Rise once again Tarnished, answer the call of the kindly Miquella and follow his pilgrimage through the lands of shadow. Journey across a new land filled with beautiful and grotesque landmarks to behold. Discover a new cast of characters to introduce yourself to and follow their journeys. Not only that, uncover an arsenal of new weaponry and magic to wield and unleash upon your foes. Remember one important thing, when you get to the Shadow Realm, you are going to die. A lot. Shadow of the Erdtree is the newly released DLC of FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed 2022 title Elden Ring. It is a huge expansion on top of the base game taking place solely within the impressively massive Shadow Realm, where you once again step into the shoes of the Tarnished as they answer the call of Miquella.

The content can be accessed once you defeat Mohg in the base game (I highly recommend using a guide for this if you’ve forgotten how to access his arena as a returning player). From there you are teleported into a dark cave in total silence and as you make your way outside you are greeted by an absolutely stunning skybox. A gigantic golden tree looms in the distance, draped in cloth-like shadow, the world washed with different shades of gold and black and a score rises alongside as the reveal happens, the opening minute sets the tone and easily reminds you why you fell in love with this game two years ago.

The world of Elden Ring has never been so scary in scope

The map is massive, with more verticality in the placement of locations, layering them above and below the player. It is so easy to get lost in this world and I don’t mean in the sense of wandering with no direction. You can fall deep into the beauty and horror of the lands you travel. The world is littered with landmarks in the distance and just travelling over to them will start a Rube Goldberg machine of events taking you off the beaten path and on an adventure. The sense of discovery in this game feels so natural. You will find secret areas, items, bosses and accomplishments that feel like you have earned them with no guidance, just your own intuition. You made this discovery possible by just having a nosey around the sides of a cliff or behind a waterfall.

I’ve found myself re-assigning my levels constantly during my playthrough. This is mostly due to the new arrangement of weapons available (shoutout to the ‘DryLeaf Arts’ martial arts weapon). Each one provides its own unique style of play and has been tremendously fun to play around with so far. I highly recommend you use a save file with most of the base game explored. At the very least grab the bell bearings to easily have access to buy all purchasable smithing stones back at the Roundtable from the Bell Maidens so you can hastily upgrade the new weapons as you acquire them and jump back into the DLC to try them out. Weapons are great but what you use them on is what’s important. Shadow of the Erdtree has a plethora of new enemies and bosses for the Tarnished to run at.

Some of these new foes are returning from the base game but the new additions will leave you either in awe as you see them approach or shout out in fear when you see them charging you down. FromSoftware’s approach to balancing this DLC was the introduction of ‘Scadutree Fragments and Revered Ashes’.

Beware the shadow of the Erdtree

Fragments will increase your attack and defence while ashes strengthen your summons. These only apply inside the DLC, and they do not affect stats when you return to the base game. I cannot stress this enough you need to collect these things! I entered at level 215 and I was being killed in either two or three hits by regular enemies. The difference these upgrades make is night and day. A number of them can be found by exploring the opening area of the DLC.

Shadow of the Erdtree is a beautiful expansion on an already beautiful game. I’ve not finished the DLC as of writing this and most of that is because I just can’t stop running off in the opposite direction of the main path looking for stuff to discover. It’s big, bold, brutal and beautiful. My only gripe is the game has great difficulty keeping a playable framerate in some areas. I had to stop using one of my weapon arts during an encounter due to the game chugging so much.

These are things that get ironed out down the line in a patch hopefully. I really enjoyed my time and once I regained my muscle memory of the controls and familiarised myself with my build again, I left like I was catching up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. Just picking back up where we left off like no time had passed at all. FromSoftware has created a magical world again. They could easily be looking at even more awards for Elden Ring due to their hard work and craft.

These words were written in blood by the Tarnished Lewis Magee.

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A new land to conquer, a new land to fear

Entering the Shadow of the Erdtree looks genuinely terrifying. New beasts, new abominations and an awakened Miquella. That’s right folks, the brother of Malenia, possibly the most powerful being in all of The Lands Between.

“The Land of Shadow.
A place obscured by the Erdtree.
Where the goddess Marika first set foot.
A land purged in an unsung battle.
Set ablaze by Messmer’s flame.
It was to this land that Miquella departed.
Divesting himself of his flesh, his strength, his lineage.
Of all things Golden.
And now Miquella awaits
the return of his promised Lord”

The first look at the expansion comes two years after ELDEN RING — the world created by FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin, author of the masterpiece fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire” — released to broad critical acclaim, having won numerous prestigious awards around the world, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022, Golden Joystick Award 2022, 26th D.I.C.E. Awards, and the 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards, and many other distinctions.

In ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree players will step into the Land of Shadow to explore a new adventure full of mysteries and danger, to confront threatening bosses with new weapons and armour. Follow in the footsteps of Miquella and unravel the dark side of the ELDEN RING story.

ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are now available for all platforms, including special bundles that include the base game, which is required to play the expansion.

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PvP Colosseums – The Colosseum doors open for the first time to reveal a new challenge, unlocking three new arenas. The three arenas are located in Limgrave, Caelid and Leyndell respectively. Also each arena comes with its own sets of rules and will be theatres of fierce Player versus Player confrontations.

The Limgrave Colosseum features two modes: United Combat and Combat Ordeal.

• In United Combat, combatants will be divided into two teams to fight in timed battles with the ability to respawn. Each death and respawn grants points to the adversaries, offering victory to the team with the higher score.
• In Combat Ordeal, it’s every Tarnished for themselves. Combatants in this mode can also respawn until the timer hits zero, and the one with the most points will prevail as victor.

The Royal Colosseum, located in Leyndell, features Duel Mode. Two Tarnished face off in a duel to the death, without the ability to respawn.

The Caelid Colosseum features all aforementioned modes with the addition of being able to summon Spirit Ashes to fight by players’ sides.

Join the fight on your own or use group passwords to match up with or against friends and prove your worth in the Colosseums.

Cosmetics – Five new hairstyles also await players returning to their adventure in ELDEN RING. Maybe you want to look spiffy taking on the new challenges in the Colosseums.

With the opportunity now to battle within the Colosseum, ELDEN RING will likely bring back its player base. After all, I think we were all chomping at the bit to find out what was behind those doors as we traversed The Lands Between.

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Transported to ages long ago, you will relive the Shattering, a war that brought darkness to the Lands Between, initiated by demigods’ hunger for power. You’ll fight alongside General Radahn and Malenia the Severed, but even these two undefeatable warriors couldn’t reunite a world so badly broken. There is only one hope left: the hope that a new Elden Lord will rise and lift the veil of shadows that have fallen over Marika’s domain.

The wait is almost over. Soon you’ll venture into the Lands Between and strive to become its Elden Lord. Stand ready, Tarnished, and prepare to claim what fate has promised you.

Click to view slideshow.

Elden Ring is available for pre-order now and will launch on February 25th, 2022, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM.

The game offers a free Upgrade to PS5 for players who purchase the PS4 version and supports Smart Delivery for Xbox, allowing players to play on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S with a single purchase.

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From what the preview video shows there is a lot to be excited and scared about when it comes to Elden Ring. This “Tarnished World” as they call it is one of incredible danger and I love it. After playing Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice I cannot wait to fall into this new and monstrous world atop my mighty spectral steed.

• Vast world design – the meticulously designed ”Lands Between” brings unprecedented immersion to FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Secrets hide around every corner of this immense world encouraging exploration for those who dare venture off the beaten path.
• Legacy Dungeons – Large multi-level dungeons evoking classic FromSoftware level design are integrated into the overworld.

Players can also get excited with the announcement of the special editions.

Launch Edition

• Elden Ring game (disc on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Xbox One, and PC Steam code-in-box)
• Poster
• Art Cards, Stickers and Woven patch

Digital Deluxe Edition (Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and STEAM digital storefronts)

• Elden Ring game
• Digital Artbook and Original Soundtrack

Collector’s Edition (Available at selected retailers)

• Elden Ring game (disc on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Xbox One, and PC Steam code-in-box)

• 23cm statue of Malenia – Blade of Miquella
• Exclusive SteelBook featuring the Elden Ring
• 40-page hardback artbook
• Digital Soundtrack
• Poster, Art Cards, Stickers and Woven patch, which are included in the Launch Edition – exclusive to EMEA

If these beauties weren’t enough there is the exclusive premium collector’s edition. It is available on the Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe Store and has so many god damn goodies available.

• Elden Ring game (disc on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Xbox One, and PC Steam code-in-box)
• 23cm statue of Malenia – Blade of Miquella
• Official 1:1 Malenia helmet replica
• Exclusive SteelBook featuring the Elden Ring
• 40-page hardback artbook
• Digital Soundtrack
• Poster, Art Cards, Stickers and Woven patch, which are included in the Launch Edition – exclusive to EMEA

Elden Ring will be out on the 25th of February, 2022. It’ll be available on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC via STEAM.

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Supernatural scares

Supermassive Games is laying down the groundwork. The first in a series of games titled “The Dark Pictures”. Man of Medan is the first entry into this new drama horror IP. The main protagonist is Conrad, who is played by known actor Shawn Ashmore. Best known for his role in Quantum Break (love this game, even the OTT cutscenes) and as Iceman in X-Men 2 (Not the best superhero movie, but at least it isn’t Fantastic 4).

The game will let you experience the story of a group of people on vacation. They come across a ghost ship, captain (not sparrow) included. Similar to until dawn, your decisions will shape the story. I bet they have some weird death scenes up their virtual sleeve. Generally I do not play horror games. BUT this sounds goofy enough for me to man up when it is released on the 30th of August for PC, Xbox and PS4.

Kamehame-hope it’s good

Who hasn’t dreamed of reliving the story of Dragon Ball Z for the 1001st time? Well, it may night be a story of Arabian nights like Arabian days, more often than not, much hotter than hot, in a lot of good ways. Developer CyberConnect2 is facing the Broly sized task of retelling the story of Akira Toriyama and outdoing the anime feeling of Dragon Ball Fighter Z.

In this action adventure we will play as Goku. Live his life, while fighting our way up the ranks. We will prove we have the eye of the tiger (or alien weremonkey) and are the king of the fight, rising up to the challenge of our rival. I for one am looking very much forward to it, even if it is a swimming on 7s title, when the game releases on PC, X-Box and PS4 sometime in the not so distant future.

What else is Bandai Namco Entertainment bringing?

Although I already am wearing the one ring to rule a mans life, I wouldn’t mind to put on the Elden Ring. The next entry in the growing list of From Software titles that was influenced by George R. R. Martin. Does the R. R. stand for randy old r-rated? With Sekiro improving upon Bloodbornes fighting system, I cannot wait to see how they will outdo themselves. Maybe take inspiration of The Surge 2 and allow the player to target specific parts of the body?

Another souls-like title is Code Vein. From the recent footage and what I about the network test, this ANIME INSPIRED game will not live up to what its own ambition. Who are they trying to kid, this is anime game. Stop saying it is not or that you aren’t going for this look!

Also One Piece Pirate Warrior 4, One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, Rad and Disney Tsum Tsum Festival will be shown at Gamescom 2019. Overall Bandai Namco are bringing a huge line up, but if it is just quantity or quality will be decided at the end of August.

Click to view slideshow.

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 Niall – Breath of the Wild Sequel

My favourite game of all time is Majora’s Mask. Building off of the far more popular Ocarina of Time Majora went in a completely different direction. Where Ocarina focused on jolly adventuring Majora went for apocalyptic nightmare fuel and melancholy.  With that in mind, the trailer for the newest Zelda shows a much darker and creepier tone than it’s predecessor, as Link and Zelda dabble in grave-robbing.

As Brendan Fraser would tell you this ends poorly as an ancient mummy (Ganon?) comes to life and starts to magically elevate Hyrule Castle. I don’t want to sound prejudiced but I doubt this dead dude has benevolent intentions.

My love of the Zelda series has always stemmed from how unafraid it is to get weird and shake things up so I hope this title has plenty of those surprises up its sleeve. The giant buffalo, discordant hell music and Zelda’s sweet new hairdo are enough to make this my new most anticipated game. Give me my main man Tingle and this will be the best game of all time.

Graham – Final Fantasy VII Remake

I mean come on guys it’s obviously Final Fantasy VII Remake. The fact that Cloud and the gang are coming back made me feel quite emotional. Seeing those iconic moments reimagined at this years E3 was absolutely fantastic.

What got me were the little touches:

• The fact that you can see the materia (and it’s colour) within the slot on Cloud’s Buster Sword as well as Barrett’s gun arm.
• Tifa’s new design and her amazing stylised fighting abilities.
• The expansion of the motorbike section with Avalanche.
• The improved boss battles which look incredibly cinematic.

As well as the iconic moments there were a few times where the story seems to have evolved. The most significant element was the interaction between Cloud and Sephiroth. This moment did not happen in the original but it is a welcome change.

The battle system looks promising, the score is suitably epic, and the character designs pop. As a great man loved to exclaim, “Nuff said!”

Dave – Elden Ring

A few weeks ago, the existence of a new Fromsoftware game was confirmed. We heard two things, they were working on an open world Norse mythology-inspired game and George R. R. Martin was helping to create the story. Do we even need more incentive than that? At E3 we learned its name; Elden Ring. The Xbox conference gave us a cinematic trailer much in the vein of first trailers for previous Fromsoft games. It paints a picture of a dark and mystical world, full of Norse and Celtic inspiration.

Fromsoftware has a habit of creating their own takes on mythology and I expect this game to do just that. In press releases since then, Miyazaki himself has said that Elden Ring is the biggest game they have ever built, and it is a broader action RPG than any of their previous games.

Unconfirmed are the rumours that the game will include horse riding and travelling to different kingdoms, but those things are certainly in line with what we know to be true. Fromsoftware has become the kind of developer who has my money for life, and having the credibility of George R. R. Martin on board is just gravy. I cannot wait to know more about this game.

Brian – Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Shane f**kin Walsh. Frank f**kin Castle. And now, Cole D. F**kin Walker. When a digitized Jon Bernthal shows up on screen, you know things are about to kick off. When real life Jon Bernthal shows up, with his dog (Bam Bam), s**t just got real. Of all the keynotes and pressers at E3 2019, two will stand out in my memory. First, Keanu Reeves. Second, and more so than the first, Jon Bernthals appearance. We’ve all been Bernthal fans since The Walking Dead, and we delighted at his turn as Frank Castle in The Punisher. Now, as Cole D. Walker, a rogue Ghost agent in upcoming Tom Clancy game Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, Bernthal can get to grips with another multi-faceted tough guy. In Bernthal’s own words from E3:

…Cole D. Walker. A skilled, former special operations soldier, with his own sense of responsibility, and his own moral code… He loves his fellow soldiers, his brothers, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to complete his mission… We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the organisation, and remember; we trained alongside you…

While other media for Ghost Recon: Breakpoint serves to highlight mechanics, graphics, game-play etc., what Walkers introduction cinematic does, is give us context. It immerses us into this world. Walker and his “Wolves” aren’t “bad guys”; they’re actually us. The difference being, something changed for them. Some intangible motivation flicked over. While games in this genre rarely, if ever, question the morality of these black ops units, a character like this can highlight the murky grey area these soldiers actually inhabit. There have been two points in my life when I genuinely wanted the good guys to lose. First, Gen. Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris) in The Rock. The second, will be Cole D. F**kin Walker.

Steve – Everything but Microsoft

E3 2019 has come and gone. In my opinion it was Microsoft’s to win and they did not turn up at all. Some games I found interesting, but the “reveal” of their new console was the weakest I have ever seen. They were never able to keep me engaged and wanting to see more. Which I found most disappointing.

The biggest highlight to me is Keanu in Cyberpunk 2077. It is a fitting and cool move and he is just the best the human race has to offer. Hearing that his character will have the biggest side character questline has gotten me even more hyped. Now where can I get the collectors edition in Ireland?

An honourary mention goes out to the kickass old lady Helen of Watch Dogs Legion. Please Ubisoft let me fight the system with an army of high tech pensioners!

The race for best presentation was a hard fought race between Devolver, Square-Enix and Nintendo. Thanks to the big N’s (Nintendo) strong direct ending with a tease for the first ever direct sequel to a main line Zelda, in my opinion they beat out the competition. This tease has my Zelda fan heart throbbing. It is alluding to a potential for coop or even having Zelda as the hero. So many questions that I cannot wait to find the answers for. Overall, I feel this has been the weakest E3 in a good few years, but the highlights shine all the brighter.

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