Summary
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree sets a new Metacritic record with a score of 95, making it the highest-rated DLC ever.
- Critics praise the expansion for its scale, storytelling, and intriguing world design, comparing it to a sequel.
- Players are recommended to be in the level 120-130 range before starting the DLC to fully enjoy the boss battles and beautiful locations.
The highly anticipated expansion, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has already broken a Metacritic record ahead of its launch on Friday. Shadow of the Erdtree ventures to a new location called the Land of Shadow and looks set to introduce plenty of new lore surrounding Miquella the Unalloyed, the most powerful demigod in Elden Ring, as players follow their footsteps and meet several new followers and have the opportunity to engage in roughly 40 brutal boss battles depending on their actions.
As reported by VGC, Shadow of the Erdtree is the highest-rated DLC ever on Metacritic, with a current score of 95 based on 56 reviews, and is the most acclaimed FromSoftware DLC release, beating out Dark Souls‘ Astorias of the Abyss, which was previously the highest with a score of 89 on the site. On top of this, Shadow of the Erdtree has claimed the 36th place in Metacritic’s overall list of the highest-rated games of all time.
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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Review – FromSoft’s Greatest Hits
Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a victory lap for FromSoftware, bringing in elements from past games without losing what made it special.
What Critics Are Saying About Shadow Of The Erdtree
The Expansion Has Been Called “Sequel-Sized”
Critics have been quick to praise Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree‘s scale and story, with VGC and Rock Paper Shotgun essentially calling it a sequel. The Shadow Realm has also been praised for its atmospheric storytelling and intricate world design, with plenty for players to see and do that set it apart from the base game.
Screen Rant‘s own review called the expansion a “well-executed victory lap for FromSoftware,” addressing the various elements FromSoft fans will recognize from past games that have returned in Shadow Realm, such as Dark Souls-esque level designs that resemble The Duke’s Archives and New Londo Ruins. It also praised the great lineup of boss battles and the inclusion of “some of the most beautiful locations FromSoftware has ever produced.”
Considering how well-received Elden Ring was upon its 2022 launch, with it scoring similarly highly on Metacritic with a 96, it should come as no surprise that FromSoftware has brought the same level of quality to the game’s expansion. Clearly, when Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree launches on June 21, players will have plenty to look forward to as they prepare to sink many more hours into the game again, exploring the stunning yet deadly new lands.
Source: Metacritic (via. VGC)
