Elden Ring is one of the most acclaimed games of 2023, winning multiple awards and praise from critics and fans alike. The open-world action RPG from FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin offers a rich and immersive experience that challenges and rewards players in equal measure. But if you think you’ve seen everything Elden Ring has to offer, think again. A huge DLC is coming soon that promises to expand the game’s lore, gameplay, and world even further.
The DLC is called Shadow of the Erdtree, and it’s been shrouded in mystery since its announcement in February 2023. FromSoftware has not revealed much about the DLC, except that it’s in development and that it will be similar in size to Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters expansion. That means we can expect a substantial amount of new content, including new areas, enemies, bosses, weapons, items, and secrets.
But when will Shadow of the Erdtree be released? That’s the question that’s been on every Elden Ring fan’s mind for almost a year. Unfortunately, FromSoftware has not given us a clear answer yet. However, there are some clues and leaks that suggest the DLC could be coming sooner than we think.
Clues for the Shadow of the Erdtree release
One clue is the release of an Elden Ring collectable by PUREARTS, a company that specializes in creating high-quality figures and statues of video game characters.
The collectable is a 1/6 scale statue of the Tarnished, the main protagonist of Elden Ring, and it’s scheduled to be released in February 2024. Why is this significant? Because it could indicate that the DLC will be released around the same time, to coincide with the statue’s launch and Elden Ring’s second anniversary.
Another clue is a leak from Thrustmaster, a company that produces gaming accessories such as controllers, headsets, and steering wheels. The leak was a screenshot of an email that mentioned a February 2024 launch for a new Thrustmaster product that would be compatible with Elden Ring’s DLC.
The email also stated that the product would be revealed at a press event in January 2024, where the DLC’s release date would also be announced.
Of course, these clues are not official confirmations, and they could be subject to change or cancellation. But they do give us some hope that Shadow of the Erdtree is not far away and that we might hear more about it in the coming weeks.
What will it actually be?
But what can we expect from the DLC in terms of story and gameplay? Well, that’s another mystery that FromSoftware has not solved yet.
However, there are some theories and speculations that fans have come up with, based on the game’s lore and the DLC’s name.
One theory is that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will focus on Miquella, one of the demigods that rule over the Lands Between. Miquella is the daughter of Queen Marika the Eternal, the original bearer of the Elden Ring, and the sister of the other demigods that the player faces in the game. However, unlike her siblings, Miquella is not a boss that the player fights directly. Instead, she is found sleeping inside a giant egg in the Stormveil Castle, guarded by her loyal knight, Melina.
Miquella’s role and fate are left ambiguous in the game, but some fans believe that she is undergoing a transformation inside the egg and that she will emerge as a powerful and hostile entity in the DLC. They also think that she will have a grudge against the player, who has killed her family and claimed the Elden Ring for themselves. Miquella could be the final and ultimate challenge that the player has to face in the DLC, and perhaps even in the entire game.
Another theory is that the DLC will explore the concept of dreams and their connection to the Erdtree, the colossal tree that stands at the centre of the Lands Between.
The Erdtree is the source of the Golden Order, the natural law that governs the world, and it also has the power to grant wishes and shape reality. However, the Erdtree is also linked to the dreams of the inhabitants of the Lands Between, and it can create or destroy worlds based on their desires and fears.
The DLC’s name, Shadow of the Erdtree, could imply that the player will enter a dark and twisted version of the Lands Between, created by the Erdtree’s shadow. This could be a result of the player’s actions in the main game, where they broke the Golden Order and disrupted the balance of the world.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC could also feature cut content from the main game, such as items and quests related to invading the dreams of NPCs and obtaining a substance called Dream Mist.
Wait and see
These are just some of the possible scenarios that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC could offer, but we won’t know for sure until FromSoftware reveals more information.
Until then, we can only hope that Shadow of the Erdtree will live up to the hype and deliver a satisfying and memorable experience for Elden Ring fans.
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