Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Set for June 21st Release Date, Gameplay Trailer Reveals New Story, Map, Bosses

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the first major expansion for the acclaimed action role-playing game, has received a gameplay trailer detailing a new story, characters and a new map, as well as a release date. The DLC will launch on June 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X, with pre-orders for the game now live on all platforms. Shadow of the Erdtree, which will focus on the story of Miquella, Malenia’s brother, is FromSoftware’s biggest expansion to date and will task players with uncovering a new mystery.

The DLC will take place in the Land of Shadows, a new region that will take players beyond the lands in between. “Land of Shadows. A place hidden by Erdtree.
Where the goddess Marika first set foot. A land cleansed in unsung battle.
Fired by Mesmer’s flame. It was to this land that Michela went. Depriving himself of his flesh, his power, his origin. Of all things gold. And now Michela awaits the return of her promised Lord,” reads FromSoftware’s description.

The game’s three-minute trailer, while cryptic as ever, showcased plenty of new enemies, bosses, and the new setting, giving fans plenty of fodder to theorize about the central mystery. The trailer opens with Michela’s withered hand hanging from its cocoon. “Come now. Touch the withered hand and travel to the Shadow Realm,” the trailer says later, suggesting that the new Shadow Land region will be accessible by touching or holding Miquela’s hand.

The trailer also introduces a new villain, Messmer the Impaler, who appears to be the final boss of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Mesmer rules the Shadowland, which has been left in ruins by his flame. FromSoftware hasn’t revealed any details about the new character, but it probably won’t be long before fans dig into the trailer and find all the hidden clues.

Shadow of the Erdtree will feature a brand new story taking players on a new adventure through the Land of Shadows. “Guided by the Empyrean Miquella, players are invited to the Land of Shadow, a place hidden by the Erdtree where the goddess Marika first set foot,” the DLC the story description reads. “In these strange new lands, players discover the world’s dark secrets as they encounter others who follow in Michela’s footsteps with ulterior motives.”

The Land of Shadow is a completely new world in the Elden Ring, separate from the Lands Between of the main game. While the size of the new map is not yet known, FromSoftware says the “huge” new region will allow players to seamlessly travel back and forth between different sections. Just like Lands Between, the new map will be varied, with players encountering new mysteries, enemies, situations and dangerous dungeons.

In addition to new lore, enemies and bosses, the expansion will bring new weapons, equipment, weapon skills and magic never before seen in Elden Ring, with FromSoftware promising a deeper RPG experience.

The Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will be available separately in a Standard Edition and Premium Bundle, which includes a digital artbook and the original soundtrack. The expansion will also be available as part of a bundle with the base game. Finally, there is a Collector’s Edition available in limited quantities, which includes the expansion, a 46cm statue of ‘Messmer the Impaler’, an art book and a voucher to download the original soundtrack.

Shadow of the Erdtree is currently available for pre-order on the Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox storefronts, with a release scheduled for June 21st. Note that the base game will be required to play the expansion.