Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: A Familiar Foe Resurrected?
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring, a masterpiece of open-world action RPGs, continues to captivate players with its intricate world-building and challenging combat. The recent Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has further expanded this universe, introducing new challenges and mysteries for players to unravel. However, a recent discovery has sent shockwaves through the community, suggesting a surprising connection between the DLC’s final boss and a seemingly unrelated enemy from a previous FromSoftware title.
A Shadow of the Past
A dedicated Elden Ring player, known as XumetaXD, stumbled upon a startling resemblance between the formidable final boss of Shadow of the Erdtree and a seemingly ordinary enemy from Dark Souls 2. This unexpected connection has ignited fervent discussions and speculation among the game’s passionate fanbase.
XumetaXD’s keen eye noticed striking similarities between the final boss’s weapon and moveset and those of Vengarl’s Body, a challenging foe encountered in Dark Souls 2. Both characters wield a pair of deadly blades and share a distinctive “cross-slash” attack. The uncanny resemblance has led many to question whether FromSoftware intentionally recycled elements from its previous game or if it’s a mere coincidence.
FromSoftware’s Reuse of Assets: A Common Practice?
While the discovery of such a direct connection between two seemingly disparate games is undoubtedly intriguing, it’s essential to consider the possibility of a more mundane explanation. FromSoftware, like many game developers, often reuses assets and animations to streamline the development process. This practice is not uncommon in the gaming industry, and it’s entirely possible that the similarities between the Elden Ring boss and the Dark Souls 2 enemy are simply a result of this efficiency-driven approach.
However, the sheer number of shared elements between the two characters makes this explanation less plausible. The weapon design, attack animations, and even the overall character silhouette exhibit a striking degree of similarity, suggesting something more intentional.
A Deeper Connection or a Coincidence?
Ultimately, whether the connection between the Elden Ring boss and the Dark Souls 2 enemy is a deliberate homage, a recycled asset, or a purely coincidental resemblance remains a matter of speculation. Regardless of the true nature of the relationship between these two characters, the discovery has sparked a fascinating conversation about FromSoftware’s development practices and the interconnectedness of their game worlds.
As players continue to delve deeper into the intricacies of Elden Ring and its DLC, more secrets are sure to be uncovered. Only time will tell if this particular mystery will be solved definitively.
