FromSoftware finally revealed the first gameplay trailer for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and it’s absolutely bonkers. Over three minutes, we’re treated to new environments, bosses, enemies, weapons and more. However, perhaps the best part is that players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on it – the expansion launches on June 21st for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.
Alongside the trailer, several previews and interviews with director Hidetaka Miyazaki have gone live. What can you expect, and what makes Shadow of the Erdtree so enticing? Check out ten new reasons here.
FromSoftware’s Largest Expansion Yet
Shadow of the Erdtree is FromSoftware’s largest expansion to date. Consider Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City, which added about 11 to 20 hours of gameplay, and Bloodborne: The Old Hunters, offering about 10 to 25 hours of gameplay, per HowLongToBeat. Both expansions have provided years’ worth of entertainment and replay value, and Shadow of the Erdtree looks to be even bigger in size and scale.
The Land of Shadow (And its Size)
While The Lands Between served as the setting for the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree takes place in a new world called the Land of Shadow. Yes, a new world, not just a new region bolted onto the current world map. Players will discover the “dark secrets of the world” and “seamlessly travel back and forth” between its various locations. As seen in the trailer, these range from lava-filled caverns and ruins with hanging pots to extensive grasslands and the mysterious Erdtree casting an ominous shadow.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Miyazaki confirmed that the new map works like the base game in structure. However, in terms of scale or pure surface area, you can think of it as “something larger even than Limgrave in the base game.” Considering Limgrave offers three sub-regions and a Legacy Dungeon, that’s pretty sizable.
Richer Level Design
However, it’s not just about size – FromSoftware is also shaking up its approach to field design with the expansion. Miyazaki says the team wanted to “go more in-depth and bring a denser and richer level design, which brings these types of layout together a little more seamlessly,” compared to the base game where the distinction between field areas and dungeons is “quite distinct.” While you can still expect the usual open areas to ride around with Torrent and dungeons to explore, the team has “experimented with something a little more in-between these as well to bring a more diverse gameplay experience.” In short, expect new kinds of areas unique from the base game.
Eight New Weapon Types and New Armor
New weapons and armor are a given in any FromSoftware expansion, and Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception. The trailer showcases a Gladiator-like outfit with an impressive fur cape and even a sleek red dress for the fashion-minded. However, the weapons are even more enticing. The total number isn’t outright specified, but Miyazaki has confirmed eight new weapon categories.
These include a large Japanese sword, a dueling shield which “combines offense and defense” (as he describes it to Famitsu) and throwing daggers where “all attacks are thrown.” You can also see options like a fully automatic crossbow, which fires incendiary bolts, and a new twinblade with a shield. “I think even those who have already used the weapon types in the main story will find it refreshing and enjoyable,” he notes.
New Enemies and Over 10 New Bosses
The enemies in the trailer, including the leech-like creature, look annoying enough, but the bosses should prove the biggest headaches. Miyazaki confirmed over ten new bosses, including a horned beast with human body parts that leaps at players and calls down lightning; a porcupine-like creature with an enormous bite; a strange skeleton being riding a horse and throwing a boomerang-like weapon; and a giant basket of flame whose kindling actually consists of burning bodies. Of course, players can also tackle Messmer the Impaler, a new threat who fights with flaming attacks and plays a central role.
Miyazaki also mentions a “challenge on equal footing” with that of Malenia from the base game, though he didn’t confirm who it was. As always, we’ll have to wait and see (and probably die hundreds of times).
New Spells and Skills
Of course, there are also new skills and weapons, and some of them are incredible to behold. There are dual curved swords, which allow for dashing to the side and striking an opponent; a spell which summons many butterflies and explodes them in an area surrounding the player; a multi-hit attack with kicks; and slotting the new twinblade and shield together to strike an opponent.
You can also wield the horned beast’s head, perhaps emitting breath attacks and the porcupine’s quills. Whatever is shown has seemingly only scratched the surface, and we can’t wait to see what else is on offer.
New Regular and Legacy Dungeons
When speaking to Eurogamer, Miyazaki confirmed various dungeons and even Legacy Dungeons (plural). Some of these are visible in the trailer, including the large imposing castle resembling Stormveil, except the peak is seemingly in ruins. Mesmer’s arena is also interesting because it could take place in a separate dungeon. Overall, the sheer range of dungeons remains to be seen, but there looks to be a healthy variety for fans of the base game.
New Characters and Plotlines
As players venture into the Land of Shadow, they’ll encounter new characters, including some with “ulterior motives.” New characters mean new side quests, potential new quest chains, or even vendors to interact with. The official website even promises new plotlines which will “further increase players’ RPG freedom.” Perhaps they can result in different outcomes based on the steps chosen.
Main Story Doesn’t Affect the Expansion’s Outcome
However, one thing is confirmed – your choices in the expansion won’t affect the main story’s outcome. Furthermore, Miyazaki told Famitsu that the “progress of events in the main story will not change the content of the DLC” either, so don’t expect any new endings for the base game if you run through Shadow of the Erdtree first. Players can expect the Shadow of the Erdtree to offer a self-contained story that will be resolved within its land, though it wouldn’t be surprising if its narrative has an earth-shattering revelation or two.
Price and Special Editions
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree retails for $39.99, compared to The Ringed City costing $14.99 and The Old Hunters retailing for $19.99. While there are several other factors to consider when comparing prices of years-old DLC with this, it is interesting that the expansion is only $20 less than Elden Ring’s price.
On top of this, it has a Premium Bundle, which includes the expansion, a digital art book and a digital soundtrack; a Deluxe Edition, with the base game included with the expansion and digital goodies; and a Collector’s Edition, which features a physical artbook, 18-inch statue of Messmer and a voucher to download the expansion (sadly exclusive to the Bandai Namco Store in limited countries). Players can even pick up a physical rendition of Messmer’s helm, available in very limited quantities.
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