faithful steed Torrent at any time, no matter how many enemies they kill or where they are on the map. This means players have no choice but to walk or run everywhere, and the Abyssal Woods' seeming purposelessness makes this even more painful.

While there is a boss fight in the Abyssal Woods, it is extremely hard to find. Additionally, there are hardly any noteworthy collectibles, and there isn't even a Miquella's Cross to be found. Players can find the Mad Craftsman's Cookbook, which allows them to craft Frenzied Flame Pots and Roped Frenzied Flame Pots, and they might even manage to come across a Winter-Lantern Fly, which is a clear nod to Bloodborne's Winter Lantern enemy. Aside from that, the only other reason to visit the Abyssal Woods is to obtain a special talisman, but it can only be acquired by braving the area's toughest enemies.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's Abyssal Woods Has Several 'Forced' Stealth Sections

When players first arrive in the Abyssal Woods in Shadow of the Erdtree, they will eventually happen upon an area where they seem to have no choice but to hide in tall grass as the terrifying Aged Ones slowly walk by. If they are noticed by an Aged One, players may end up stunned by the enemy and have every bit of their health drained. Many players have expressed their distaste for these sections, due to the fact that appear to be forced stealth sections at first. However, it is possible to parry the Aged Ones, stun them, and defeat them for a chance at obtaining the Aged One's Exultation talisman, which increases a player's attack power when the Madness debuff is in the vicinity.

Unfortunately, even parrying the Aged Ones can be frustrating, as the timing has to be perfect. This, along with the emptiness, size, and traversal limitations of the Abyssal Woods have made it a massive target for criticism in the otherwise praiseworthy Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. It's possible more could eventually be discovered in the Abyssal Woods, but it seems unlikely.