Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Gets Official Release Date and New Gameplay Trailer

FromSoftware has finally lifted the veil on its much-anticipated DLC for Elden Ring. Titled “Shadow of the Erdtree,” the expansion is set to launch on June 21, 2024, for all major platforms. A new gameplay trailer accompanies the announcement, revealing new environments, terrifying bosses, and ominous lore that promises to expand the Lands Between in bold and brutal new directions.

The trailer, which runs just over three minutes, hints at a new realm shrouded in mystery and corrupted beauty. Players will reportedly follow in the footsteps of Miquella, a character intimately tied to Elden Ring’s dense mythology. Visuals suggest expansive new zones filled with warped flora, crumbling cathedrals, and otherworldly enemies — some rivaling the scale and menace of Malenia and Radahn.

True to FromSoftware’s signature style, the trailer is light on exposition but heavy on atmosphere and dread. Fans have already begun poring over every frame for hidden lore and new gameplay mechanics. A few quick glimpses showcased what appears to be new weapon classes, including a chained whip weapon and a flame-based incantation that conjures spectral beasts.

Miyazaki, the game’s director, revealed in a press release that this expansion is their “most ambitious yet.” While keeping specifics under wraps, he noted that Shadow of the Erdtree will be a “sizable journey” that revisits thematic elements of “yearning, sacrifice, and decay.”

The community response has been predictably electric. Elden Ring, which won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022 and has sold over 20 million copies, has maintained a devoted player base hungry for fresh content. With only four months until release, fans will now begin prepping their builds, brushing up on lore, and speculating wildly on where FromSoft’s dark odyssey will lead them next.

“Shadow of the Erdtree” releases on June 21, 2024, and will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-orders are live now, with various editions offering collectible bonuses for the most devoted Tarnished.