Highlights

  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring is considered a masterpiece, the best-reviewed video game DLC ever made.
  • The DLC takes players to the Land of Shadow, offering a story that breaks traditional FromSoftware narratives.
  • Despite being challenging, Shadow of the Erdtree presents one of the most comprehensible narratives from the developer.

The highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for FromSoftware's Elden Ring has officially been deemed a masterpiece, going on to make history as the best-reviewed video game DLC ever made. Shadow of the Erdtree takes players to the Land of Shadow (Shadow Realm), an entirely separate world from Elden Ring's Lands Between, where they must follow in the footsteps of Miquella to witness the overarching story of the DLC unfold. Shadow of the Erdtree is much more than a simple DLC, as FromSoftware clarified ahead of its release that it is comparable in size to any other normal game, making it one of the developer's most distinguished DLCs yet.

From its foundation, FromSoftware has established and honored several unique traditions to put a distinct signature on its games and set itself apart from other developers. One FromSoftware tradition is its marriage of immense difficulty with rewarding gameplay. This is largely seen in the developer's Soulslike titles, which belong to the genre that FromSoftware pioneered with its Dark Souls games. Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC remains more than faithful to the challenge that FromSoftware games are known for, but it simultaneously breaks what has become known as a key characteristic of the developer's games. However, this particular shift is proof that it's not always a bad thing to go against the grain every once in a while.

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There is one thing that Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC needed to get right, and it happens to go above and beyond what it could have been.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Breaks a FromSoftware Narrative Tradition

FromSoftware Games Are Known for Having Complex and Ambiguous Narratives

Without a doubt, it is almost universally understood that one of the most defining characteristics of any FromSoftware game is a complex and ambiguous narrative. In fact, it's not uncommon for even the most hardcore fans of FromSoftware to shrug off a game's narrative after determining they know nothing about what happened during its story. After all, FromSoftware's knack for gameplay and atmosphere often makes up for any obscure narrative that accompanies them, making for a fulfilling experience even if one is unable to fully comprehend what is going on in the story.

FromSoftware's confusing narratives aren't a bad thing, as they only bring the community closer together. There are countless online forums dedicated to FromSoftware lore where fans can share theories and divulge their headcanon. This is arguably a significant part of the overall experience of a FromSoftware game, so it doesn't necessarily mean it should be done away with. That being said, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC decided to abandon this tradition altogether to give players a FromSoftware experience unlike any that came before it.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Has One of FromSoftware's Most Comprehensible Narratives Yet

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may not be the most accessible experience overall, as many players continue to point out how it is even more difficult than the base game. This has bled into Shadow of the Erdtree's Steam reviews as well, where almost every negative impression is the result of the DLC's increased challenge. Even so, where Shadow of the Erdtree is inaccessible from a gameplay standpoint, it makes up for it with one of FromSoftware's most comprehensible narratives yet. Almost anyone, even those who haven't played Elden Ring, can follow Shadow of the Erdtree's story so long as they pay close attention to each cutscene and exhaust the dialogue of the DLC's most notable characters.

It's not necessary to get into Shadow of the Erdtree's narrative here, as it would spoil what is actually an incredibly gripping story. All that really needs to be said is that anyone who might appreciate challenging Soulslike gameplay alongside an easy-to-follow narrative should look no further than Shadow of the Erdtree. There are plenty of eye-opening moments throughout Shadow of the Erdtree's main story, especially as it comes to a close — and those moments can be appreciated by even the most casual FromSoftware fans.