More Elden Ring is never a bad thing, so news of its first major expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, was met with a predictably high amount of hype from FromSoftware's fan base. Details of the DLC have been scarce so far, with the title and a sole picture all fans have to go off at the moment, and there was no sign of the project at Gamescom 2023. One of the few criticisms aimed at Elden Ring was regarding its repeated use of various enemies and bosses. Reskins of enemies or bosses found in early game frequently popped up during the game's latter stages, leading to some negative reaction. If Shadow of the Erdtree can stick to original bosses and monsters, the DLC has the chance to write one of Elden Ring's only wrongs.

Elden Ring is an absolutely huge game. Players have spent hundreds of hours roaming the Lands Between, and still have plenty to see and do. While many consider this to be one of the game's strengths, there are some who feel this contributes to the title feeling a little too bloated. Compounding this fact is the repeated use of certain bosses, such as the Ancient Dragons, which are basically reskinned with a fresh color and slight attack pattern variations, and several others such as the formidable Crucible Knight. These enemies are repackaged several times throughout the world, and it's easy to understand how this could become quite repetitive.

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Elden Ring's DLC Should Contain Some Impressive Boss Fights

Despite Elden Ring's repeated use of several enemies, many would argue that it never manages to outstay its welcome, thanks in part to its engaging world and impressive build variety. The 2022 Game of the Year winner continues to dominate headlines long after its release, and the impending DLC has ensured this will remain the case for the foreseeable future. Judging by previous DLC offerings from developer FromSoftware, Shadow of the Erdtree is set to offer an equally stellar experience.

FromSoftware is no stranger to paid expansions. In fact, of its entire Soulsborne collection, only Demon's Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice don't have their own DLC. What is truly impressive, however, is that each of the DLCs represents the pinnacle of their respective base games. Difficulty, enemy and world design, and story all seem to be cranked up a couple of extra notches for all the Soulsborne DLC. In this regard, Shadow of the Erdtree has its work cut out for it.

Dark Souls 3's two DLC offerings, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, and Bloodborne's The Old Hunters DLC, are regularly labeled as some of the finest additional content ever released for a video game. Challenging opponents like Sister Friede, Slave Knight Gael, and Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower represent some of FromSoftware's best boss designs. Whether the Japanese developer is able to further push the boundaries in Elden Ring's DLC, building on the complex designs of bosses such as Malenia, Blade of Miquella, remains to be seen.

That being said, considering the developer's impeccable history with DLC, the chances of Shadows of the Erdtree not being up to scratch are extremely slim. Players should expect the same level of quality found in the base game, with the boss and world design possibly being even better. Elden Ring is a world rich in lore, and the expansion is the perfect way to unravel more of it. Some unique and challenging new enemies and bosses to fight will be a great chance to elevate Elden Ring's experience to a whole new level. Hopefully, it won't be too long until more news of Shadow of the Erdtree filters through.

Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.

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