Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” Finally Gets Release Date and Trailer

After more than a year of cryptic teases and speculation, FromSoftware has finally pulled back the curtain on the highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC. “Shadow of the Erdtree,” the first major expansion for the 2022 Game of the Year, is officially set to release on June 21, 2024. Alongside the announcement, Bandai Namco dropped a stunning new trailer that has sent shockwaves through the Soulsborne community.

The three-minute cinematic trailer introduces players to the Land of Shadow, a dark and haunting new region steeped in mystery. FromSoftware fans were quick to identify key visual motifs connecting the DLC to Miquella, one of Elden Ring’s most enigmatic demigods, whose backstory was largely left untold in the base game. In the trailer, a golden-haired figure (presumed to be Miquella) appears to walk through a war-torn landscape, hinting at a deeply personal journey at the heart of the expansion.

Gameplay-wise, the DLC promises more of the brutal, high-stakes combat players have come to expect, along with never-before-seen weapons, magic, and boss encounters. The trailer showcases a sprawling new environment, including ethereal landscapes, desolate castles, and twisted dungeons that look even more intricate than anything in the base game — a tall order considering Elden Ring’s already massive open world.

In an accompanying press release, FromSoftware confirmed that “Shadow of the Erdtree” will not require players to start the game over, but they do recommend being “exceptionally well-prepared” for its challenges. That likely means facing off against foes tougher than some of the toughest in the Lands Between — a prospect that excites and terrifies fans in equal measure.

The DLC will also come in multiple editions, including a standard $39.99 version and a collector’s edition featuring a Miquella-themed statue and artbook. Pre-orders are now available across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

With “Shadow of the Erdtree,” FromSoftware seems poised to delve even deeper into Elden Ring’s richly crafted lore and punishing combat. Whether you’re a Tarnished eager for more or a masochist craving a fresh challenge, June can’t come soon enough.