Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree Developers Share Clever Tricks They Used When Designing Game’s World

Shadow Of The Erdtree’s Design Magic

FromSoftware isn’t new to the “reuse assets where it works and innovate where it matters” mantra—but they’ve really fine-tuned how to make this feel fresh and immersive in Shadow of the Erdtree. There’s no feeling of copy-pasted levels or dull monotony here. Despite the massive scale of the world, FromSoftware keeps you hooked by blending reused structures with environmental details that either haunt you, intrigue you, or both (usually both).

Take areas with recurring elements like Gothic towers or ruins. Sure, you’ve probably seen variations of these in Dark Souls or Bloodborne. But the way they’re positioned or buried in the sprawling decay of newer zones ensures they almost never look “samey.” Instead, it feels like they’re whispering, There’s more here if you dare dig deeper.

The genius? These aren’t just visuals. The environmental design often nudges you toward exploration or puts you on edge, making you feel like you’re walking into a lion’s den (and knowing FromSoftware, you probably are).

Meanwhile, the tricks extend to breaking up “open-world fatigue.” Yes—that’s a thing! The team uses vertical exploration to its fullest potential here. For example, you’ll often find yourself leaving a wide-open field only to descend into claustrophobic, doom-laden caverns. These shifts are a slap to complacency; if you’re not paying attention, Elden Ring’s notorious enemy ambushes will ensure you regret it.

Recycled Assets, But Make Them Special

Okay, every game developer reuses assets at some level. But FromSoftware? They’ve turned it into an art form. For Shadow of the Erdtree, the devs reused certain textures, objects, and even enemy archetypes. But here’s the thing that blows my mind: they’re not lazy about it. It all feels like it belongs in the new expansion because they layer on details that make everything feel… well, alive.

Take enemies you thought you recognized. Just when you think you’re going to pull out a tried-and-true strategy from the base game of Elden Ring, BAM. The supposedly “familiar” enemy smashes you with new abilities, faster moves, or devilish reinforcements. They lull you into the illusion of familiarity, only to yank the rug out from under your feet. Curse you, FromSoft.

The environments work similarly. Certain items or structures may feel like they’re pulled from earlier sections of the game, but by placing them in startling new light or eerie shadows, they end up evoking brand-new emotions.

Why Should You Care About These Design Choices?

If all this behind-the-scenes stuff sounds unimportant to you (like, it’s just pretty visuals, right?), think again. The way this upcoming Elden Ring expansion has been designed directly influences how you’re going to play it.

For one, these clever design elements hold you in suspense. You know that feeling of “Wait… something’s off,” while exploring an endless marsh or crawling through a suspiciously quiet corridor? Yep, that’s the point. These calculated tricks push you to tread carefully, keep rethinking your approach, and react on the fly. Classic FromSoft design mastery.

And then there’s the added replayability factor. Because details are so rich and layered, you’re not going to just breeze past content. Instead, there’s always the sense that you missed a secret nook, a hidden quest, or maybe even another nightmare boss! It’s practically a love letter to die-hard players who don’t mind getting murked by surprises because the payoff is just so worth it.

Elden Ring’s Shadow Of The Erdtree Is Poised To Wow Us All

As far as expansions go, Shadow of the Erdtree looks like it’s pulling out all the stops. From intricate world design saturated with personality to sneaky recycled elements that are disguised as fresh content, FromSoftware proves once again why they’re on top of the RPG game.

Keep a sharp eye out for subtle cues as you explore and don’t underestimate the environments themselves. These spaces tell stories, set up ambushes, and make you question whether that corner ahead hides treasure or torment (spoiler: it’s usually torment).

If you weren’t already hyped for Shadow of the Erdtree, consider this your official call to grab your Flask of Crimson Tears and get prepped. Because one thing is certain, FromSoftware’s trick-laden style of level design ensures that no path will feel the same twice, even if you think you’ve seen it all before.

Now go forth, brave Tarnished, and may the Erdtree’s shadow guide you (but also probably murder you at least a few times).

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