Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind the creation of the Souls genre, revealed news about the upcoming DLC for Elden Ring “Shadow of the Erdtree” in an exclusive interview with IGN. We present you the key details.
What kind of interview was it? On February 21, shortly after FromSoftware released the new gameplay trailer for the upcoming DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree”, IGN unveiled an extensive interview (via ign.com) with the great mind behind Elden Ring, Hidetaka Miyazaki.
The interview revolved around important information regarding the DLC – such as the size of the map, the difficulty of the bosses, and what players can expect at release. The most interesting aspect here are mainly the bosses that fans of the game will have to grapple with.
If you have been concerned about their difficulty, we can reassure you – the bosses will be challenging.
Optional bosses are trimmed similarly to Malenia
What does Hidetaka Miyazaki say about the bosses? In the interview with IGN authors Mitchell Saltzman and Hidetaka Miyazaki, the question was raised about how the team behind the DLC has adjusted the difficulty and thus the bosses in the game. Two years post-release, many players would have a high level and possess the best equipment. Hidetaka answered this question as follows:
Our overall approach to difficulty in Elden Ring has, of course, not changed. We want to create a challenging experience that tests the players and gives them a sense of satisfaction and achievement when they overcome these challenges. However, we want to emphasize that there is still a certain approach and a broad variety of strategies involved in these encounters. […] The same philosophy is adopted in Shadow of the Erdtree. And again for our hardcore players: You will find optional bosses that have been adjusted in a similar way to Malenia, which you surely remember from the base game and which are not essential.
The relevant bosses in the DLC are constructed just like those from the base game – challenging, but doable. If they are too hard, you can return later and try your luck again. The optional bosses are meant for the tough warriors among you.
However, Miyazaki clarifies that you should not expect a new Malenia. This boss is and remains one of the hardest bosses of the franchise, but the optional bosses are still meant to be difficult and, above all, just as memorable as Malenia herself.
So, we have to wait and see how the team behind the upcoming DLC has created the bosses and what weapons they will take into battle against the Tainted. Either way, fans will have a long battle with the bosses, as one is accustomed to in Souls games from FromSoftware.
Are there any more important updates from the interview? The interview also revealed hints about the map. Its size is said to be equal to, if not larger than, the starting area “Limgrave”.
The map is supposed to offer more content in terms of quantity, providing many smaller and larger dungeons. These will also have bosses and items that you can loot, just like in the base game.
Moreover, Hidetaka confirms that the team currently has no plans for a second DLC. Shadow of the Erdtree could thus be the first and last DLC for Elden Ring. Whether a sequel to Elden Ring will be released, Hidetaka has also left open.
What do you think about the bosses? Has the trailer already sparked your excitement for the upcoming DLC, or are you waiting for feedback from the community? Let us know in the comments!
Head of Elden Ring says about the new DLC what fans want to hear: 10 new bosses, 8 new weapon types
