Here are the more interesting parts of the
Famitsu inteview, courtesy of Google Translate:
―― When I heard the title, the first thing that caught my attention was the meaning of the subtitle “SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE.”
Miyazaki: “ERDTREE” is the “Golden Tree” that appears in the main story. Therefore, the direct translation of the DLC's subtitle is "Shadow of the Golden Tree."
In the concept art released in February 2023, the shadow of the golden tree towering in the back left is also known as the "shadow tree." The setting of the DLC is not the "land between" symbolized by the golden tree, but the "land of shadows" symbolized by the shadow tree.
Also, the subtitle has a slightly more hidden meaning, but I'd like you to experience that by actually playing the game.
―― One more thing related to art: Is the person riding the torrent one of the demigods whose existence is mentioned in the main story, “Michela of the Sacred Tree”?
Miyazaki: Yes, that's right. The main character of the story depicted in this DLC is Michela.
I'm not sure if people remember this, but the main story was simply about following the guidance of blessings. This time, we will be following the footsteps of Michela as she heads towards the Land of Shadows.
Also, NPCs who follow Michela's footsteps will also appear. They become the storytellers of the DLC story, interact with the main character, and sometimes become friends and enemies.
The other main focus of the DLC story will be the past of the Land of Shadows and the past of Queen Marika.
―― A lot of information has been revealed this time, so please tell us about it. You said earlier that Queen Marika's past will be told, but will the timeline of the DLC be in the past?
Miyazaki: No. The timeline will be the same as the main story. It is not set in the distant past or future.
I think the past of the land of shadows and Queen Marika would be told in the same way as the history of the Shattered War in the main story.
―― The main story of Elden Ring featured a heroic story, but will that change in the DLC as well?
Miyazaki: Yes. The theme of heroic stories remains the same.
I think the character “Mesmer” depicted in the key art is easy to understand, and he is also one of the heroes.
The chair that Mesmer is sitting on is the same chair that was used in the main story during the battle with "The Abominable King, Morgot," and he is also a being on the same level as Godric, Marenia, Rhadaan, Rykard, etc. It is also called "Marika's child".
―― What I'm curious about is the volume of this DLC. `` DARK SOULS III '' and `` Bloodborne '' were released about a year after the main game, so I have high expectations for this one... (lol).
Miyazaki: That's right. We apologize for keeping you waiting.
However, when it comes to the volume of DLC, it is clearly larger than DLC for the "DARK SOULS" series or "Bloodborne". I have no doubt that this will be our biggest DLC to date.
―― That's more than I expected! Why did the volume become so huge?
Miyazaki: When we thought about the "Eldenring"-like experience even with DLC, we felt that the current volume was necessary.
Although there are threats to overcome, there is a sense of adventure typical of Elden Ring, with the freedom to take on those challenges, the excitement of exploring the unknown, and discoveries and encounters at the end of exploration.
―― How do you access that area?
Miyazaki: It is not connected to the main field, but you will go there by transfer.
The entrance is either a large cracked cocoon, or a withered arm hanging from it, which was the stage of the battle with "Morg, Lord of Blood."
Also, in order to go to the field of this DLC, you need to defeat "Morg, Lord of Blood" and "Radaan, Starbreaker".
―― If you can play from the second half of the main story, will the difficulty level be higher?
Miyazaki: That's right. I think the parametric difficulty level will be based on the second half of the main story.
Fundamentally, the approach to difficulty remains unchanged from the original game. This is true in that you have the freedom to take on threats, and there are also challenging bosses that don't need to be defeated in the story, like the Marenia in the main story.
―― Is it possible to go back and forth between the main game field and the DLC field?
Miyazaki: Yes, it is possible. As I answered earlier, the main game and DLC fields are not connected, so you can move back and forth between them by transferring, but you can do it freely.
―― This is a small detail, but how will fast travel work?
Miyazaki: This is also the same as the main story. Once you discover a “blessing”, you will be able to transfer there.
―― Will the progress of the DLC affect the ending of the main story?
Miyazaki: No, there is no such thing, and the progress of events in the main story will not change the content of the DLC.
―― Are there any new elements unique to DLC?
Miyazaki: As for the system, a DLC-only level-up element has been added.
I think it's easy to understand if you imagine something like "offensive power" in "SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE", but apart from the conventional levels, there is "offensive power" that is only effective in the DLC field . is.
This was prepared for the "freedom to challenge threats" that I mentioned earlier, and it allows you to say things like, "This boss is tough, so let's explore another area and try again after becoming stronger." This makes it easier to experience even at high levels.
On the other hand, by suppressing the increase in "offensive power", players will be able to experience the challenge of challenging threats at a lower level.
―― Are there any weapons, magic, or prayers that will be added?
Miyazaki: Yes. Many weapons, magic, battle techniques, etc. will be added. That's one of the selling points of this DLC.
Especially regarding weapons, 8 new weapon types will be added. Of course, there are also additions to existing weapon types.
―― Eight...!? There are quite a number of weapons in the main game, but what kind of weapons will be added in the DLC?
Miyazaki: First of all, we have a direction that is relatively close to the classics, such as the large Japanese sword, the large sword, and the Gyateken, but we also have a direction that is more distinctive and highly novel.
For example, it might be a "fighting" game inspired by a monk, or something like a "dueling shield" that combines offense and defense. There are also throwing daggers where all attacks are thrown.
I think even those who have already used the weapon types in the main story will find it refreshing and enjoyable.
―― In the trailer released for this announcement, I would like to pay attention to the weapons as well. Also, the trailer featured an enemy I've never seen before, like a lion dancer, but is that a DLC boss?
Miyazaki: Yes. That lion dance is, in a sense, a DLC-like boss.
In fact, the Land of Shadows is the place where Marika became a god and the Golden Tree was born. Naturally, there was a culture that existed before the Golden Tree, and the lion dance character is derived from that culture.
So, I hope you can feel the scent of a different culture, which is a little different from the main story.
―― In the background of the new art, something like a veil is depicted in the sky.
Miyazaki: Yes. The Land of Shadows, which is the setting of the DLC, is separated from the Land of Interstice, which is the setting of the main story. It has the image of being separated and hidden from the outside world, and the veil is also a symbol of this.
―― The mystery will only deepen, but I'm looking forward to new encounters. This is a quick question, but will I be able to see the special ending if I clear the DLC area?
Miyazaki: There is no stand-alone ending, or rather, no end credits to be played.
However, the clearing of the DLC has been adjusted to be clear, and there are some small effects that will make you feel that way.
―― After this DLC is released, will there be any DLC or other content created that further expands the world of Elden Ring?
Miyazaki: No. As of now, we have no plans for another DLC after this one. I think this will be a big break in terms of DLC added to the main game of Elden Ring.
However, that does not mean that everything in Elden Ring is complete. I may have said the same thing with Dark Souls III, but I don't want to make any statements that would close off future possibilities.
―― In addition to the DLC alone, it has also been decided to release a bundled version that includes the main game of Elden Ring and the DLC.
Miyazaki: Yes. I would be very happy if someone took this opportunity to play Elden Ring for the first time.
As I mentioned earlier, in order to enter the DLC field, you need to have progressed through the main story to a certain extent, so I think it would be a good idea to have players complete the main story before the DLC is released.
―― So, do you have any desire to make another game on the scale of Elden Ring?
Miyazaki: Yes. there is. I don't know if it's something I can start working on right away, but if it's allowed, I'd like to give it a try.
I'm sure all the staff feel the same way, but I want to make use of my experience with Elden Ring this time... Above all, creating a big world and adventure is really fun and exciting.
