A Reddit user, brightyh360, shared an incredible project on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel.
This monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours—20 hours dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly stated, "I built a top-down Elden Ring in Excel using formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA. It was a lengthy project, but the result was well worth the effort."
The impressive recreation boasts:
- A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
- Over 60 weapons;
- More than 50 enemies;
- A comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system;
- Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin), each with unique playstyles;
- 25+ armor sets;
- Six NPCs with accompanying quests;
- Four different game endings.
While entirely free to play, controlling the game relies on keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, though users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.
Interestingly, the game's Erdtree sparked a Christmas Eve comparison to a "Christmas tree." Reddit user Independent-Design17 suggests the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have served as inspiration. They highlighted the striking visual similarities between the in-game Small Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, noting deeper thematic connections. The catacombs at the base of the Erdtree, where souls are guided in Elden Ring, parallel the Aboriginal Australian view of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the perceived path of spirits, and each flowering branch symbolizing a departed soul.
