FromSoftware is currently quite busy, even after the release of its smash hit open-world SoulslikeElden Ring.Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconis coming even sooner than some rumors expected, delightingArmored Coreveterans and allowing interested players to jump into the series while hype levels are high. On top of that,Elden Ringhas a downloadable expansion on the way titled Shadow of the Erdtree. The base game was already huge and this DLC has been in development longer than any of FromSoftware’s past DLC, so there are plenty of reasons to be excited.
The only thing dampening that excitement is the lack of information on Shadow of the Erdtree. Right now, this DLC exists in the form of a single image posted on social media. There’s no telling what it could bring, whether it’s in the past, present, or future, and whether it will address outstanding characters likeElden Ring’s Miquellaor Godwyn. However, there is one easy shortcut FromSoftware can take to ensure that Shadow of the Erdtree feels like worthwhile DLC, and that’s to bundle it with even more endings forElden Ring’s base game.
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Elden Ring is Built for Lots of Endings
It goes without saying that for a modern FromSoftware title,Elden Ringhas a lot of potential endings. Several of these are cosmetic variations on themost basic Elden Lord ending inElden Ring, stemming from different major side quests with their own narrative implications. The other two are both visually distinct and bring even greater changes to the Lands Between. Shadow of the Erdtree has plenty of room to add endings to this system, and plenty of motivation to do so.
While it would be a little disappointing to see another variation of the Elden Lord endings, one or two of those in addition to at least one bespoke ending should be possible. Said endings vary based on what new runes players introduce tothe reforged Elden Ring, and since the DLC is expected to be fairly large, there should be new side quests to provide a couple more. Just completing the DLC should be the reason enough to unlock a more distinct ending, though knowing FromSoftware,Elden Ringcould hide a secret alternate ending to reward persistent explorers.
What Endings Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Could Add
As for what these endings could entail, there are a few options that fans suspect. Miquella could have some form of involvement with this DLC, and this eternally young demigod has some history with side quests. Almostcompletely removed fromElden Ring’s base game, the quest for St. Trina – Miquella’s alter ego – would have involved delving into various characters' sleeping minds. Many fans suspect that this hanging plot thread will return via Shadow of the Erdtree, and the resulting dreamscapes could even provide the DLC’s setting. The ending itself could entail ascending to the throne with Miquella as the player’s Empyrean, or the world of dreams infringing on the real one via another Elden Lord variant.
There are a couple of other possibilities for new endings as well. Godwyn, now known as the Prince of Death, technically has an ending courtesy of his follower Fia. However, since his undead corpse remains an object of fan speculation, there is more to be done with him and Those Who Live in Death. Other potential endings include connecting withElden Ring’s Gloam-Eyed Queen and her Godskin followers, who the player had to deal with but lacked context for. Even the now-debunked Barbarians of the Badlands DLC could get a shout-out with a Tarnished-centric ending. The sky’s the limit withElden Ring’s DLC, and hopefully whatever it adds to the game’s narrative will give fans many more hours of adventure.
Elden Ringis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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