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 2and $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.
FromSoftware describes Shadow of the Erdtreeas 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.