Summary
Hype forElden Ring’s long-awaitedShadow of the ErdtreeDLC is reaching an all-time high following its recent gameplay trailer and the announcement of its release date. While a number of iconic and beloved elements fromElden Ring’s base game will likely reappearin the expansion, one long-running FromSoftware trend will also be rearing its head, teeing up an inevitable flood of meta references and jokes.
Anyone who has been playing FromSoftware games for a few years is all too familiar with the studio’s affection for poison swamp areas. They appear at least once in every game the studio has released postDemon’s Souls, and while some of these areas, such asElden Ring’s own Lake of Rot, aren’t technically “poison” swamps, they all serve mostly the same purpose. These areas have long been the bane of many FromSoftware fans, and with Hidetaka Miyazaki officially confirming thatShadow of the Erdtreewill feature a poison swamp of its own,Elden Ringplayers should prepare for a flurry of jokes and cheeky references regarding the enduring design trend.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Poison Swamp Will Probably Be Meta
How Shadow of the Erdtree’s Poison Swamp Could Be Different
Miyazaki confirmed thatShadow of the Erdtreewill feature a dangerous swampin a recent interview with Eurogamer, but the legendary developer also suggested that this swamp may be slightly different from the others: “[developing the swamp] was a little place of introspection and reflection for me. So maybe, when players reach the poisoned swamp in the DLC, they will feel a little bit of this retrospection.” This comment from theEurogamerinterview seems to reflect an awareness of both how these swamps are perceived by players and how much Miyazaki himself enjoys designing these much-maligned zones.
How exactly this “introspection and reflection” will affect the final product is unclear, but perhaps it will lead to a new take on the poison swamp formula. It’s conceivable thatFromSoftware’s long history with poison swampsmay be referenced in-game somehow, maybe through an item description or line of dialog, or maybe the status effect that it imparts on players will have some deeper meaning. Miyazaki is clearly aware of how players feel about these areas, so maybe the DLC will play a bit of a prank on players, featuring a swamp that is either comically small or otherwise ineffectual.
“[developing the swamp] was a little place of introspection and reflection for me. So maybe, when players reach the poisoned swamp in the DLC, they will feel a little bit of this retrospection.”
The Poison Swamp in Shadow of the Erdtree Is Destined To Be Meme Fodder
Even if the expansion’s poison swamp area is mostly standard or unremarkable, there will no doubt be a whirlwind of players rushing to make jokes about it.UnforgettableElden Ringmemeshave been born from the game’s note-leaving mechanic, and one or more long-running jokes could be inspired by this new poison swamp, as players will surely leave funny or disparaging messages in the area. On top of these in-game notes,Elden Ringplayers can almost certainly expect a good deal of online discussion to emerge regarding this part of the DLC, with ideas like ironic poison swamp tier lists and tongue-in-cheek critiques seeming like easy comedic opportunities.
Poison swamps in FromSoftware games are somewhat interesting. Many players genuinely detest them, yet they are so ingrained in the culture of the studio and the Soulslike genre that they are regarded with an almost fond familiarity. While it might not be what intrigues mostElden Ringfans when it comes toShadow of the Erdtree’s many mysteries, there is certainly a sort of anticipation surrounding the new poison swamp, and this anticipation will likely make exploring it a unique and, as Miyazaki says, retrospective experience.
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.
