Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is almost here. The huge expansion to the already massive Elden Ring is sure to reignite many a fan’s interest in this grim world. And it’s the biggest expansion developer FromSoftware has made to date.
More than 10 new bosses, upwards of 100 new weapons and fresh dungeons will make Shadow of the Erdtree feel like an expansive new adventure, even if it is still set in Elden Ring’s world.
Here’s all the info on Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, including its all-important release date, new additions, and the game download size and pre-load date. Be warned Tarnished, spoilers lie ahead.
When is Shadow of the Erdtree coming out?
Shadow of the Erdtree lands on June 21 on PlayStation, Xbox and PC (via Steam) for £35.
What is it about?
The expansion takes place in an entirely new region: another wispy domain known as the Land of Shadow. It can be accessed by touching the mummified arm found in Mohgwyn Palace in the base game, according to a hands-on from the official PlayStation Blog.
Bearing FromSoftware’s trademark design, this sprawling new land can be traversed using numerous paths and routes. You can come and go as you please, taking most of your loot with you.
At its rotting core, the DLC delves into the mysterious origins and history surrounding the Erdtree and the Golden Order established by Queen Marika, the ruler of the Lands Between. Tracing the footsteps of Miquella, brother to the base game’s demigod boss Malenia, players will uncover the secrets of this treacherous new world, borne of seduction and betrayal.
Director Miyazaki told Cnet the Miquella story was meant to be in the original Elden Ring, but it just it just “didn't fit” in the end.
“Miquella's entire story arc, which is part of the original lore, is something that the DLC explores quite thoroughly,” he says.
What do the previews say?
A number of specialist gaming sites have taken Erdtree for a spin and they all agree that it’s a meaty expansion.
Duration
How long are we talking? Well, it can apparently take between 30 to 40 hours to complete.
“It is by far the biggest in terms of scale and volume,” Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki told Cnet.
It’s made for experienced Elden Ring players, with a recommended character level of 120. If you’re brand new to this world, you don’t want to start with Shadow of the Erdtree (and can’t).
New Bosses
During your playthrough, you can expect to encounter at least ten major bosses and side bosses.
They include a hulking armoured warrior named Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, located to the east of the map in a new point of interest known as Castle Ensis. Sister to Elden Ring boss Renalla, this foe can also throw magical moons at you while dual-wielding a pair of long blades that deal magic and fire damage, per Polygon.
But, the first boss you’ll probably encounter lies west to your starting point in the castle of Belurat, and goes by the name Divine Beast Dancing Lion, which sounds like the title of a forgotten kung-fu flick.
Director Miyazaki has said some of the new bosses are intended to be extremely challenging, but that the peaks of difficulty are reserved for fights not mandatory to progress the story.
New Weapons
Speaking of which, Erdtree features martial arts as part of its eight new weapon types. If you get close enough to the game’s “swift and agile” new enemies, you’ll be able to land some chops and kicks. Just be prepared to bash that dodge button as even a single counter-attack can prove deadly, as hardened players will know.
New power-up
When the boss fights get a bit hairy, you can knock back two new consumables called Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes to get stronger. Both can be used at sites of grace in the Land of Shadow, akin to how you use Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears to empower flasks in Elden Ring.
What is Shadow of the Erdtree’s file size?
For a game that could easily zap 40-plus hours from your life, Shadow of the Erdtree comes in a tiny package. The DLC’s file size is around 16.5 GB, and you’ll be able to pre-load it on June 19, so hopefully you won’t need to delete any games to make room for it.
Is there a trailer?
Want to see how it looks? Two trailers have dropped so far, the first showcasing its gameplay and the second its narrative.
In essence, the original clip focuses on the game’s new realm, including the menacing enemies that dwell within its sprawling dungeons, among them ungainly fire basket giants.
Meanwhile, the story trailer teases a dark, bloody history behind the Erdtree's creation, an unseen war and purge connected to it, and Miquella's journey to the mysterious Land of Shadow - setting up the premise for the DLC's new narrative.
