FromSoftware's latest RPG Elden Ring has broken records, collected an impressive number of rave reviews, and proved immensely popular with players. Elden Ring's mix of challenging combat, visuals, and mysterious in-game lore has proved a perfect mix for fans, with many feeling it took the classic aspects of FromSoftware titles and improved upon them to provide something fresh. Its open world-design was innovative, and its captivating story has already spawned many complex theories.
Even though Elden Ring is a massive game with lots to keep players occupied, many are looking forward to the next bout of Elden Ring content. Some have speculated that clues to what potential DLC will include are already sprinkled around the Lands Between, but FromSoftware is yet to confirm whether Elden Ring will receive significant post-launch expansions. Even though questions still linger around Elden Ring's potential DLC, many fans think there is a lot to explore, as well as intriguing plot threads that expansions could pick up on.
Why Elden Ring Deserves DLC
Elden Ring has been out for several months, and has solidified its position as one of 2022's most successful titles. Like many FromSoftware games, Elden Ring has inspired a dedicated fanbase to develop cosplay, art, and many theories regarding the game's lore. Despite the fervor surrounding this title, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have been tight-lipped about additional content and expansions, with no confirmation of DLC coming since launch. Yet it's clear there's a big demand for Elden Ring DLC, with some players pledging to fight Malenia every other day until DLC is announced.
FromSoftware games are famously dense with lore and storytelling, even if most of it is environmental or buried in item descriptions. Series like Dark Souls and standalone titles like Bloodborne or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have incredibly complex narratives and fascinating lore that might take several playthroughs to get to the bottom of. This usually means the games offer multiple avenues for DLC, giving intriguing plot points that the base games tease a chance to be fully explore. Elden Ring is no different, with a healthy amount of questions still lingering after the credits roll.
Some may argue that there's a lot to keep players busy in the Lands Between without adding DLC thanks to its vast map and secrets. With all the attention dedicated to creating the world, story, and characters of Elden Ring, there's much more the game has to offer. Yasuo Miyakawa, CEO of Bandai Namco, said they "will continue [their] efforts in expanding the brand beyond the game itself," suggesting Elden Ring will continue in one form or other.
Previous FromSoftware Expansions
FromSoftware has a track record of adding meaningful and complex DLC for games like Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. The story-based expansions may not have revolutionized mechanics or refreshed the base systems, but the additional content they've added in terms of plot has been memorable. DLCs have typically been substantial, providing players with new content that has been met with as much critical acclaim as their respective titles.
Dark Souls 3's Ashes of Ariandel, which featured an epic boss fight with Sister Friede and Father Ariandel; or Bloodborne's The Old Hunters, which had some of the most impressive level design in the entire game; show how DLC should be done. These not only include new areas to navigate, new characters to encounter, and suitably ambitious boss fights, but also additional lore to be explored.
What Possible Elden Ring DLC Could Cover
There's a staggering amount of lore featured in Elden Ring, and players will no doubt have a hard time trying to single out what DLC could focus on. Beyond story content, Elden Ring's DLC could add elements of PvP, with players battling it out like in the Undead Matches of Dark Souls 3. The Colosseum-like structures found in Limgrave, Caelid and Leyndell could provide a great battleground for these encounters. PvE could also feature more prominently in Elden Ring DLC, expanding on the Legacy Dungeons much like Bloodborne's Chalice Dungeons. With Elden Ring's various improvements on previous FromSoftare titles, using inspiration from older games and tweaking them could work well.
Elden Ring alludes to many important plot points that happened prior to the events of the main game, and with some previous FromSoftware DLC expansions dealing with time travel, this could be a great opportunity for players to experience these events for themselves. There are more than a few plot threads that fans would love to see play out in potential DLC, and other Elden Ring continents are mentioned throughout the game that could be the location for DLC or a sequel.
Players will no doubt want to see the fallout of their decision regarding whether to become the Elden Lord at the end of the game, as well as the fate of characters like Melina who had been so instrumental to the plot. Diving deeper into the Elden Ring itself would also provide some intriguing insights into the powers that helped shape the Lands Between, but players will have to wait and see what any potential DLC has in store.
Elden Ring is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.