Into the Shadow Realm

Shadow of the Erdtree is not merely an expansion; it’s a testament to FromSoftware’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries in game design. This DLC for the already massive Elden Ring introduces a haunting new realm called the Land of Shadow, accessible through a peculiar cocoon found in Mohgwyn Palace. The expansion doesn’t simply add more of the same—it challenges veterans with new mechanics while maintaining the core elements that made the base game a masterpiece.

As you step through the threshold into this shadow realm, you’re immediately confronted with a landscape that feels both familiar and alien. The Land of Shadow is a twisted reflection of the Lands Between, sharing its DNA but warped by a different kind of suffering. Here, the aesthetic borrows more heavily from dark fantasy and gothic horror than the base game’s medieval inspirations, creating an atmosphere that’s palpably more oppressive.

A World Within a World

The Land of Shadow is roughly 70% the size of Limgrave, but what it lacks in sheer geographical expanse, it makes up for in density and vertical design. Castles spiral upward into impossibly tall spires, while cavernous depths plunge into abyssal darkness. Each area has its own distinct visual identity—from the decaying grandeur of Scadu Altus to the mind-bending architecture of Rauh Ruins.

The world-building here is exceptional even by FromSoftware’s high standards. Environmental storytelling remains at the forefront, with crumbling statues, abandoned settlements, and cryptic murals all hinting at the mysterious history of this realm. Notably, the Land of Shadow feels more cohesive than the sometimes disparate regions of the base game, unified by consistent themes of decay, fire, and rebirth.

Combat Evolution

Combat in Shadow of the Erdtree builds upon Elden Ring’s already robust foundation with several new wrinkles. The most significant addition is the Scadutree Blessing system, which functions as a risk-reward mechanic that can dramatically alter your approach to encounters. By activating a Blessing at special shrines, you can temporarily enhance aspects of your character—greater poise damage, faster stamina regeneration, or increased item discovery, for example—at the cost of making enemies more aggressive or increasing the damage you take.

This system encourages experimentation with different playstyles and adds a welcome layer of strategy to how you approach different areas. Do you activate the Blessing of the Swift to better handle a boss’s rapid attacks, knowing you’ll be more vulnerable to counterattacks? These decisions become crucial parts of the moment-to-moment gameplay.

“We wanted players to feel constantly pushed toward the edge of their comfort zone, to make them question whether the reward is worth the risk. That tension creates memorable moments.” — Hidetaka Miyazaki, Game Director

The expansion introduces over 40 new weapons and 10 new weapon skills, many of which push the boundaries of Elden Ring’s combat in unexpected ways. The Moonlight Greatsword makes a triumphant return with a redesigned moveset, while new additions like the Wraith Flail—which temporarily phases your character through attacks while spinning—open up novel tactical possibilities.

Bosses: The New Pantheon

FromSoftware has always been renowned for its boss design, and Shadow of the Erdtree upholds this tradition with aplomb. The expansion features 12 major boss encounters and numerous mini-bosses, each demanding different approaches and showcasing impressive visual design.

Messmer the Impaler stands as one of the most technically impressive boss fights in FromSoftware’s history. His multi-phase battle incorporates environmental hazards that change dynamically as the arena deteriorates, forcing players to adapt to shifting terrain while contending with his relentless aggression. The fight exemplifies the studio’s ability to create encounters that are simultaneously punishing and fair, with clear telegraphs that nonetheless require precise timing to exploit.

Meanwhile, Divine Beast Rellana presents a more unconventional challenge, incorporating puzzle elements alongside combat in a way that feels fresh for the series. These standout encounters are complemented by a supporting cast of bosses that, while perhaps less memorable individually, maintain a consistently high quality throughout.

Narrative Depths

True to form, Shadow of the Erdtree’s story is told primarily through implication, item descriptions, and environmental cues rather than explicit exposition. The expansion explores the history of Miquella, one of the most enigmatic figures from the base game, and his connection to this shadow realm.

What makes the storytelling particularly effective is how it recontextualizes elements from the main game while introducing new mysteries of its own. Characters mentioned in passing in Elden Ring take center stage here, while seemingly inconsequential details from the base game reveal themselves to be crucial pieces of a larger puzzle.

The narrative touches on themes of martyrdom, the corrupting influence of power, and the cyclical nature of suffering—heady concepts that are woven seamlessly into the gameplay experience. Players seeking to understand the full story will need to piece together fragments from NPC dialogue, item descriptions, and visual clues, but the effort is rewarded with a rich tapestry of lore that deepens the already impressive world-building of the base game.

Technical Performance

On PC, Shadow of the Erdtree runs remarkably well considering the visual fidelity on display. The expansion takes advantage of the engine improvements implemented in patches since the base game’s release, resulting in more stable frame rates and reduced pop-in. That said, some particularly busy areas with numerous particle effects can still cause momentary stutters on all but the most powerful systems.

The lighting effects deserve special mention. The Land of Shadow features more dynamic lighting than the base game, with shifting shadows and atmospheric god rays that create a sense of melancholy beauty in even the most desolate locations. These visual flourishes contribute significantly to the expansion’s distinct atmosphere without compromising performance.