And so it's finally here: actual moving pictures of Shadow of the Erdtree, the next chapter of Elden Ring. Almost a full year since FromSoftware confirmed DLC was indeed in the works for its esteemed action RPG (and roughly two years since the base game's release), we've been given our first look at our next steps beyond the Lands Between. Better still, we've got a launch date too – June 21, 2024.
As predicted, Miquella will be the star of this show – one that is sequel-sized, set in a new location at about two-thirds of the main game's stature – and, for me, this is a branch of Elden Ring's speculative narrative that needs to be explored. Truth be told, Miquella's story is the only branch of Elden Ring lore that actually needs to be explored.
As someone who's been waiting for Shadow of the Erdtree before it even had a title, then, it feels strange to say I reckon Elden Ring should in fact call it quits after Shadow of the Erdtree inevitably lands with a bang.
Elden Rings?
I feel this way for a number of reasons. From a personal standpoint, I adore the lore tied to the flesh-eating, mind-altering Scarlet Rot sickness in Elden Ring, and how it relates to optional boss Malenia, the Goddess of Rot. Flanked by her twin – Miquella, who is the most powerful of the Empyreans – Malenia's battle with Starscourge Radahn during The Shattering saw her unleash the true power of the Scarlet Rot, reducing Caelid to the familiar red-river ruins we now see in the process.
Before now, concrete information on Miquella has been thin on the ground, besides the fact that he's 'cursed' to be perpetually young; and that he built the Haligtree to allow himself to age and, hopefully, purge his twin sister of rot. This was prevented from happening, however, when Mohg Lord of Blood kidnapped Miquella in his cocoon form. Mohg had planned to turn Miquella into a god by sharing his blood with him, you see (before then, all going to plan, becoming his consort), but we know this didn't work because Miquella has stripped himself of his flesh and travelled to the Land of Shadow in his sleep – the very place the DLC unfolds.
If all of that sounds a bit ridiculous, I'm right there with you. Despite pushing 400 hours on my primary Elden Ring save I still don't really understand it all, but I'm totally fascinated by Malenia and Miquella's story nevertheless. Moreover, the very fact that Shadow of the Erdree's narrative takes place concurrently with the base game will surely add a whole new dimension to FromSoftware's interpretive storytelling too that I'm properly excited to play with.
"Light-touch interpretive storytelling is, of course, a FromSoftware cornerstone"
Light-touch interpretive storytelling is, of course, a FromSoftware cornerstone, where seemingly innocuous features – such as item descriptions and boss placement – tell much of these games' narratives. Often, the most intriguing story-based offshoots are the ones that let us bridge the gaps with our imaginations – and while the studio has been doing this since Demon's Souls back in 2009, for me it perfected the model with the first Dark Souls two years later. That game's single slice of DLC, Artorias of the Abyss, explored the titular character's story and context a little deeper while leaving everything else open to speculative debate – and I think this is the perfect path for Elden Ring.
Don't get me wrong, I love Elden Ring, and I'd happily learn more about its dragons, about Nokron, about the dancing witches of the Dominula Windmill Village, but I'm pretty content with how their collective deep and sophisticated lore is hinted at as is. The myriad YouTubers who dissect the history of the Lands Between always make for compelling viewing anyway, and I regularly lose myself in the networks of unhinged thoughts and theories that populate Reddit and various other community spaces. Miquella's story, however, is the only one that I feel needs a closer look, in the same Artorias' did all those years ago.
Patience, please
FromSoftware has clearly, rightly, valued patience in its approach to growing Elden Ring. In conversation with Famitsu (spoken in Japanese; translated by Google), studio head Hidetaka Miyazaki said the development of Shadow of the Erdtree started after the base game was released, which suggests it's taken somewhere in the vicinity of two years to get right. I have no issue with developers taking their time with added content, especially when it's something of Shadow of the Erdree's size and scope. But given the fact Miyazaki also said FromSoftware has no plans for future DLC after this one, but wouldn't rule out future Elden Ring endeavours moving forward, I'd much rather see the studio work on Elden Ring 2 or another similar-styled project altogether.
Elden Ring is an astonishing undertaking, and I'm sure Shadow of the Erdtree will be the same. After that, I want to see FromSoftware spread its wings even wider. I think. There's every chance I explore Miquella's story and am left wanting more. And that's the sign of a studio firing on all cylinders.
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