Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree review - As close to perfection as it gets

How do you even review and/or critique a DLC for a game so widely accepted as a masterpiece as Elden Ring? Well, in my opinion, you do that just like you play the game, with a lot of humility, respect, and perseverance. To call Shadow of the Erdtree the most anticipated video gaming content I have been looking forward to this year would be an understatement.

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on the DLC ever since FromSoftware first revealed the concept art of Miquella riding Torrent through a field of Reeds. I even made multiple builds entirely from scratch to use exclusively for the expansion, despite having played the base game for more than 500 hours.

While I knew FromSoftware would deliver on the incredibly high expectations I had for Shadow of the Erdtree, I would admit, I was a bit concerned too. Despite Elden Ring being one of the favorite games of 2022, it is, in my opinion, not the best showing of FromSoftware's talents, far from it.

I was a bit skeptical about whether FromSoftware would be able to deliver on the same core principles that made Elden Ring such a massive phenomenon, while also backpedaling a bit to their older "Souls-borne" philosophies to make a more cohesive experience. Having played the DLC for more than 70 hours, I can safely say that FromSoftware has done just that.

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Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree offers more substance and less filler

At its core, Shadow of the Erdtree is still Elden Ring, albeit with necessary refinements to make the experience more cohesive and, in all honesty, much more enjoyable than the base game.

While I did enjoy my 500 or so hours with the base game of Elden Ring, I didn't necessarily like all of it, especially the rather barren open world.

While the map is admittedly smaller than that of the Lands Between, it's much more enjoyable to explore (Image via FromSoftware)

Although I was enamored by the vast stretches of land and the new locations I was constantly rewarded with for my curiosity, the luster of these surprises only lasted for my first couple of playthroughs.

Elden Ring's open world, to me, never felt like it added anything to the game's quality itself. Instead, after the first few playthroughs, it always felt like a hindrance that kept me from enjoying the meticulously crafted legacy dungeons. While I do like a few of the overworld dungeons, the majority of them are incredibly linear and dare I say, boring. This is something Shadow of the Erdtree addresses, well, to a certain extent.

Firstly, the Shadow Realm has way fewer side dungeons than what was present in the base game. That in itself is a great thing. However, FromSoftware went even further by making sure that the optional dungeons that are present in the DLC feel substantial, instead of being the discounted version of Bloodborne's Chalice Dungeons.

You'll always get rewarded for your curiosity, either with new weapons, armor sets, or lore nuggets (Image via FromSoftware)

Despite the size of Shadow Realm's map, it only features a handful of optional dungeons, each with meaning full rewards. My favorite new optional dungeons are the Ruined Forges, which don't feature any boss fight at the end of it. Instead, they test your intelligence and platforming skills with some really cool puzzles and equally amazing rewards.

Breathtaking verticality of the Shadow Realm

I remember Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creative director of Elden Ring and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, once mentioned in an interview that the Shadow Realm is roughly the size of Limgrave, the opening section of the base game. And while that's true on paper, Miyazaki-san did not mention the sheer verticality of the map of the Realm of Shadow.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree's map is much more vertical than that of the base game (Image via FromSoftware)

In reality, the Shadow Realm is roughly the same size/volume as the Lands Between. However, instead of being on a linear plain, the new map features multiple different zones stacked on top of one another. When I first set foot on the Realm of Shadow, I was mesmerized by the sheer scale of the opening region, the Gravesite Plains, itself.

However, as I made my way through the DLC, I started stumbling upon new areas tucked away at far-flung corners of the map, which you can completely miss if you aren't thorough with your exploration. This is something the base game also did really well, with areas like Siofra, Consecrated Snowfield, and Moghwyn Palace.

And you know what I found really cool about the Shadow Realm's layout? It never makes anything obvious, even on the map itself. While I loved the idea of finally getting a map in a FromSoftware "Souls-borne" game, I was kind of disappointed at how having that takes away from the surprises that come with exploring an open-world setting.

Exploring Shadow of the Erdtree's map will often lead to surprise encounters with optional bosses (Image via FromSoftware)

The base game of Elden Ring sometimes ruined the surprise of stumbling upon a completely new area either by telegraphing it via the map or by an obvious route to it. However, that's not the case with the DLC. I won't go into spoilers, but expect to find a path to multiple legacy dungeons and new regions in the least expected places.

What's new in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?

Although the basic gameplay and progression loop in Shadow of the Erdtree remains practically unchanged compared to the base game of Elden Ring, there are some major new additions and changes that make the DLC feel like a standalone experience. While I won't necessarily call it a "sequel," Shadow of the Erdtree does feel like one.

Scadutree Blessings can often be the deciding factor against certain bosses in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (Image via FromSoftware)

The biggest new change is how your build scales in the Shadow Realm. You still have access to Runes and the linear leveling system from the base game. However, your core stats have very little effect on your overall build, outside of governing which weapons you wield, your total HP, Stamina, FP, and also encumbrance.

Instead, the DLC features a completely new leveling system via the Scadutree Blessings. As you explore the Realm of Shadow, you will come across a new resource called the Scadutree Fragments, which you can use to gain the Scadutree Blessings.

The Scadutree Blessings essentially give your build a flat stat boost. This stat boost basically pertains to your overall damage dealt, as well as defense.

The Scadutree Blessings go up to 20, with each new level adding incremental upgrades to your overall DPS and defense (elemental resistances included). The first 10 levels add significant boss, with the later ones plateauing based on your build.

You'll gather enough Scadutree Fragments simply by exploring the Realm of Shadow (Image via FromSoftware)

This system reminded me a lot of the "Memories" system in Sekrio Shadows Die Twice. However, instead of being tied to bosses, the Scadutree Fragments are found scattered all over the open world and even in the dungeons. Also, the Scadutree Blessings are only active within the DLC, not in the base game.

I honestly think this is a great way to balance the DLC regardless of the character level. I should also mention the "Revered Spirit Ashes," which boost the core stats of your Spirit Ashes as well as Torrent. While I understand that the Blessing system might not appeal to all players, I do find it quite fitting for a DLC that's meant to be end-game content.

Tools of the trade

Apart from the Scadutree Blessings and the brand-new map, the DLC also introduces entirely new weapon types, which are excellent additions. However, there's a caveat to this.

Although you do technically get eight new weapon types, there are hardly more than two or three weapons for each of them, which was somewhat disappointing.

The new weapons in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree are incredibly fun, especially the Greatswords (Image via FromSoftware)

I went into the DLC with my Elden Ring Strength-Faith build sporting the Blasphemous Blade as my weapon of choice. However, by the time I was done with my first playthrough, I've had transformed my build from a pure Arcane Dragon mage to a Holy Paladin, thanks to the incredibly cool weapon arts of the new weapons I was constantly being bombarded with.

I remember switching my build to a Pure Strength-Arane build as soon as I got my hands on the Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword. I only parted ways with that weapon since I really wanted to try out the Dragon Hunter's Great Katana. As soon I unlocked the hand-to-hand combat weapon, the Dryleaf Arts, I never looked back.

While the base game of Elden Ring also featured this amount of weapon and build diversity, I honestly never felt compelled to experiment with different builds or weapon types in a single playthrough. Shadow of the Erdtree changed that simply by making the weapons more effective, regardless of what build you're going for.

While the DLC offers plenty of new weapon choices, nothing comes close to the sheer power and coolness-factor of the Great Katanas (Image via FromSoftware)

Oh, I should also mention the new Crystal Tears, especially the Deflecting Hardtear, which basically turns Elden Ring into Sekiro, albeit temporarily.

Once used, the Deflecting Hardtear enhances your guard counters while also enabling perfect block, akin to Sekiro's perfect deflect. This opens up a whole new dimension to the combat system.

My only gripe is that instead of being a Crystal Tear, the Deflection system should've been baked into the game's default combat system. It could've perhaps worked like the Scadutree Blessing, which players could choose to equip on their character just within the DLC, but I digress.

Following in Miquella's footsteps

One of the best aspects of the DLC has to be its story, at least the way it's handled here compared to the base game. Until you reach the very end of the base game, you don't have an answer to whom the story is primarily about. Is it about the Tarnished and those who are stripped of Grace? Or is it about Marika, the demi-gods, and her Golden Lineage?

Shadow of the Erdtree answers many things that were left unanswered by the base game while also raising new curiosities (Image via FromSoftware)

While I do like Elden Ring's story, I think the base game's narrative lacked the kind of focus FromSoftware's previous titles had. However, that's not an issue with Shadow of the Erdtree for the most part. Right from the get-go, you know that the story is about Miquella, and the mystery behind the Emyprean's motives is what drives your quest.

I think most players might've been looking forward to Shadow of the Erdtree simply to get their hands on the new weapons, fight the new bosses, and give them more of a reason to return to Elden Ring. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to the DLC to get a deeper understanding of the base game's lore, aside from all the gameplay stuff, of course.

Upon completing my first playthrough I wasn't really sure that I got all the answers to the questions that I came to the DLC with. However, upon successive playthroughs, I think I have all the necessary answers. And that's precisely what I think is the beauty and perhaps even a curse of FromSoftware's games.

Miquella's story gets a fitting end in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (Image via FromSoftware)

I won't go into details since I think FromSoftware's games, regardless of how old they may be, are best experienced blind, with as little information on the story as possible. However, I will say this; if you come to the DLC looking for answers on Marika and her past, you're going to get them and a lot more.

The story is also pretty straightforward this time around, the main story that is. The side stories still retain the same obscurity that we've all come to love about FromSoftware's games.

While I still prefer Armored Core 6's story over Elden Ring's, Shadow of the Erdtree comes quite close to it, thanks to its focused structure.

Is Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree too difficult?

FromSoftware's games and the discussion around difficulty has been an age-long affair. However, I think it was all blown a bit out of proportion following the release of Shadow of the Erdtree for reasons that don't make much sense.

Yes, Shadow of the Erdtree is difficult, and that's by design; the DLC is meant as end-game content, so of course, it'll be challenging.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is meant to be challenging; it's end-game content after all (Image via FromSoftware)

However, is it more challenging than the end-game zones in the base game? Absolutely not. In fact, I think the DLC is much more manageable than areas like Miquella's Haligtree or Farum Azula. I think the discourse surrounding the difficulty came from players setting wrong expectations from the DLC and refusing to make use of all the options available to them.

For disclosure, my first playthrough of the DLC was on a standard NG save, with a level 180 character. On this playthrough, I used almost every single tool I had available to me; yes, even the Spirit Summons. However, on my subsequent playthroughs, which were on NG+ saves, I went entirely solo.

And guess what? I never felt I was handicapped or was punished unfairly by the DLC's difficulty. The biggest takeaway from all my playthroughs was that the Scadutree Blessings system was integral to the kind of experience you'll have in the DLC. While you can technically beat the DLC without any Scadutree Blessings, you're definitely not meant to.

As long as you keep your Scadutree Blessings in check, you won't have much trouble against bosses in the DLC (Image via FromSoftware)

I remember getting stuck for a few hours on the DLC's poster boss, Messmer the Impaler. Instead of trying to brute force my way through him, I opted to explore the opening areas of the DLC and hunt for additional Scadutree Fragments. And guess what? I found a few more of those Fragments, and they ended up helping me defeat the boss.

That's the case with most bosses and enemies in the DLC; they are challenging sure, but not impossible to beat. The difficulty is part of the experience that Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree offer. Overcoming these seemingly impossible odds is what makes these games so special to a lot of us.

Few shortcomings

While I praised almost every aspect of Elden Ring's DLC, nothing is perfect and immune to criticism; the same goes for Shadow of the Erdtree.

My first and only complaint regarding Shadow of the Erdtree and Elden Ring as a whole has always been the technical performance. While the base game did have its fair share of other issues, those are nothing more than minor nitpicking.

Framerate drops still plague Elden Ring, with certain boss fights in Shadow of the Erdtree often tanking the game's performance on PC (Image via FromSoftware)

However, the PC and even console performance of Elden Ring's base game and DLC has barely received any major uplift since its release, which is quite disappointing.

I primarily played Shadow of the Erdtree on my PC, which features a Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, RTX 4070 GPU, and 16GBs of DDR4 memory. I even had the game installed on my primary boot drive, which is a Gen-4 NVMe drive.

Despite far surpassing the recommended specs for the title, I faced constant framerate issues and even some micro-stutters. While none of these issues bog down the overall experience, they still always felt a bit distracting, especially the framerate drops.

The framerate drops are even more prevalent on consoles. I tested the game out on the PS5, where, even on the Performance mode, the framerate was barely, if ever, locked at 60.

Although the overall quality of the DLC itself makes up for its technical shortcomings, it's still a small blemish on the face of what is essentially a masterpiece.

In conclusion

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is, on all fronts, an improvement over the base game, making it feel pretty much like a "sequel" despite being an add-on DLC. While it doesn't necessarily evolve on any of the aspects and foundations laid by the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree does offer a more focused and cohesive experience.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is an excellent DLC and is definitely a "must-play" for anyone who enjoyed the base game (Image via FromSoftware)

Much like the base game of Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree greets you with a vast open world that beckons to be explored, a myriad of new weapon types that you'll be compelled to work into your existing builds, and some of the most challenging boss fights modern gaming has to offer.

And while it does offer everything that the base game already did, Shadow of the Erdtree does it in a way that feels substantial, regardless of whether you're exploring the open world, going through an optional side dungeon, or following the main story and legacy dungeons. From its narrative to its world design, everything is much more focused.

If Elden Ring was a gourmet meal, Shadow of the Erdtree would be the garnish. And not just any garnish, but one that enhances the taste of the meal while also imparting a lasting impression on the consumer.

By all fronts, Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterpiece and as close to perfection as it gets.