Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree launches today, and FromSoftware has delivered what may be the greatest piece of DLC in gaming history. The expansion adds an entirely new realm — the Shadow Realm — with a scale and density of content that dwarfs many full-priced games. New bosses, new weapons, new areas, and a narrative that recontextualises Elden Ring’s lore in profound ways.
The expansion earns a Metacritic of 94 across platforms — making it the highest-rated DLC ever released. Critics are unanimous: Shadow of the Erdtree is not an afterthought or a revenue extension. It’s a full creative statement from Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team, with bosses that rank among the best in any FromSoftware game.
The standout new bosses — Messmer the Impaler, Midra Lord of Frenzied Flame, and the final confrontation — are being celebrated as the most creative and challenging FromSoftware has ever designed. The new weapon categories, including the transformative Backhand Blade and the unique Duelling Shield system, add meaningful build diversity.
Two years after launch, Elden Ring is still the gold standard of open-world action RPGs. Shadow of the Erdtree cements that legacy.
Source: Bandai Namco