For all fans of FromSoftware and anyone who keeps up with recent releases in the gaming world, a major announcement was made February 21st. The first gameplay reveal of the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, premiered along with a June 21st release date. Along with this, IGN conducted an interview with Elden Ring’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, revealing new information on the expansion.

Elden Ring is a critically acclaimed game from an equally acclaimed studio, having won Game of the Year in 2022’s Game Awards. The game has surpassed 23 million sales worldwide, breaching the mainstream. It is no surprise that Shadow of the Erdtree would be so highly anticipated. Since the DLC’s release date on February 28th 2023, around a year ago, there has been only a bare trickle of news and anticipation regarding its contents. The footage and info on the game has naturally made big waves in the Elden Ring community online, as people begin to analyze every bit of the trailer. 

Even in Cresskill there are many fans of Elden Ring who have had strong reactions to the news. One CHS student expressed great excitement for the DLC, saying that, “June can’t come soon enough.” They also expressed an admiration for the art design and a particular interest in one new character introduced, Messmer the Impaler. Advertised as a major figure in the expansion, the mystery surrounding him and his identity, and his design, have drawn many to him. 

As the release date grows closer, excitement will only grow for the Shadow of the Erdtree. Not only in Cresskill but worldwide, its release will mark a momentous occasion for all fans of Elden Ring. Its significance lies in being the expansion to what can only be considered a modern masterpiece. But many of these fans can be found in CHS, all of which will surely be among the first in line to take on Shadow of the Erdtree’s captivating challenges.