Helldivers 2 Devs Weigh in on Elden Ring DLC's Challenges

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: A Controversial Masterpiece?

The release of Elden Ring's highly anticipated expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, sparked a heated debate online. Many players, both seasoned veterans and newcomers, voiced concerns about its extreme difficulty, particularly regarding the new bosses. This prompted a noteworthy comment from Johan Pilestedt, CCO of Arrowhead Game Studios (developers of Helldivers 2).

Pilestedt, also the creative director of Helldivers 2, publicly agreed with streamer Rurikhan's assertion that FromSoftware deliberately designs challenging bosses to maximize player engagement. He emphasized that effective game design prioritizes evoking strong emotional responses over universal accessibility. Addressing concerns about alienating players, Pilestedt famously stated, "a game for everyone is a game for no one," underscoring FromSoftware's commitment to its core audience.

A Deliberate Design Choice?

Even before the DLC's launch, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki had cautioned players that Shadow of the Erdtree would present a significant challenge, even for experienced players. He explained that boss balancing assumed players had substantial progress in the base game. FromSoftware reportedly analyzed player feedback from the base game, identifying enjoyable and frustrating elements in boss encounters to inform the DLC's design.

The expansion introduced the Scadutree Blessing mechanic, boosting player damage and reducing incoming damage in the Land of Shadow. However, despite in-game explanations, many players seemed to overlook or disregard this feature, leading to Bandai Namco issuing reminders to utilize and upgrade Scadutree Blessing.

Critical Acclaim vs. Player Feedback:

While Shadow of the Erdtree achieved the highest rating for any video game DLC on OpenCritic, surpassing even The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine, Steam reviews reveal a more mixed reception. Negative reviews frequently cited both the challenging difficulty and the introduction of technical problems. This highlights the inherent tension between critical acclaim and player experience, particularly with a title known for its demanding gameplay.