Elden Ring: Shadow of Erdtree was launched a few weeks ago, which means players have hopefully managed to overcome its incredibly tough fights (the latter in particular) and roll the end credits in the expansion. However, the group of players found themselves disappointed with the conclusionand all the story content of the expansion, because The shadow of the Erd tree Is Ring of FireThe only add-on to the game and bears the burden of saying goodbye to one of the most essential matches of our time.
Some expressed frustration with the consequences or lack thereof. The shadow of the Erd tree. Many expected that the base game characters would return in some way, react to the events of the expansion, or simply play a larger role in it, especially those who have close ties to Miquellamain character DLC. The lack of consistency and the lack of up-to-date dialogues that could support the player better understand the story were a sore point for those craving a bit of Ring of FireA huge, sometimes incomprehensible story.
There is a group of people who are particularly disappointed with the final cutscene of the DLC, feeling that it does little to capture the experience that preceded it. This feeling likely stems from the fact that The shadow of the Erd tree ends with massive fight. I say how, huge a pain in the ass that is even set against the player with crazy hitboxesseemingly unavoidable attacks and the kinds of long combos that Ring of Fire became infamous for doubling the stakes. Once you defeat this absolute final boss unit, it is cut scene which can be launched, and many fans of the game are not satisfied with its brevity and lack hurricanefor lack of a better word.
Spoilers for The shadow of the Erd tree the ending follows.
For many, this is the ending Ring of FireThe saga feels more like a whimper than a triumphant roar. The scene is plain enough (or as clear as FromSoftware esotericism can be) and that seems to be the source of the tension. Miquella, the quintessential character of the entire expansion, makes her first appearance and effectively doubles down on her goal, or at least repeats it. There’s no pomp about it. Miquella kneels through the entire scene, which takes place in a vacuum except for the nearby Elden Lord throne, and it’s over before you know it. She gives away no significant up-to-date insights.
I won’t lie: it’s does kinda sucks. I actually understand the contingent that expected something more from the end of this DLC. Ring of Fire is an epic, and if this is the end of it, yeah, it’s not exactly what I expected. But while some are fixated on the low nature of the ending, others are pissed off because it feels like it adds little to the story, or at least to their understanding of it all.
Ring of Firelike most FromSoftware works, it’s fascinating to digest and think about. I love people who sniff out bits of lore and offer theories about character motivations and the larger intrigues of the world. I, too, fell asleep during many of Vaatividya’s films, which strung together bits of object descriptions into a coherent and deeply tragic narrative. But this practice also bred a kind of fan who demands “True” of these games. People who to expect response to their investigation and investment. In my humble opinion, these people are playing these games—and engaging with the art—in a reductive way that only gets in the way of their enjoyment.
Read more: Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree’s Story Explained
The absolute truth about these games is that supposed to get past you, you morons. Whatever absolute meaning you try to squeeze out of them defeats the entire purpose of FromSoft’s preferred method of storytelling. If Miyazaki wanted players to know everything about the game, he and his team could have simply written it out for you in a game wealthy with endless dialogue, exposition, and scenes pontificating about every little detail. The fact that these games never fit that mold should make it obvious to all of you: there is no truth waiting for you at the center Ring of Fire or its expansion.
Disgruntled players who can’t believe it The shadow of the Erd tree would end in such an abrupt and laconic way, they sincerely hope that there is some secret ending that can be discovered. Although Ring of Fire didn’t have any secrets, but did feature multiple endings, depending on what quests you completed and what force/faction you ultimately allied yourself with. The shadow of the Erd tree there is no such framework, and Miyazaki has openly stated that the expansion will have no impact on the endings already included in the game. That hasn’t stopped a few people from praying that those claims turn out to be nothing more than a misleading lead.
I discover how little I understand Ring of Fire be a fucking joy, y’all. When I come back to this, I love trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Some fit, some don’t. Some can Never click and that’s fine. I can master the game mechanics and I take half of these bosses for a walk in their sleepbut here it is something that I will probably never understand all of its secrets, including Miquella’s motivations for abandoning the Lands Between and seeking divinity, or whatever it is that warps humans. I will never stop exploring the larger-than-life cast Ring of Fire and that keeps the thrill going. I don’t have to know everything about Ring of Fire know that I love it and love being involved in it. Believe it or not, that’s enough.
