Asking for more of Elden Ring almost feels redundant. Coming hot off the heels of FromSoftware's Dark Souls series and several related titles, the game is stuffed to bursting with Soulslike action. Elden Ring's open-world format has given players so many scenarios to stumble into that some are still in their first run over a year after the game launched. The most thorough explorers have spent over a hundred hours combing through the Lands Between, and reports of reaching credits without feelings of missed content are practically unheard of. However, fans are getting more of Elden Ring regardless.
Currently existing as little more than a name and a piece of artwork, Shadow of the Erdtree will be Elden Ring's first and perhaps only expansion. It's not a surprise that Elden Ring is getting DLC as another FromSoftware Soulslike game, though many assumed it would have something to do with the PvP coliseums. Now that that theory has been debunked, all fans have to go off of is what seems to be a dark, bleeding Erdtree and what strongly resembles Miquella riding Torrent. While information is low, hopes are high, and there are a number of things Elden Ring's DLC can do to make its experience feel even more complete.
Miquella and Godwin Need Resolution
The most obvious hope, and what seems to be teased, is expanding on Miquella's story. Despite being the twin brother of Malenia and the centerpiece of Mohg's fledgling dynasty, little is known about Elden Ring's Miquella, and all the player sees of him is a comatose body. The same can be said about Godwyn, who has become the Prince of Death but remains passive when the player finds his massive corpse. These two stand out as the only demigods the player does not personally interact with, and both also have unresolved story threads. Many have already noticed that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the perfect place to rectify that.
Expand the Lore of Elden Ring
While those two have reasons to become plot-relevant, there are other mysterious characters and concepts that fans would like to hear about. Queen Marika herself is still shrouded in mystery, and it would be nice to at least learn a little more about her. Marika's patron, the Greater Will, is also a mystery, and the player's interactions with all the Outer Gods have been minimal. Compounding that with questions regarding Melina, the Gloam-Eyed Queen, the Tarnished themselves, and lots of other setting details, the potential for lore in Elden Ring's DLC is immense.
Elden Ring's DLC Needs To Keep Players Busy
Of course, the gameplay side can't be neglected either. Players would love to see new tools and challenges added to Elden Ring, whether it's in the form of new styles of armor, mechanically distinct weapons, a glamour system, new environmental puzzles, or more interesting bosses. Plenty of dungeons would also be appreciated, especially if more visual styles are used to give the base game's tombs, caves, and mines a break. Above all else, Elden Ring's DLC needs to give Torrent room to run, especially if the horse is kept in more pivotal fights.
Shadow of the Erdtree Should Build On Elden Ring's Strengths
Above all else, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion needs to feel like it's expanding Elden Ring. The unusually long development time for this DLC indicates that it will in a landmass sense, but it needs to do more than that. Taking players to exotic locales, or to significantly different versions of the Lands Between in the past or future, feels vital for this DLC. Expanding the scope of the story as well and even giving players new game-spanning side quests and endings would be ideal. Ultimately, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC should leave a mark on the game and its fanbase. Given FromSoftware's track record, it should do at least that.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
