. 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,

[h1]NO SPOILERS BELOW[/h1]. [i]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.[/i] [h3]NARRATIVE & CHARACTERS[/h3] 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. [h3]COMBAT & ENEMY VARIETY[/h3] 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. [h3]DIFFICULTY[/h3] 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 [b]ESPECIALLY[/b] 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. [h3]MAP & AMBIANCE[/h3] 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. [h3]VERDICT[/h3] 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, [h1]I’d rate this a 9/10[/h1]