Things Shadow Of The Erdtree Does Better Than The Base Game

Summary

Shadow of the Erdtree DLC refines Elden Ring with expanded lore, improved storytelling, and more accessible NPC quests.
The smaller, more focused Shadow Lands encourage natural exploration and unique dungeon levels with valuable rewards.
New weapon types and animations enhance combat, providing Tarnished players with exciting options and expanding the game's lore.

It is clear that in the time since Elden Ring was first released in 2022, the developers at FromSoftware have learned a lot from their award-winning title. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC feels like a refinement of everything players loved about the base game while ironing out some of its criticisms in design and mechanics.

Elden Ring collage of Godfrey, Placidusax, and the Tarnished

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By Rohan James Hill

It's a pretty big expansion, covering a massive area packed with things to discover. Promotions before release compared its size to Limgrave, the game's first area, but it feels like so much more, partly due to the varied landscape of the Shadow Lands. While the core loop remains mostly equal to before, the DLC improves and builds upon it in several ways.

1 Lore

Builds On The History Of The Realm

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Players must uncover the truth about one of the more prevailing mysteries, the absence of Miquella
The DLC reveals the Dragon Cult's origins, Marika's heritage, and more

Renowned Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin collaborated with FromSoftware to build Elden Ring's world and overarching narrative. This blend of detailed writing and elusive presentation gives The Lands Between an authentic feeling, providing just as many questions as it does answers. Shadow of the Erdtree builds on many of the game's mysteries.

The expansion explores aspects of the base game, telling more about its many characters and factions, with revelations that can change players' perspectives. The lore of the base game was already rich, but the DLC takes this to another level, answering countless questions while adding a few more for players to ponder.

2 Story Accessibility

Easier-To-Follow Main Story And NPC Quests

how to beat radahn consort of Miquella in elden ring dlc shadow of the erdtree sote

The smaller open-world makes it easier to track down NPCs and continue their questlines
NPCs in the DLC often leave notes and maps to help the player progress

As with most Soulsborne titles, Elden Ring's story can be difficult to follow, especially its NPC quests. This is by design, encouraging players to pay close attention to dialogue, read item descriptions, and study the environment to understand what they're fighting for. This can make the game more interesting, but the confusion sometimes does more harm than good.

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By Erik Petrovich

Partly down to the smaller size of the region, but also due to notes and maps left by characters, it's a little easier to track down NPCs and continue their stories. Also, the DLC's late-game access means players already understand the world's more convoluted storytelling. The Shadow Lands is a more focused and accessible experience without abandoning the game's identity.

3 World Exploration

Dense And Vertical Map

An Elden Ring player on the Shadow of the Erdtree's Cerulean Coast

The beautifully crafted open world encourages more natural exploration without checking the map
It always feels like there's more to discover, with seemingly insignificant pathways leading to whole new regions

The world of Elden Ring is amazing, with stunning vistas and careful design that tells stories with no dialogue or text. It's also huge, covering a massive landmass that houses various domains and cultures. The Shadow Lands is smaller by comparison but manages to fit a huge amount of content without overwhelming the player.

Exploring is more streamlined, withholding the maps for new areas for longer and encouraging curiosity. Finding new areas always feels like a discovery, with the rocky landscape hiding vast areas from view or teasing interesting landmarks in out-of-reach places. The base game is not lacking here, but FromSoftware seems to have fine-tuned everything amazing about the Lands Between and injected it into the Lands of Shadow.

4 Dungeon Variety

New And Interesting Dungeon Levels

Dungeons are far less repetitive than in the base game, and more intentionally placed
Each Mini-Dungeon feels unique with interesting enemies and puzzles to solve

One of Elden Ring's biggest criticisms is the repetitive nature of the dungeons, with many sharing the same enemy types and bosses, providing little variety or reward. This has plagued FromSoftware's level design for some time, with similar complaints about their Chalice dungeons in Bloodborne. They've heard this feedback, as the DLC has made major improvements.

While some repetition persists, it never feels out of place or becomes boring. Mini-dungeons are less persistent than in The Lands Between, featuring more detail and creativity, with interesting enemies, puzzles, and unique bosses. Rewards are also more valuable, making these excursions a more worthwhile experience. This is also true for the Legacy Dungeons on a larger scale.

5 Weapon Types

Brand-New Weapon Types And Animations

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Backhand Blade Feature SOTE

Hand-to-hand martial arts are a joy to use with satisfying kicks and punches
The quick and stylish Backhand Blades are great at catching enemies off-guard

The base game already has a massive array of weapon types and spells for the Tarnished to use, and they are all implemented very well. They also generally stick to standard fantasy tropes, not covering much new ground. FromSoftware took this as an opportunity in the DLC, including several new weapon types that go beyond what players have come to expect.

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By Jordan Blaize Winter-Roach

New types include the interesting Backhand Blades, stylish Hand-to-Hand Arts, Light Greatswords, and more, as well as other weapons that build on mechanics in the base games, such as the various perfume bottles. These new tools make the combat more exciting in both PvE and PvP. They also flesh out the lore of the region where they're found.

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