IntroductionThe highly anticipatedDLC “Shadow of the Erdtree “for Elden Ring made waves when it was released. While the press reacted mostly positively, the gaming community on Steam was highly critical. But what exactly is causing this dissatisfaction? We get to the bottom of the main points of criticism and take a detailed look at the controversies surrounding the new Elden Ring adventure
The level of difficulty – too much of a challenge?
Challenging or excessive?FromSoftware’s games are known for their high level of difficulty, but “Shadow of the Erdtree” seems to push even hardened fans to their limits. Numerous players are complaining that the new bosses are not only challenging, but simply frustrating. It is often reported that the aggressive attack patterns of the enemies leave little time for counterattacks, which leads to a one-sided and tiring gaming experience
The problem with the Scadubaum fragmentsAnother point of criticism concerns the new Scadubaum fragments. Many players feel compelled to use these new elements in order to have any chance at all. As a result, the traditional level system loses importance and the feel of the game changes dramatically. One player describes it aptly: “It feels like the classic progression system has been made redundant. “
Frustration instead of joyFor many players who appreciate Elden Ring for its fair, albeit tough challenges, this development is a step backwards. The fun of exploring and defeating enemies is giving way to frustration over seemingly unfair game mechanics. This is reflected in the numerous negative reviews, which only give the DLC a “balanced” overall rating on Steam.
Criticism from the communityThe reviews repeatedly emphasize that although the DLC offers new, interesting content, the difficulty level leads to an unpleasant gaming experience. This is in stark contrast to the main game, which was perceived as fair and rewarding despite its difficulty. Many long-time fans are expressing their disappointment and hope for future adjustments to make the gaming experience more balanced again.
Performance issues and technical difficulties
Familiar problemsIn addition to the high level of difficulty, “Shadow of the Erdtree” also suffers from technical problems that were already present in the main game. Micro-jerks, FPS drops and long loading times significantly spoil the gaming experience. This is particularly annoying in the already challenging boss battles, where every second counts.
Performance in focusPlayers report that even powerful PCs have difficulties displaying the DLC smoothly. The frame rate often collapses, leading to unnecessary deaths in critical situations. These technical shortcomings are another reason for many players to give the DLC a poor rating. One user puts it in a nutshell: “The performance problems make the game unplayable. “
Modding and compatibility issuesAnother annoyance concerns the popular Seamless Coop mod, which is currently not compatible with the new DLC. Many players who have previously enjoyed Elden Ring extensively in co-op mode will now have to wait for an update. This delay is causing additional resentment within the community
Regional differencesInterestingly, satisfaction with the DLC varies greatly depending on the region. English players are predominantly positive, while the ratings from the Chinese region are predominantly negative. This suggests that cultural differences and expectations could play a role in how the game is perceived.
