If there’s one thing FromSoftware is known for (apart from giving players hell), it’s telling a good story. The studio’s games have always been chock full of lore, and Elden Ring continues to preserve this tradition, with its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion teasing more narrative beats in store.
A new trailer for the upcoming adventure fleshes out the backstory of Miquella, demon boss Malenia’s mysterious twin brother, offering a fresh look at an imposing new villain. “Miquella the kind spoke of the beginning,” opens the video. “The seduction, and the betrayal. What followed was a war.”
As the demigod attempts to create a Haligtree in hopes of curbing his sister’s Scarlet Rot, he crosses path with Messmer the Impaler and the “tranny of [his] flame” – the apparent cause of the great purge of the Land of the Shadow. The trailer ends with Miquella’s followers banding together and beckoning new warriors to join them in taking Messmer down.
This latest look aligns with game director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s confirmation to IGN that Shadow of the Erdtree is set to trace Miquella’s path and follow in his footsteps. Before its arrival, though, it’s safe to assume that lore enthusiasts will have a field time dissecting every piece of detail that has been unveiled.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree releases 21 June on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The “first and last” DLC will send players to an unexplored region called the Land of Shadow, introducing a host of new content that includes a separate progression system, eight new weapon categories, and more.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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