Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Gets Release Date, Massive Gameplay Reveal Drops

FromSoftware has finally lifted the veil on its long-awaited expansion to Elden Ring, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” unveiling a breathtaking new gameplay trailer — and more importantly, confirming a release date of June 21, 2024. The announcement came early this morning via a surprise drop on social media and the official Bandai Namco YouTube channel, instantly sparking a frenzy among fans and setting social platforms ablaze with speculation and excitement.

The nearly four-minute trailer teases a darker, more haunting tone than even the base game, with glimpses of ominous new regions, towering grotesque enemies, and glimpses of key characters who may be tied to Marika’s shadowy past. Notably, we catch sight of what appears to be Miquella — a key but unseen character from Elden Ring’s original narrative — now playing a central role in the forthcoming story. This could mark a significant expansion of the game’s deeply cryptic lore.

Gameplay-wise, “Shadow of the Erdtree” seems to push combat and traversal even further. The footage showcased new weapon types, strange mounts, and what looks like a refined magic system, sparking excitement among longtime players for new builds and playstyles. Interestingly, a few boss encounters highlighted in the trailer suggest even more vertical and multi-phase showdowns — something players of FromSoftware’s Soulsborne titles have come to both fear and love.

Fans had been eagerly awaiting any news on the expansion since its announcement over a year ago in early 2023. With no updates until now, the sudden reveal feels like a surge of fresh energy into the community. Preorders for the DLC are now live across all platforms, with various editions offering exclusive skins and in-game items.

As the June release date approaches, Elden Ring appears poised to reclaim the spotlight in the action RPG space. FromSoftware looks set to deliver another masterclass in dark fantasy, worldbuilding, and brutality. For now, players have a few more months to sharpen their blades — the Lands Between are about to get much darker.