Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Gets Mixed Reviews on Steam

Highlights

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree receives mixed reviews for unfair difficulty levels and performance issues on Steam.
• DLC introduces new area Land of Shadow with new challenges, enemies, and lore for players to explore.
• Despite praise for legacy dungeons, some players find the game’s open world empty and unfulfilling.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is receiving mixed reviews from players on Steam, who cite “unfair” difficulty levels and performance issues. Released just three days ago, on June 21, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree already has more than 43,000 reviews on Steam, with many players expressing disappointment.

Shadow of the Erdtree is the first major expansion for the critically acclaimed action RPG Elden Ring. This DLC introduces a new area called the Land of Shadow, which is obscured by the Erdtree and filled with new challenges, secrets, and lore. Players follow the storyline of Miquella, a key character who has left behind his golden lineage, to uncover dark mysteries and engage with new enemies, bosses, and NPCs. The expansion features a variety of new content, including 70 new weapons, 30 new armor sets, and numerous new spells and abilities, enhancing the game’s RPG elements and combat mechanics.

Players have voiced a range of concerns, particularly about Shadow of the Erdtree‘s difficulty. One common complaint is that enemy damage, especially from some bosses, is excessively high, making the game frustrating rather than enjoyable. Fans of FromSoftware’s notoriously challenging games usually appreciate tough combat and intricate mechanics. However, many fans feel that Shadow of the Erdtree is not balanced correctly, leading to an unfair and painful experience rather than a rewarding one. Performance problems have also plagued the expansion. Some players report severe FPS drops and audio glitches, making the game nearly unplayable. Despite trying numerous fixes, players argue these issues persist, causing significant frustration.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Negative Steam Reviews

The expansion has its bright spots, with players praising the depth of content and the quality of the new legacy dungeons. These dungeons are seen as the highlight of the DLC, showcasing FromSoftware’s expertise in creating intricate and immersive environments. However, many players feel that the expansive open world introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree is empty and bland, suggesting that a more focused approach on dungeons might have been preferable. As a result, 15,000 out of the 43,000 Steam reviews are negative, giving the game a “Mixed” rating.

FromSoftware’s games are known for their high level of difficulty, which has become a defining feature of their titles. This challenging gameplay is characterized by intricate combat mechanics, unforgiving enemies, and complex level designs that demand precision, patience, and strategic thinking from players, fostering a sense of achievement and satisfaction when difficult obstacles are overcome. However, while the expansion aims to enhance the game’s RPG elements and combat mechanics, its reception suggests that further fine-tuning may be needed to fully satisfy the player base.