Summary
There are certain things players have come to expect when playing a FromSoftware title; methodical combat, strategic character progression and builds, poison swamps. Much more than just a DLC for the award-winningElden Ring, theShadow of the Erdtreeexpansion feels like a full-circle moment for FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki, collecting elements from across the entire FromSoftware catalog into a single potent mix that delivers on all fronts. One area where Shadow of the Erdtree excels compared to other games in the developer’s catalog is its level design, and the Stone Coffin Fissure sees Miyazaki closing the loop on a theme nearly 15 years in the making.
Beginning with 2009’sDemon’s Souls, FromSoftware games have traditionally included at least one area that sees the character descending into a literal and thematic pit. In particular,Dark Soulsfeatures a veritable “who’s who” of descent-themed locations, with The Depths, Blighttown, The Great Hollow, and Tomb of Giants all leading the player on a downward trek into the unknown.Shadow of the Erdtree’s legacy dungeonsfeature several callbacks to previous highlights across the FromSoftware catalog, but the title effectively perfects the “descent into a pit” theme with the features and layout of the Stone Coffin Fissure.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Stone Coffin Fissure Eliminates the Frustration of Similar Levels
Like Dante’s legendary odyssey through the nine circles of Hell with the poet Virgil, FromSoftware’s forced descent into its various worlds' depths is often a transformative journey. Not only do these levels typically precede a major turning point of the games they appear in, but they also bring with them plenty of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome, whether it’s Blighttown’s poison swamps and toxic blowdart archers or the pitch-black darkness of the Tomb of Giants. Comparatively,Shadow of the Erdtree’s Stone Coffin Fissureis a breath of fresh air.
While the general structure of the area is highly reminiscent of theTomb of Giants, the ability to see without the aid of a special item is a welcome relief. The enhanced visibility allows the brilliance of the area’s design to take center stage while also making both combat and platforming much easier. To be sure, the enemies that litter Stone Coffin Fissure’s labyrinthine corridors are many and formidable, but not having to contend with bumping up against them or falling to an untimely death during combat makes the act of navigating the area a far more enjoyable experience.
The Putrescent Knight Boss Fight Caps Off One of Shadow of the Erdtree’s Best Areas
Compared to other FromSoftware areas that see the player descending into a pit, Stone Coffin Fissure features arguably the best boss fight to cap off proceedings. After venturing through the entirety of the Stone Coffin Fissue (including a harrowing section having to dodge a barrage of laser beams from stone caterpillars), players come to what seems like a dead end, forcing them to take a leap of faith into what appears to be a bottomless pit. Waiting for them at the bottom isthe Putrescent Knight, who is both one of the more challenging boss fights in Shadow of the Erdtree and a more mechanically satisfying fight than Quelaag, Nito, or any of the other bottom-dwelling FromSoftware bosses.
Like Orphan of Kos fromBloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC, the Putrescent Knight’s difficulty comes from his erratic move set, unpredictability, and aggression. It also doesn’t hurt that the Putrescent Knight’s arena, the Garden of Deep Purple, is both visually stunning and an important location in terms of furthering Shadow of the Erdtree’s main narrative. FromSoftware games will likely continue featuring poison swamps and plummeting depths (or some combination thereof), but the Stone Coffin Fissure has set a new bar for recurring themes in the studio’s level design.
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.
