Game reviews / Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
2024 · PC · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · Action RPG · Soulslike · Open-world
4 scored sources · 2 countries contributing scores
Review consensus
Shadow of the Erdtree is a remarkably substantial expansion that preserves Elden Ring’s demanding combat while deepening its exploration, lore, atmosphere, and build variety. Critics consistently praised the Land of Shadow’s dense, vertically layered map, spectacular environments, inventive weapons, and exceptional boss encounters. Its difficulty is severe even by FromSoftware standards, and several fights demand adaptation rather than reliance on established builds. The main criticism is familiarity: the expansion rarely changes Elden Ring’s fundamental systems, while occasional lighting, texture, and technical issues remain. Even so, its world-building and encounter design make it an essential continuation for dedicated Tarnished.
Limited geographic coverage. Treat this score as an early indication.
Last researched: 2026-09-23
Pros
- Dense, interconnected exploration with striking environmental design
- Spectacular and creatively demanding boss encounters
- Excellent new weapons, spells, combat styles, and build options
- Adds meaningful lore and context to Elden Ring’s world
Cons
- Very high difficulty can feel punishing, especially in late encounters
- Core gameplay remains highly familiar to the base game
- Minor lighting, texture, and performance issues
- Progression encourages extensive exploration for Scadutree upgrades
Review sources
4 sources found across 2 countries. This is not exhaustive worldwide coverage.
- GamesRadar+ · United Kingdom · 100/100
- PC Gamer · United Kingdom · 95/100
- Push Square · United Kingdom · 80/100
- GameSpot · United States · 100/100