The Divisive Reception of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion

Elden Ring’s latest expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has sparked a controversial reaction among players. With a ‘Mixed’ rating on Steam based on over 12,000 user reviews, it is evident that a significant portion of the player base is not satisfied with this new content. Comparing this to the base game’s overwhelmingly positive reception, it is clear that Shadow of the Erdtree has fallen short of player expectations in some way.

One of the main criticisms of the Elden Ring DLC is its perceived level of difficulty. Many players have reported encountering bosses that deliver one-shot kills and attack patterns that are challenging to predict or evade. This has led to frustration among the player base, with some expressing a need for a rebalance of the game’s mechanics in order to make it more enjoyable to play.

In addition to the challenging gameplay, players have also raised concerns about the performance of the expansion. Issues such as wonky performance and unfair punishment have been cited as common complaints among those who have played Shadow of the Erdtree. These issues have further contributed to the negative reception of the expansion and have left many players feeling disillusioned with the overall experience.

Prior to the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, warnings from FromSoftware president and Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki hinted at the challenging nature of the new content. Miyazaki’s statements suggested that the studio had pushed the boundaries of player endurance with this expansion, setting the stage for a more difficult gameplay experience. While some players may have anticipated this level of challenge, others have found it to be overwhelming and disheartening.

The release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has elicited a mixed response from the player community. While some have embraced the heightened difficulty and expansive gameplay of the expansion, others have struggled to adapt to its challenges and have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the game. As the player base continues to engage with the new content, it remains to be seen whether adjustments will be made to address the concerns raised and improve the overall gameplay experience for all players.