Difficulty, that enduring mark of FromSoftware games, has once again reared its head in the newest Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. Even against common foes, players have stumbled, with seasoned veterans grappling as well. The mixed reviews on Steam serve as a testament to this struggle, painting a picture of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
Among the grievances aired are performance hiccups like stuttering and dropped frames, with Bandai Namco and FromSoftware maintaining a Sphinx-like silence on any forthcoming patches. Yet, a ray of hope emerges from the darkness as FromSoftware has stepped in to alleviate the spike in difficulty. The developer’s recent missive offers guidance on enhancing your prowess, specifically emphasizing the Protection of the Spirit Ashes and Protection of the Shadow Tree. Stockpiling Spirit Ash and Shadow Tree Fragments is the key to unlocking their potential.
The Land of Shadow within the DLC houses a hidden treasure that many have overlooked—the Scadutree Blessing. This ethereal boon allows players to both deal and mitigate damage more effectively, a fact briefly hinted at by Bandai Namco on X. To bolster this blessing, one must seek out and collect Scadutree Fragments, scattered liberally throughout Shadow of the Erdtree. Some lie in plain sight, waiting to be claimed, while others are a reward wrested from vanquished adversaries.
Director Hidetaka Miyazaki had forewarned adventurers of the challenges awaiting in Shadow of the Erdtree, likening its rigors to the scaling difficulty of Sekiro rather than Elden Ring itself. This new leveling system introduces a nuanced element—separate attack power distinct from traditional leveling. To ascend this celestial ladder, the acquisition of Scadutree Fragments becomes imperative, a quest that beckons players to rise to the occasion.
FromSoftware’s enduring design ethos has always prized challenge, viewing the lush tapestry of trials and triumphs as the soul of their creations. Elden Ring, while more open and forgiving, still offers opponents that test one’s mettle. Thus, the demands of Shadow of the Erdtree are deemed in line with the studio’s legacy, a valiant tribute to the trials that await. After all, a FromSoftware journey bereft of adversity would be a tale half-told, bereft of the crucible that tempers heroes.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Miyazaki articulated the studio’s conviction, underscoring the intrinsic connection between difficulty and delight. To dilute the challenge, he mused, would be to sever the very sinew that gives the game its pulse, a fate worse than defeat. In essence, the essence of a FromSoftware adventure lies in undulating peaks and valleys, a symphony of struggle and salvation that echoes through the annals of gaming.
Thus, to engage with a new FromSoftware release whilst shunning frustration is to miss the very heart of the experience. In their realm, tribulation is the crucible that forges heroes, a testament to the indomitable spirit that propels us ever forward. Embrace the hardship as a fireside companion, and only then shall the true essence of the tale unfurl.
