Souls games are excellent at making you want to go forward, to explore that weird ruin and massive castle right in front of you. A lot of this comes down to framing, making it so the moment you step through a doorway a giant landmark is perfectly in view as the music kicks in. This is true for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree too, with two exceptions. Any time the DLC popped up a text box, the game flipped it. It’s one of the best uses of a simple notification I’ve seen in a video game in recent memory.
This will go into some spoilers, so warning for those who want to go into Shadow of the Erdtree totally blind. The first time this happens is likely when you first go to the Shadow Keep, the massive castle where Messmer resides. Journeying inside, you’re prepped for a lengthy climb through this massive mega dungeon, packed full of enemies and secrets. But, just as you reach the elevator, you get a pop up. “Somewhere, a great rune has broken. And so too a powerful charm.” This can also happen when you first reach Rauh Base, or pass Bonny Village, so it’s targeted at players who are well into their adventure.
The moment you see this, your desire to march ahead immediately shifts into turning around. Miquella’s charm, as you may have figured out by this point, has affected all of the companions you journeyed into the Land of Shadow with. Immediately you’re inclined to travel back to all the crosses of Miquella, speaking to all the NPCs you’ve met. It’s a sharp and slicing world state change, changing not only your priorities but the actions of your allies. With the spell of Miquella’s kindness gone, the DLC gains a darker and more nefarious tone.
