Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: A Discussion on Difficulty
The release of Elden Ring's highly anticipated expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, sparked considerable online debate regarding its difficulty. Many players, both seasoned veterans and newcomers, voiced concerns about the challenging new bosses, some even suggesting overtuning. Johan Pilestedt, CCO of Arrowhead Game Studios (developers of Helldivers 2), weighed in on FromSoftware's design philosophy.
Pilestedt, also the creative director of Helldivers 2, publicly agreed with streamer Rurikhan's assertion that FromSoftware intentionally crafts difficult boss encounters to provide a significant challenge. He emphasized that effective game design prioritizes evoking strong emotional responses in players. Dismissing concerns about alienating a broader audience, Pilestedt stated, "a game for everyone is a game for no one," advocating for developers to remain focused on their target demographic.
Developer Perspectives on Difficulty
Prior to the DLC's launch, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki himself acknowledged the increased difficulty in interviews, emphasizing that Shadow of the Erdtree's balance assumed players had substantial experience with the base game. FromSoftware's design process, Miyazaki explained, involved analyzing player feedback on enjoyable and frustrating aspects of the original game's boss fights.
Shadow of the Erdtree introduced the Scadutree Blessing mechanic, boosting player damage and reducing incoming damage within the Land of Shadow. Despite in-game explanations, many players seemingly overlooked or forgot this feature, prompting Bandai Namco to issue a reminder to utilize and level up the Blessing amidst the difficulty complaints.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
While Shadow of the Erdtree achieved the highest rating of any video game DLC on OpenCritic, surpassing even The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine, Steam reviews reveal a more divided reception. Negative reviews frequently cite both the challenging difficulty and newly introduced technical issues.
