Summary
Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may boast one of the most vertical worlds FromSoftware has ever created. Simplystepping out into the Gravesite Plainat the beginning of the DLC and looking ahead at the Erdtree towering over the land is only a small glimpse of what the Realm of Shadow has to offer. For all intents and purposes, Shadow of the Erdtree is an entire game more than it is a DLC thanks to its sprawling open world, and much of this is due to its emphasis on verticality as opposed to merely horizontally stretching its world out as far as possible.
Where FromSoftware could go from here is currently unknown, but the success ofElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will likely influence the outcome of its next game. In light of that, Shadow of the Erdtree’s successor will need to decide which direction to take with its map design, assuming it plans to replicate the verticality of the DLC’s world.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Successor Will Need to Choose One of Two Paths for Its Map
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Successor Could Leave Its Map the Way It Is
To complement Shadow of the Erdtree’s emphatic emphasis on verticality, the DLC features a map intentionally designed to hide it. After all, it might not be as rewarding for players if Shadow of the Erdtree’s map handed them its deepest depths and highest heights on a silver platter, as devoting time to exploring every inch of theRealm of Shadowis filled with countless surprises which would inevitably not be as surprising if revealed ahead of time.
It is entirely possible to see some of this verticality displayed on Shadow of the Erdtree’s map, as areas that are higher than others are often brighter, its lower areas growing increasingly dark the deeper they go. However, only a fraction of every square footage of ground players can cover is shown on the map, as frequentlyventuring off the beaten path in Shadow of the Erdtreecan even lead players to areas they would not have known were there otherwise.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Successor Could Reveal More Verticality Like Elden Ring
Regardless of how intentional FromSoftware was withShadow of the Erdtree’s rewarding map design, the DLC’s successor will still need to decide whether to implement map features that allow players to see more of its verticality.Elden Ring’s base game map for the Lands Between features an above-ground map and an underground map, which allows players to see both levels separately and, therefore, makes it easier to discern the differences between the two.
The above-ground map still features some of the Lands Between’s verticality, although it is very minuscule in comparison to the Realm of Shadow’s.
With Elden Ring’s Lands Between map considered,Shadow of the Erdtree’s successorwill need to decide whether to implement a map feature similar to the base game. Specifically, should Shadow of the Erdtree’s successor choose to double down on the vertical world ofElden Ring’s DLC, it may need to incorporate multiple “floors” into its map that allow players to see the world’s different levels. This would help completionists, especially, as it would assist them in ensuring they are able to cover every inch of the map and obtain every collectible item.
Nothing is known yet aboutFromSoftware’s next gameand whether it will follow the formula ofElden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, or both when it comes to its world and map design. However, after the massive success of Shadow of the Erdtree, the developer is at least likely to consider implementing elements of what led to that success into its next game. If that includes a more vertical world, then the game’s map design will need to either maintain Shadow of the Erdtree’s intentionally cryptic nature or make it a little more revealing instead.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
