Now is the best time to get into Elden Ring
In the two years since it was released, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring has had 3 dedicated PVP colosseums added to it, numerous patches, and even more accolades from various media profiles. What it hasn’t had is a DLC that builds upon the established game. This is all set to change with the release of Shadow of the Erdtree.
Shadow of the Erdtree includes new locations, weapons, items, spells, and characters to interact with. It also includes new enemies and bosses to fight. All of this is set against the backdrop of The Land of Shadow – a new world that players are guided to by the infamous Miquella. While there is still some time until the DLC releases on June 21, 2024, players could use this lull in video game releases to get into Elden Ring and make sure they’re ready for the expansion.
Elden Ring is a big game
Not counting those who repeatedly play the game from start to finish, the majority of those who played Elden Ring might only remember bits and pieces of their previous playthroughs. Character builds, quest lines, and personal tasks may have been forgotten, so some might want to start anew. Considering Elden Ring’s scale and the fact that it came out 2 years ago, it can take a while for players new and old to experience most of the game’s content.
A month or so is ample time to get into Elden Ring. Players can take their time exploring The Lands Between and getting their characters ready for the DLC. Existing weapons, spells, items, and equipment that are ideal for builds can be obtained. Runes, Smithing Stones, Grave Gloveworts, Bell Bearings, and other avenues for upgrading can be acquired with the sole purpose of taking on the new content. Elden Ring’s new game plus modes make enemies much stronger, so players might want to start a new run instead of resuming with a character they might have forgotten how to play.
Shadow of the Erdtree will be big on lore
Arguably the biggest reason to get into (or back into) Elden Ring before the DLC launches is the story. FromSoftware games are steeped in lore, but they never force it upon players. Item descriptions, level design, and dialogue have a big role in telling the story, but players must look deeper if they want to get a complete picture. Those who want to get into Elden Ring’s lore without going all out can watch videos made by creators like VaatiVidya and Zullie the Witch. VaatiVidya mostly focuses on the lore that is presented in Elden Ring (and other FromSoftware games), while Zulie the Witch tends to dive deep into the game’s’ files to discover unused content that may shed light on more obscure topics.
Shadow of the Erdtree will undoubtedly deepen Elden Ring’s lore. The DLC’s main focus seems to be none other than Miquella – brother of Malenia and Empyrean in his own right. Though he is mentioned numerous times in the main game (most notably by Malenia, whenever she kills players during her boss fight), Miquella never makes an appearance, as he is rumored to reside in The Land of Shadow. It is in the DLC where players hope to find Miquella and learn his side of the story.
Since it was reported that Shadow of the Erdtree will require players to kill both Mohg, Lord of Blood and Starscourge Radahn to access the Land of Shadow, players who reach this point would have a reasonably leveled character and a grasp on the game’s lore. A well-leveled character and knowledge of the story aren’t everything, which is why players should explore the game at their own pace.
Elden Ring is big, and it is only going to get bigger when Shadow of the Erdtree gets released. It has been a year since the DLC was first announced, but now that a date has been set, players can properly schedule their return to The Lands Between.
The Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” is scheduled for release on June 21 for the PC (Steam), PS4/PS5 and Xbox series X|S/Xbox One.
