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With rumored listings appearing recently and the longest development cycle of anyFromSoftwareDLC to date, the next addition to the world ofElden Ringcould be the most substantial offering from the studio to date. Despite the level of excitement surrounding it, however, the lack of actual official news regarding Shadow of the Erdtree has leftFromSoftwarefans reflecting on past expansions of the Soulslike genre.
Whether it flips an existing place or delves into completely new territory, Shadow of the Erdtree is likely to become an integral part ofElden Ringthat pushes the experience even further than the base game’s existing intensity. TheDLCs of FromSoftware’s libraryare generally seen as some of the most memorable and identifiable parts of their respective games, meaning Shadow of the Erdtree has a relatively high bar to live up to comparing the developer’s previous efforts.
This list looks at the seven DLCs as part of theSoulsseries andBloodbornefrom FromSoftware’s catalog.
S Tier
The Old Hunters (Bloodborne)
Widely considered to be some of the bestBloodbornehas to offer, this DLC provides a level of challenge and narrative significance that helped to define the PS4 era. Through some of the most intense encounters the infamously aggressive game has to offer in the form of bosses likeLudwig the Accursed and the Orphan of Kos, The Old Hunters takes the disturbing and eldritch themes ofBloodborneway further than most of the base game.
The Ringed City (Dark Souls 3)
Enemies like brutal Ringed Knights and an epic battle with the dragon Darkeater Midir make the Ringed City a key part of what is currently the conclusion of the entireSoulssaga. The conclusion that sees the player facing Slave Knight Gael feels like a homage to everything before that moment, with some of the bleakest atmospheres that FromSoft has ever created.
A Tier
Artorias of the Abyss (Dark Souls)
As the first expansion in what has become FromSoft’s signature style of post-game content, this set of areas is hard to separate from the identity of the originalDark Souls. There are some growing pains evident in retrospect whenlooking back at Artorias of the Abyssin comparison to what would eventually follow, but the popular status of the titular character cements this DLC as an important part of the Soulslike genre’s development.
Crown of the Old Iron King (Dark Souls 2)
The secondDark Soulshas had a mixed reputation ever since its release, but the second entry in the game’s Lost Crowns Trilogy has a couple of the series’ more beloved boss battles. Between the bleak and artistic nature of the Fume Knight encounter within Brume Tower, and the honorable, emotional feeling of the fight with Sir Alonne, the pursuit of this crown can be the most rewarding for players who enjoy the quality of such one-on-one duels.
Ashes of Ariandel (Dark Souls 3)
FromSoft’s Painted World of Ariandelmay be one of the best snowy zones of theSoulsgames, but it still suffers from a lack of originality in several key ways. The dramatic, multi-stage boss battle with Father Ariandel and Sister Friede at the end of this expansion truly defines it though, possibly making up for all of its previous shortcomings.
B Tier
Crown of the Ivory King (Dark Souls 2)
While it’s undeniable that the encounter with theBurnt Ivory King in the Old Chaosis one of the most iconic of the entire FromSoft library in the eyes of many fans, the overall DLC that this boss is attached to isn’t necessarily of the same overall caliber. The Frozen Eleum Loyce, and especially Frigid Outskirts zones are some of the most controversial and maligned segments of theSoulsexperiences.
Crown of the Sunken King (Dark Souls 2)
Set beneath the depths of Black Gulch in a lost city with rich inspiration, the concept of this expansion wasn’t necessarily executed in the most memorable fashion. It centers around a battle with a massive dragon that the base game didn’t quite manage to feature, making the addition of Shulva and further areas an important part ofDark Souls 2for many players.
Elden Ring
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ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
