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Just like myself, if you are a fan of exploring untouched fantasy worlds, then the thought of new content on Elden Ring must have already given you sleepless nights. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is as good as I thought it would be – it is an addition to the original game but is very detailed and gives the feel of a self-contained adventure. But, as much as I would like to sing its praises without a pause, praising the goodness also hides some thorny vines.

The Collector's Edition – An Expensive Edition

Rather than discussing the gameplay itself, let’s get around The Collector's Edition: some say it’s a real sore point. The price of $250 made me wince because it was so steep. I get it, FromSoftware enthusiasts – we are all set to throw our cash at anything that's even vaguely glimmering gold, even if it’s the Erdtree. However, this bundle does not even come with the base game, and the free stuff that was included has low value.

The statue is nice enough to go on your display shelf, but when I reflect on what else could have been included, like in my opinion, a full art book that dives into the lore of the new areas and tangible maps, or mediums that help guide us through the complex twists and turns of an expansion, I realize we missed out on a lot of opportunity.

Rather than having some physical content, I desired effort to be put into this Special Edition so it didn’t end up feeling so generic and common. I feel like it’s an extra feature created just to exploit our passion for the series while being very cheap in terms of return.

The Story: Murky Mystery

Just like any other FromSoftware game, the plot is something that needs weaving through the layers of sadness. As with Erdtree’s shadows, it has something to do with decay and rebirth while also being cryptic and emotionally devastating. Without giving anything away, it is bad for the heart. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, in the middle, for example, had me staring blankly at the screen. There was a very powerful moment that left me speechless.

However, despite trying to capture its ambition, the upper is what Erdtree’s shadow is conveyed. I do feel as though some story can be construed from it. The quest lines seem easy, yet they are impossible to complete for non-player characters better known as NPCs. If you’re unfamiliar with the intricate details of the map/methods, you may feel lost. And by default, feeling adrift is not a good thing. A double-edged sword: embracing the mystery is appealing but so is feeling adrift.

Is It Needed to be Considered?

Indeed, one must ask the question: Is Shadow of the Erdtree worth spending time and money on? If you enjoyed Elden Ring and want more of that exhilarating combination of exploration, challenge, and discovery, then absolutely. The environment, and love created by FromSoftware are breathtaking and savage all at once, and the triumph it brings is memorable for life.

However, The Collector’s Edition, is it worth it? Fair question: not everyone would want it. If you are not a voracious follower looking for every piece of shadow ring memorabilia, chances are higher for you to stray towards the now standard version. Even now, be very careful. This isn’t an ideal expansion. It does bring a lot to the table but occasionally lacks focus due to, you guessed it, the colossal nature of its objectives.

Indeed, Shadow of the Erdtree is something unorthodox, This reminds me why Elden Ring captured my heart in the first place. Even when the game gets mind-bogglingly frustrating, the Shadow of the Erdtree will always hook you. If you are looking for a true adventure through the shadows, believe me. Take a step forward. There is no turning back and everything you thought you knew about the Erdtree will be altered entirely.