Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Reviews
A knotty, dense expansion that's home to some of the best moments in Elden Ring, but also some of its most frustrating.
I'm both happy and sad that Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and last expansion for Elden Ring. On one hand, it's a masterfully woven experience that expands on the contents of the base game, whereas on the other it leaves much more to be desired with its disappointing final boss. That being said, it's still very much worth your time if you're craving some more Elden Ring.
Shadow of the Edrtree expansion transported me back to Elden Ring in a surprising and nostalgic way. Two years later the game is still fresh as it's ever been - with unique pacing, artistic style and sense of progression. And if you ever stumble upon some annoying sections, you can always count on your fellow Mimic Tear friend.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Shadow of the Erdtree might have some flaws – reusing certain enemies, inconsistent boss balance, patchwork world design – but even so, it's still Elden Ring at its core and it's still leagues ahead of most other high-profile open world games. Definitely a worthwhile addition, and for a fair price, for any fan of the base game. Just make sure you look up how to get to Mohg first.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expands the base game by offering more of what made it one of the best open-world games ever. It features a well-sized map dense with secrets to discover, new masterfully designed dungeons, and introduces new, fun tools to help the Tarnished tackle some of the most challenging enemies in the game's dark and brutal world. While the lack of new gameplay mechanics may disappoint some, don't let this deter you. Shadow of the Erdtree is every bit as good as the base game, and it is an essential purchase for all those who loved FromSoftware's amazing action role-playing game.
Shadow of the Erdtree delivers more of the same style of content you loved two years ago rather than introducing new ways to engage. That's enough to consider it a fantastic expansion, though it's hard not to feel like you're just going through the motions again. With a new land to explore, a fresh set of bosses to fight, and extra lore to consume, it's so much more Elden Ring.
It’s a continuation of what made the Elden Ring fantastic in the first place. An epic adventure!
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree is far more out of an expansion than I ever thought it would be, and my expectations were already a little high. While I have personal gripes with what I see to be missed chances, that doesn't stop it from being spectacular on the whole. This expansion feels like it fully completes Elden Ring, a game that already felt like a whole project, in a way I didn't even know it needed to be completed. I can no longer imagine Elden Ring being without Shadow Of The Erdtree, almost like the Realm Of Shadow was there the whole time.
The relationship between the vastness of the experience and the density of content makes this expansion a very valid product that has literally kept us glued to the screen for dozens and dozens of hours.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shadow of the Erdtree is exactly the great expansion that the open-world masterpiece deserves.
Review in German | Read full review
Like the base game, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterpiece. New spells, equipments, a huge new region, bosses more crazier and tough than ever… it's a generous DLC that can compete with big games. Everything is not perfect on the technical aspect, especially on consoles but it's an even more rewarding game and more beautiful than ever. It's an extraordinary cocktail of thrills at every level and a real lesson.
Review in French | Read full review
The way this map is built plays very well with its limitations, creating a layered world that takes exploration to a new level for the series. Traveling through this open world is extremely satisfying and gives us so many options that it can even be overwhelming for some people, but at the same time it gives rise to an experience that only Tears of the Kingdom had achieved in recent years. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion that no one should miss, and is a solid candidate for the best game of the year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shadow of the Erdtree is everything the community wanted it to be
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shadow of the Erdtree is so packed with new content that it almost feels like a sequel to Elden Ring.
It’s an extended encore and a haunting final bow for Miyazaki Hidetaka’s magnum opus.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is absolutely worth the cost of its significantly difficult entry point. When exploring the vast reaches of the Shadow Realm, it is impossible to deny how FromSoftware managed to capitalize on Elden Ring‘s immense thrill of discovery and challenge. Shadow of the Erdtree is a full expansion of the masterful vision that represents the culmination of the developer’s work, one that raises the standard even higher, one that feels unimaginable to best. But if there’s studio that can do it, it’s the one who made Elden Ring.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is yet another masterpiece by FROMSOFTWARE. It doubles down on all of the best parts of Elden Ring and bolsters them through an inviting new world, an engaging story, and a ridiculously moreish gameplay loop. It won't change your mind on Elden Ring if it never clicked for you, but will undoubtedly wow you if it did.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is the perfect encore to one of the greatest games of all time. It knows it’s already delivered an astonishing performance, and after leaving us hanging, returns asking if we want more.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree was worth the wait and then some. While I said this was FromSoftware’s most ambitious DLC yet, and that’s not hyperbole. If you enjoyed Elden Ring, you’ll love everything about this DLC. Savor it since Hidetaka Miyazaki has said there won’t be more content after this.