Saqib Shah
·4 min read
A slew of previews have laid bare the major new features in Elden Ring’s can’t-miss DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.
After more than a year-long wait, the update will transport players to a new arcane realm that lies beyond the game’s original setting, the Lands Between. Developer FromSoftware is touting it as closer to a fully fledged game than a mere expansion and, judging by the first impressions, it may have delivered on that lofty promise.
New bosses, weapons, dungeons and magic have previously been teased by publisher Bandai Namco but the piping hot previews offer a closer look at the game’s story and mechanics.
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, which is 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, based on seduction and betrayal.
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.
New Bosses
During your playthrough, you can expect to encounter at least 10 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.
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 16.5GB and you’ll be able to pre-load it on June 19 so should not 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.
