Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is peak FromSoftware, with everything players complained about in the base game dialed up to 11 in the funniest way possible

When FromSoftware released Elden Ring earlier this year, fans of the notoriously challenging Dark Souls series and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice were ecstatic. The game’s dark fantasy world, intricate lore, and punishing difficulty were everything they had come to expect from the Japanese developer. However, not everyone was pleased. Some players complained about the game’s obtuse storytelling, frustratingly difficult boss battles, and the sheer amount of time it took to traverse the vast open world.

Well, it seems that FromSoftware was listening, and their response is the recently released DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. In a move that can only be described as trolling, the developers have taken every criticism leveled against the base game and amplified it to absurd levels. The result is a DLC that is both a loving send-up of the franchise’s quirks and a defiant middle finger to anyone who thought the game was too easy.

The first thing players will notice is the increased difficulty. Oh boy, is it increased. Enemies that were once merely annoying are now downright sadistic, with attack patterns that seem designed to make you throw your controller across the room. Boss battles, already a highlight of the base game, are now longer, more complex, and more brutal than ever before. It’s not uncommon to spend an hour or more on a single fight, only to be defeated by a single misstep and sent back to the start.

But it’s not just the combat that’s been cranked up to 11. The world of Shadow of the Erdtree is even more labyrinthine and confusing than before. Players will find themselves lost in endless corridors, searching for a way out of the Erdtree’s twisted, Escher-like architecture. And don’t even get me started on the puzzles. What were once clever, if occasionally frustrating, challenges are now brain-twisting, hair-pulling exercises in frustration.

And yet, despite the increased difficulty and complexity, Shadow of the Erdtree is somehow more enjoyable than the base game. It’s as if FromSoftware has distilled the essence of their franchise into its purest, most concentrated form. Every aspect of the game, from the haunting soundtrack to the gruesome, unsettling visuals, has been amplified to create an experience that is both exhilarating and exhausting.

But what truly sets Shadow of the Erdtree apart is its sense of humor. It’s clear that the developers are in on the joke, and are having a laugh at the expense of their players. From the ridiculous, over-the-top boss battles to the absurd, Monty Python-esque animations, it’s clear that FromSoftware is winking at us, daring us to keep up with their antics.

In the end, Shadow of the Erdtree is a love letter to fans of FromSoftware’s unique brand of masochistic game design. It’s a defiant, unapologetic celebration of everything that makes their games so beloved and so infuriating. If you’re a fan of the franchise, or just looking for a challenge that will push you to your limits, then Shadow of the Erdtree is a must-play. Just be sure to bring a spare controller or two, because you’re going to need them.