Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Receives Mixed Reviews - ASO World

The long-awaited Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has finally arrived, offering a massive 30-40 hour expansion with a new map and 10 challenging bosses.

Despite its critical acclaim, the DLC has received mixed reviews from players on Steam, with many citing its high difficulty and PC performance issues.

A Tough Challenge Even for Souls Veterans

Difficulty Complaints

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has been noted for its extreme difficulty, even by Souls-style game standards. Players have reported that enemies and bosses are overly aggressive and deal excessive damage, making the gameplay experience frustrating for some. The DLC's difficulty has been a major point of contention, with many reviews highlighting the unfairness of enemy attacks and the lack of openings for counterattacks.

Balancing Issues

One of the main criticisms revolves around the balancing of enemy encounters. Players have pointed out that enemies have too much health and perform endless combos, leaving little room for players to strike back.

User Filippikus commented, "Every enemy does a lot of damage, has a ton of health and has endless combos that leave nearly no openings." This sentiment is echoed by many others who feel that the game's combat lacks the ebb and flow typical of FromSoftware titles.

Technical Performance on PC

In addition to the difficulty complaints, players have also reported performance issues on PC. These include framerate drops and stuttering, which can detract from the overall experience.

While some players, like those with high-end rigs, have reported minimal issues, others have found the performance to be inconsistent and problematic.

Editor's Comments

Embracing the Challenge

Despite the mixed reviews, it's important to understand that Shadow of the Erdtree is designed to be challenging. FromSoftware's games are known for their difficulty, and this DLC takes it to another level. Players need to adopt a more aggressive playstyle, staying close to bosses and rolling through their attacks to find openings. The new Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes also offer ways to enhance your character's abilities, making the battles more manageable.

A Masterpiece in Design

While the difficulty and performance issues are valid concerns, the DLC's art direction and world design are undeniably impressive. The new map is filled with breathtaking landscapes and intricate enemy designs, making exploration a rewarding experience. As players spend more time with the DLC and adapt to its challenges, it's possible that the overall reception may improve.