Summary
Ahead of the release ofElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, one of the more prominent hopes from fans was that the expansion would deliver meaningful updates to the already impressive and varied arsenal of the base game. Not only doesShadow of the Erdtreedeliver plenty of new weapons that quickly have become favorites in their respective weapon types, but it also introduces several new weapon categories not previously seen in either the base game ofElden Ringor in any other FromSoftware title, for that matter. So impressive and massive isElden Ring’s post-DLC arsenal that it begs the question of where the developer could go next.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC makes some important additions toElden Ring’s weapon roster that see even further sub-categories of existing weapon types being devised.Elden Ringnow has both standard and light greatswords, thrusting shields, great katanas, and other brand-new additions that see the game’s already sizable arsenal grow in terms of both its size and its diversity. But the growth ofElden Ring’s weapon roster leaves a very small window of opportunity for future expansion in FromSoftware titles. Instead, maybe it’s time for the next FromSoftware game to take a scaled-back approach similar toBloodborneorSekiro.
A Bloodborne-Style Approach Could Emphasize Quality Over Quantity
No one knows what FromSoftware’s next project will be, butcomments from Hidetaka Miyazakisuggest that he still has yet to craft his “ideal RPG”, meaning players could see a project even more ambitious thanElden Ringcoming from the studio at some point in the future. But within the FromSoftware catalog are plenty of other titles to use as a template for new experiences, including how the studio’s next game approaches one of the cornerstones of its games – buildcraft and character progression. In terms of FromSoftware titles that give players plenty of agency and freedom of expression while keeping the arsenal at a manageable size, there are few examples better thanBloodborne.
Bloodborne Trick Weapons are a Great Formula to Build On
Bloodborne’s Trick Weaponsand offhand armaments can be combined in plenty of creative ways to still afford players freedom of expression in their build and playstyle, but they do so at a much smaller scale than what one would find inElden Ring.Bloodbornehas fewer than 50 total weapons (not counting Hunter Tools), which pales in comparison toElden Ring’s hundreds of potential armaments. But whereBloodborneekes out a slight advantage overElden Ring’s arsenal is in each of the game’s weapons having viability with different playstyles and builds.Elden Ringhas more weapons and equipment than any other FromSoftware title, but most of them will sit in a player’s inventory unused after they find their favorites.
FromSoftware’s Next Title Could Take a Cue From Sekiro and Focus on a Singular Weapon
BeforeElden Ringcame along with its expansive open world and incredibly varied arsenal of equipment (allowing players unprecedented freedom in how they choose to approach encounters and navigate throughThe Lands Between), the studio released a game that many fans still consider to be its magnum opus:Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. If nothing else,Sekiroproved that FromSoftware could deliver a game with incredibly challenging and engaging combat that didn’t strictly adhere to the template established byDemon’s SoulsandDark Souls. Perhaps the next FromSoftware game doesn’t need to go bigger afterElden Ring, but instead intentionally scale things back to a singular focus on one weapon or combat style.
Why Elden Ring’s Successor May Be Another Creative Leap
In the interview conducted with Miyazaki afterBloodborne’s release (collected in Future Press’Bloodborneguide), the FromSoftware president noted that his approach to making games comes about from having a “virtual pendulum” in his mind, with each new title invariably swinging to the opposite approach of his previous work. Using this admission as a guideline, it’s not hard to imagine thatFromSoftware’s next gamewon’t try to outdoElden Ringin terms of its weapon selection, instead opting to take a different approach that still plays to the studio’s strengths.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
