Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” Gets June Release Date and New Gameplay Trailer

FromSoftware has at last broken its silence on the hotly anticipated Elden Ring expansion, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” revealing a June 21, 2024 release date and a jaw-dropping new gameplay trailer that has sent the Soulsborne community into a frenzy.

The surprise announcement came early Tuesday morning via Bandai Namco’s official channels, showcasing several minutes of fresh footage from the DLC. The trailer teases glimpses of a vast new realm draped in eerie golden twilight, filled with strange architecture, towering foes, and cryptic lore expansions that hint at a deeper connection to Miquella—a mysterious figure largely absent in the base game.

“Shadow of the Erdtree” is the first and only planned expansion for Elden Ring, the 2022 Game of the Year that cemented FromSoftware’s dominance in the action-RPG genre. The base game sold over 20 million copies worldwide, and fans have been clamoring for new content ever since the studio confirmed DLC was in development over a year ago.

While director Hidetaka Miyazaki is staying tight-lipped on story specifics, the trailer reveals new mechanics and weapon classes, along with several fresh boss encounters that look as punishing—and stunning—as ever. One highlight includes a towering, flame-wreathed behemoth that appears to emerge from a dying tree, delivering fatal strikes with molten grappling chains.

Players will access the new content through a portal hidden within the Lands Between, which FromSoftware says will be available to those who’ve achieved “significant progress” in the main game. The expansion promises to build upon Elden Ring’s open-world formula while introducing new dungeons, side quests, and a host of devastating weapon arts.

Preorders for the DLC are now live across all platforms, including special editions bundled with collectible art books and statues. Given the positive reception to today’s trailer, expectations are sky-high.

With just four months to go before launch, “Shadow of the Erdtree” is shaping up to be one of 2024’s most anticipated releases. For fans of Elden Ring and dark fantasy RPGs, the wait for a return to the Lands Between is nearly over.