Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Garners Mixed Steam User Reviews Due to Performance and Difficulty Issues

by Arthur Herring
in Action, News, PC
on 22 June 2024

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, the highly anticipated DLC from FromSoftware, has received mixed reviews from Steam users. Despite being hailed as the best-reviewed game of 2024 and the highest-rated RPG DLC of all time, players have encountered significant problems in the Land of Shadow.

The open-world game, which has already sold over 20 million copies, has propelled FromSoftware’s formula into the mainstream. However, the expansion is not without its flaws.

Steam reviews for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC currently stand at 61% positive, a significant drop from its initial reception. While Elden Ring itself maintains an impressive 93% rating, the DLC is facing criticism in two main areas: performance and balancing.

One Steam user, ‘Flippikus,’ expressed frustration with the difficulty of the game, stating, “Even with a vigor of 60, almost every enemy can one-shot you. The Scadutree fragments, which are supposed to increase your damage and defense exclusively in the DLC, don’t offer much help and are mostly locked behind bosses.”

The negative reviews also highlight issues with boss fights, praising their visual design while criticizing the unbalanced gameplay. ‘Chanddy’ mentions, “The bosses in this DLC are visually stunning but their balance is completely off. The combos they execute are too long and complicated, making it difficult to find an opening to deal damage.”

Players have also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Shadow of the Erdtree. The game is locked at 60 frames per second, lacks ultrawide and DLSS support, and experiences micro-stuttering. While these issues can potentially be addressed in future updates, the expansion is currently perceived as being poorly optimized.

Steam user ‘Crowley42’ shares, “Despite having a rig that meets the recommended specs, I experience significant frame drops, especially during boss fights. This results in delayed inputs and getting hit unnecessarily.”

Our review of Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree was largely positive, rating the DLC 9/10 and stating that it delivers on what fans love about the main game.

If you are currently struggling with performance issues, our guide to the best Elden Ring settings can assist you. Additionally, our compilation of the most overpowered builds in Elden Ring can help you navigate the challenges of the Land of Shadow.

For daily PC games news, reviews, and guides, follow us on Google News or take advantage of our PCGN deals tracker to secure fantastic deals.

Additional relevant facts about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree that are not mentioned in the article include:

– “Elden Ring” is a collaboration between game director Hidetaka Miyazaki of FromSoftware and author George R.R. Martin, known for his work on “Game of Thrones.”
– The game features an expansive open world with a mix of dark fantasy and action RPG elements.
– Players can explore a variety of environments, encounter challenging enemies and bosses, and uncover a deep lore-filled story.
– “Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree” is a DLC expansion that adds new content to the base game.

Key questions, challenges, and controversies associated with the topic include:

1. Q: What are the main performance issues faced by players of the DLC?
– Some users have reported frame rate drops, micro-stuttering, and delayed inputs, particularly during boss fights.

2. Q: What are the main difficulties with the DLC’s balancing?
– Players have expressed frustration with the difficulty of the game, including enemies being able to one-shot the player character and bosses having long and complicated combos that make it hard to deal damage.

Advantages of “Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree”:

– Highly anticipated DLC with a large and dedicated fan base.
– Expands the gameplay of the original game with new content.
– Features visually stunning boss fights.
– Offers an open-world environment for exploration.

Disadvantages of “Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree”:

– Performance issues such as frame rate drops and micro-stuttering.
– Balancing issues with difficulty and boss fights.
– Lack of support for features like ultrawide and DLSS.
– Some players may find the DLC’s difficulty frustrating.