Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is, at its core, more Elden Ring.
This comes with all its Advantages, but also its downsides.

As per usual by now, the World, Enemies, Weapons, Bosses, Skylines and Spells all look phenomenal.
Even with no astounding Fidelity, Elden Rings Art Department knocks it out of the Park and continues to do so in the DLC:
The most enjoyable part of it is without a doubt still the blind experience.

What the DLC does exceptionally well:
- The NPCs and the general Narrative is much more strongly tied together compared to the basegame, without really sacrificing anything.
- The afore mentioned Visuals
- The new Weapons are mostly all really great and offer wider playstyles, movesets etc. It expands very well upon what was in the base game
- The OSTs improved significantly
- The Bosses on average are better, although harder and not without flaw.
- The world is more connected, tied together and has more verticality to it. A more condensed experience at times.
- Smaller dungeons experienced a significant upgrade and are very fun to do now

What the DLC does not well:
- The Final Bossfight currently is just not right, it has alot of issues in its final phase that just feel cheap and not properly tested.
- The game drops frames at certain times or places a little too much
- Some areas really shouldnt be as empty as they ended up being
- The general Bossfight philosophy is sadly more Spectacle over Gameplay. Fights lack alot of Rythm compared to other Fromsoft Titles.
- There is some not minor recycling of Bosses and Mobs. Not as huge as in the basegame, but it can get a little eye-rolling at times ( Looking at you, Agheel Dragon )


Overall, even with a Frustrating Factor right at the end, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is the single best Souls-like expansion and by no surprise very much recommendable.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is, at its core, more Elden Ring. This comes with all its Advantages, but also its downsides. As per usual by now, the World, Enemies, Weapons, Bosses, Skylines and Spells all look phenomenal. Even with no astounding Fidelity, Elden Rings Art Department knocks it out of the Park and continues to do so in the DLC: The most enjoyable part of it is without a doubt still the blind experience. What the DLC does exceptionally well: - The NPCs and the general Narrative is much more strongly tied together compared to the basegame, without really sacrificing anything. - The afore mentioned Visuals - The new Weapons are mostly all really great and offer wider playstyles, movesets etc. It expands very well upon what was in the base game - The OSTs improved significantly - The Bosses on average are better, although harder and not without flaw. - The world is more connected, tied together and has more verticality to it. A more condensed experience at times. - Smaller dungeons experienced a significant upgrade and are very fun to do now What the DLC does not well: - The Final Bossfight currently is just not right, it has alot of issues in its final phase that just feel cheap and not properly tested. - The game drops frames at certain times or places a little too much - Some areas really shouldnt be as empty as they ended up being - The general Bossfight philosophy is sadly more Spectacle over Gameplay. Fights lack alot of Rythm compared to other Fromsoft Titles. - There is some not minor recycling of Bosses and Mobs. Not as huge as in the basegame, but it can get a little eye-rolling at times ( Looking at you, Agheel Dragon ) Overall, even with a Frustrating Factor right at the end, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is the single best Souls-like expansion and by no surprise very much recommendable.