The Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the award-winning game’s upcoming expansion, priced at $40/£35, is an evolution in FromSoftware’s approach to downloadable content in more ways than just how large it is.
Unlike previous DLCs from the developer, which were priced notably lower, Shadow of the Erdtree comes in at nearly the cost of a full game. For context, it’s the same price as Helldivers 2 and $10 more expensive than Palworld.
Naturally, this raised some alarm bells, with Twitter and Reddit discussing its relatively steep price tag. But unlike the recent discourse regarding the pricing of cosmetics and post-launch content, most seem to agree that FromSoftware has every right to sell Shadow of the Erdtree at its price point.
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FromSoftware describes Shadow of the Erdtree as its largest expansion, promising a rich addition to the Elden Ring universe. The developers have hinted at a map size rivaling that of the base game, featuring new bosses, environments, and narratives that deepen the lore of the Erdtree and its surroundings. The sheer volume of content, including a reported ten new bosses, including challenging fights similar to Malenia, and extensive new areas to explore, suggests that players are in for an experience that mirrors the depth and complexity of a standalone title.
The reaction from the Elden Ring community to the expansion’s price has been largely positive. The majority of the discussions online reflect a surprising understanding and appreciation of the value offered by the DLC. Many are expressing their willingness to invest in the expansion, citing FromSoftware’s track record of delivering quality content that often surpasses the original game.
Already, Shadow of the Erdtree is drawing comparisons other high-value expansions like War of the Chosen (XCOM 2) as well as Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt), among others.
While Shadow of the Erdtree‘s digital-only nature means players will need to download the expansion, it hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm for the release.
Ultimately, the audience’s positive reception to Shadow of the Erdtree and the similarly pricey Collector’s Edition is proof that gamers reward developers who have a history of doing them right.
Unfortunately, the sheer size of Shadow of the Erdtree might have taken a lot out of FromSoftware. It’s expected to be the last piece of Elden Ring content for a while.
