Vitri
1 review liked by Vitri
As a veteran of FromSoftware's titles, having played almost all their games except Bloodborne and Demon's Souls due to the lack of a PlayStation, I found the Elden Ring DLC "Shadow of the Erdtree" to be an experience that evokes deep nostalgia. It's evident that Hidetaka Miyazaki wanted to offer a kind of reward to the more veteran players of the "souls" franchise, something that's felt throughout this additional content. In this review, I'll explore the positive and negative aspects of the DLC, sharing my perspective based on hours of gameplay and personal experience.
One of the most notable aspects of "Shadow of the Erdtree" is undoubtedly its world building. Just like in Elden Ring, the DLC presents a meticulously detailed map with visually stunning and distinctive areas. This attention to detail creates an immersive and entertaining environment, inviting exploration without the fear of missing important elements, given that the map isn't excessively large. This balance allows for a gameplay experience that feels rich and rewarding.
The difficulty has been a contentious topic. Some players find certain bosses excessively difficult and unfair. Personally, I've experienced this frustration, spending around eight hours on a single boss, consuming my entire Saturday. However, it's precisely this difficulty that fascinates me about FromSoftware's games. The sense of personal achievement, of improving with each attempt, even though it sometimes feels like you're regressing, is what makes these games unique. This perseverance, patience, and discipline required touch a deep chord within me, making this DLC a memorable and meaningful experience.
Despite how visually impressive the map is, it often feels empty. The lack of interaction beyond going from point A to point B diminishes the immersion. Although the castles and structures are visually distinct, the repetition of enemies and the lack of variety in interactions make the map, although beautiful, feel lifeless.
The recycling of enemies from the base game is noticeable, and the new enemies added are excessively repeated throughout the DLC. This lack of originality in encounters reduces the freshness of the experience. The castles, though beautifully designed, often present the same structure: a wave of generic enemies followed by a "mini boss / powerful enemy", which can become predictable and monotonous.
Dungeons make their return in this DLC, and my opinion about them has not changed since the base game. I didn't like them then, and I don't like them now. Once you've completed one, the rest feel the same or even worse. Fortunately, there are few in this DLC, minimizing their negative impact.
In conclusion, despite its flaws, "Shadow of the Erdtree" has offered me a rewarding experience, which stands out as one of the most significant in my life, leaving me with indelible memories.
If you've read this far, thank you for reading my opinion/experience/reflection.
Miyazaki, release Bloodborne on PC, damn it. :)
One of the most notable aspects of "Shadow of the Erdtree" is undoubtedly its world building. Just like in Elden Ring, the DLC presents a meticulously detailed map with visually stunning and distinctive areas. This attention to detail creates an immersive and entertaining environment, inviting exploration without the fear of missing important elements, given that the map isn't excessively large. This balance allows for a gameplay experience that feels rich and rewarding.
The difficulty has been a contentious topic. Some players find certain bosses excessively difficult and unfair. Personally, I've experienced this frustration, spending around eight hours on a single boss, consuming my entire Saturday. However, it's precisely this difficulty that fascinates me about FromSoftware's games. The sense of personal achievement, of improving with each attempt, even though it sometimes feels like you're regressing, is what makes these games unique. This perseverance, patience, and discipline required touch a deep chord within me, making this DLC a memorable and meaningful experience.
Despite how visually impressive the map is, it often feels empty. The lack of interaction beyond going from point A to point B diminishes the immersion. Although the castles and structures are visually distinct, the repetition of enemies and the lack of variety in interactions make the map, although beautiful, feel lifeless.
The recycling of enemies from the base game is noticeable, and the new enemies added are excessively repeated throughout the DLC. This lack of originality in encounters reduces the freshness of the experience. The castles, though beautifully designed, often present the same structure: a wave of generic enemies followed by a "mini boss / powerful enemy", which can become predictable and monotonous.
Dungeons make their return in this DLC, and my opinion about them has not changed since the base game. I didn't like them then, and I don't like them now. Once you've completed one, the rest feel the same or even worse. Fortunately, there are few in this DLC, minimizing their negative impact.
In conclusion, despite its flaws, "Shadow of the Erdtree" has offered me a rewarding experience, which stands out as one of the most significant in my life, leaving me with indelible memories.
If you've read this far, thank you for reading my opinion/experience/reflection.
Miyazaki, release Bloodborne on PC, damn it. :)