. As of writing this review. I’ve completed every questline, beaten every boss in the DLC, and acquired at least one weapon in each of the new weapon categories.

To put it briefly - The story follows your Tarnished character as they answer the call to follow the (literal) footsteps of Miquella, alongside an original cast of characters previously serving different factions from across The Lands Between. Here, the story guides your Tarnished’s interactions with these characters far more closely than perhaps any other character in the main game, save for perhaps Melina and maybe some of the regulars at the Roundtable Hold. Your interactions with them are more frequent, and more expository, with a fair amount of interaction among the characters themselves with one another.

The plot here is much tighter, and motivations are less ambiguous than the base story. Everything feels a lot more focused on you and your relation to the followers in this group. Overall, the quests you're tasked with completing don't feel as random as some of the ones in the base game may feel, if you're not reading the item descriptions on every item pickup or piece of armor to read the lore tidbits included. Though that is still recommended to do, in order to try to piece together some of the more mysterious elements of the overarching story and lore.

Each member of Miquella's group of followers is given adequate characterization and personality. Enough to keep their storylines interesting and unique enough to not want to miss. An important thing to note about this in particular, is that much like in the base game, certain quests are entirely missable if you progress too much in the story. Ultimately, while your decisions throughout the DLC actually feel like they're having a direct impact on the fate of group, they do not affect the world outside of the DLC. The signature FromSoftware high fantasy aesthetics, tragic characters, nigh-impossible bosses, and absurdly expansive & confusing lore are certainly here in abundance.

There are only a few repeats of exact enemy types from the base game, and the only character models that were brought over into the DLC as identical copies are really only a handful if you ignore the animal NPCs. It was a pleasant surprise to see that even the basic “grunt”-type enemy had been given an updated moveset, albeit one that is undoubtedly far more punishing than before. On top of the new movesets, enemies are also given new weapons exclusive to the DLC. And some of the ones which you're actually able to use yourself include perfume bottles, backhand blades, beast claws, and thrusting shields, among a number of others.

This is easily one of FromSoftware’s most difficult releases to date. Enemy combos are absurd, striking multiple times, and often enough to drain your stamina completely. Many of them have grab attacks, AoEs, or can engage you at ridiculous range. This is ESPECIALLY true for many of the late-game enemies. I started the DLC at around RL 170 (with vigor beyond 60) & was surprised to see that some of the introductory NPC bad guys at the starting area were taking enormous chunks of my health in single hits. With my character getting wiped out entirely by some of the larger foes in these same areas or by mis-timing a dodge from one enemy and rolling into the attack combo of another.

SoTE implements a new mechanic for leveling your character called “Scadutree Fragments.” Basically, these are collectible items scattered throughout the Lands of Shadow that, in enough quantities, will allow you to increase your character’s attack and defense. These feel almost mandatory to collect with how insane the damage output on even the most scrawniest of pipsqueak enemies here is. However, these upgrades do not carry over outside of the DLC.

It’s still possible to cheese nearly every one of the main bosses in the game (yes, even those two that everyone complains about). Enemies and bosses still have elemental resistances and weaknesses, and some of the weapons, weapon affinities / ashes of war, and incantations here are extremely good against some bosses. These new items, alongside the new leveling system, spirit summons, and even the fact that you are allowed to call in MULTIPLE summons for some fights, make this DLC entirely doable, even for casual players. It’s really just about bringing the right combination of items to the bossfight. It's highly encouraged that you thoroughly explore as many areas as you can, so that you can find as many of these as possible. These will be of tremendous help in the endgame areas.

Due to the vertically of many of the areas within the Shadow Lands, platforming will be more often required to traverse the different sections of the map. However, none of the areas in the DLC are made as frustratingly difficult as the platforming puzzle in the Leyndell Catacombs in the main game. In The Lands Between, some of the most awe-inspiring moments for me were, without a doubt, the introduction to the Royal Capital, as well as the initial plunge into Nokron. Likewise, Shadow of the Erdtree has a couple of very impressive and visually striking environments that leave a lasting impression at first sight. None of the areas feel barren, unfinished, or without purpose (No consecrated snowfields here). The soundtrack is also just as incredible as before, with certain bosses having just as iconic themes.

This is a difficult & completely unforgiving DLC. However, the journey & story it presents is (to me), far more entertaining than that of the base game. Therefore,

When the DLC was initially announced, it caught my eye primarily because of the inclusion of the Block III Hornet. I thought it was somewhat unique as it would be the only non-European plane equipped with the ability to carry LACMs, which IMO are the best weaponry for some of the denser air-to-ground missions such as Fleet Destruction or Anchorhead Raid. The Block III is also far more maneuverable than its standard counterpart & better suited for dogfighting, though I think that perhaps it shouldn't have had the EML removed & it would have been nice to be able equip some of the F/A-18F Super Hornet skins (Red Devils, Jolly Rogers, etc.) as well. Overall, this might the the most "worth it" out of the aircraft in the DLC, at least for me. The LACM & 8AGM are potent enough for you to competently take on large ground targets, and the 4AAM & vulcan (which isn't available on any of the European / Russian planes) are enough for you to feel equipped for A2A.

As for the MiG-35D Super Fulcrum... I personally didn't think that neither it nor its aesthetics were all that impressive (especially that "Tiger" skin) 6AAMs & 4AGMs are a common weapon option among many existing planes, so the most unique of its abilities would be the SAAM. The SAAM on this one, since its relatively maneuverable make it a pretty decent choice for multiplayer. Regardless, I think I'd place the Super Kai above this one since it allows you to equip the EW module which (i think) is only available at the moment for the ADFX-01 Morgan & the CFA-44 Nosferatu (also DLC aircraft). The Super Kai I'd say is the most versatile out of the three since, for missions with a return line (like the Battle of Farbanti), you can cycle the LASM for ships, 6AAMs for the dogfight on the coast, and the IEWs for the battle with Sol Squadron.

Personally, I'd say the Block III is the most impressive out of the three, followed by the Super Kai, and then the Super Fulcrum. If you can only afford one, I'd say to go for the Block III if you're into A2G missions or the Super Kai because of its capabilities in a dogfight. I don't think that the Super Fulcrum differentiates itself from existing alternatives to stand out in any significant way, even though on its own it's a fairly competent aircraft.

As for the additional content included w/ the DLC, this has some pretty decent looking skins, probably one of the better selections out of the existing DLCs. The Razgriz skins for the F-22 & X-02S Strike Wyvern might actually be my favourite ones out of any in the game. There is also the Scarface for the SU-57, Varcolac for the Terminator & Foxhound, Block 1 for the Morgan, and Prototype for the Wyvern. The Air Combat sigils are pretty aesthetically underwhelming but somewhat interesting nonetheless since I wouldn't have expected their inclusion at all, so the Mobius 1 & Zone of Endless emblem are probably the better ones. All in all, while the best DLC aircraft set released thus far might still be the Original Aircraft Series (the one with the Shinden, XFA, and Nosferatu), for the reasons above, this may still be worth it.