Okay, folks, brace yourselves. You know how you finally managed to claw your way out of the Lands Between, maybe started a new hobby, possibly even remembered what sunlight feels like? Yeah, forget all that. FromSoftware just dropped a bomb: Elden Ring: The Deep of Night is officially happening. And I, for one, am already mentally preparing for my next descent into madness.
I've got to admit, this part fascinates me. What exactly is the Deep of Night? A whole new region? A delve into existing areas we thought we knew? The possibilities are terrifyingly exciting. We’re talking about FromSoftware here; they aren’t exactly known for holding back. Think about the Old Hunters DLC for Bloodborne, or even Artorias of the Abyss from Dark Souls. If those are anything to go by, The Deep of Night is going to be brutal, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.
What We Know (So Far) About Elden Ring's New DLC
Alright, so the details are still pretty scarce – FromSoftware loves to keep us hanging, doesn't it? But what we do know is tantalizing, to say the least. The announcement came with a stunning piece of concept art, featuring what appears to be a new character (or at least, one we haven't seen before) standing before a massive, swirling vortex of… something ominous. Is it related to the outer gods? The Formless Mother? Oh, the speculation is already running wild.
And that logo! Subtle, but effective. It’s clearly Elden Ring, but with a darkened, almost corrupted feel to it. You might be wondering about the implications of this. It suggests a shift in tone, maybe a descent into something even darker and more twisted than what we’ve already experienced. Which, honestly, is a pretty high bar.
Gameplay Predictions: More Than Just New Content?
Of course, everyone's excited about the new areas, bosses, and weapons – and trust me, I am too. But what I'm really hoping for is some meaningful gameplay changes. Elden Ring was already a masterpiece, but there's always room for improvement, right? I initially thought they might tweak the combat system, but after looking deeper, it seems more likely we will get additional content like new items, skills, bosses and more.
Imagine new combat arts that are tailored to specific weapon types, giving us even more ways to customize our playstyle. Or what about new summoning mechanics that let us call upon even more bizarre and powerful allies? The possibilities are endless and genuinely, I hope to experience it with this expansion.
Why This Expansion Could Cement Elden Ring's Legacy
Here's the thing: Elden Ring wasn't just a game; it was a cultural phenomenon. It brought in millions of new players to the Souls-like genre, proving that challenging games can still be incredibly accessible and rewarding. But this expansion has the potential to do something even more significant: it could solidify Elden Ring as one of the greatest games ever made. Games like Valorant or CS:GO, games with constant updates are always loved.
Think about it this way: The Deep of Night gives FromSoftware a chance to address some of the criticisms leveled at the base game, expand upon its lore in meaningful ways, and introduce new mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. If they nail it, we could be looking at a DLC that's just as impactful as the original game itself. Which, let's be honest, is a terrifying thought. My sleeping schedule hasn't recovered yet!
But honestly, even if it’s just more Elden Ring, I’m pretty happy with that. The world FromSoftware has built is so rich with secrets and lore that any excuse to dive back in is a good one in my book. And hey, maybe this time I'll actually manage to beat Malenia without resorting to cheese tactics. Probably not, but a man can dream.
But let's not get carried away just yet. We'll have to wait for more information. However, the gaming community is already on fire as seen here with other games!
Check out this other announcement.
Elden Ring: The Deep of Night - FAQ
When is Elden Ring: The Deep of Night expected to be released?
Unfortunately, FromSoftware hasn't given us a concrete release date yet. All we know is that it's officially in development. Given their track record, I would expect a release sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. Of course, that's just speculation based on past patterns. We'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for more announcements.
Will The Deep of Night be a separate purchase, or will it be included in a future edition of Elden Ring?
More than likely, The Deep of Night will be a separate purchase, similar to how DLCs have been handled in previous FromSoftware titles like the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne. It's possible they'll release a complete edition of Elden Ring that includes the DLC at some point down the line, but for now, expect to buy it separately.
Will Elden Ring: The Deep of Night feature new difficulty options, or will it be as challenging as the base game?
Don't expect any changes in difficulty. FromSoftware games are known for their challenging gameplay, and they rarely offer difficulty options. The Deep of Night will almost certainly be just as brutal as the base game. So get ready to die… a lot. I just hope they provide more ways to level up to make the experience more enjoyable.
What platforms will The Deep of Night be available on?
We can safely assume that The Deep of Night will be available on all the same platforms as the base game: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. FromSoftware has been pretty consistent with their platform releases, so there's no reason to expect any changes this time around.
For additional content from us, check out this post about PlayStation State of Play.
