Gaming

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree review: Game of the year again?

Back with new challenges

Published

July 5, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Since the launch of Elden Ring in 2022, the gaming industry started a love affair with Soulslike difficulty. From the cutesy stylings of Another Crab’s Treasure to the bodacious Stellar Blade, it’s a great time for those who prefer working for their victories. But, of course, nothing beats the king. FromSoftware is back with Elden Ring’s first DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

After beating the Lord of Blood, the Tarnished find themselves transported to the Land of Shadow. Kindly Miquella has invited several people from the Lands Between to follow in his footsteps. In what can only be described as a perilous Stations of the Cross, players must fight tooth and nail to figure out what happened to the missing demigod. Naturally, as is always the case with FromSoftware, things are not what they seem.

A little bit of everything

Shadow of the Erdtree’s map slots nicely into the space within the original game’s map. Imagine a crescent moon. While the lit part represents the main game, the DLC is the dark part (or, quite literally, the shadow of the Erdtree).

The DLC costs quite a bit for just an addition to an already packed game. However, its sheer size makes the cost of entry more than worth it.

It also helps that the DLC has a little bit of everything you loved from the main game. Forces associated with all the demigods are converging around the area. Magic-wielding Carians, finger monsters, dragons, new weapons. It’s a veritable who’s who of the Lands Between.

Then again, it also has the things you might have hated. Scarlet rot, losing the boss because of the camera, platforming challenges that require a ballerina’s finesse. There are a lot of things that can make you pull your hair out. Then again, that’s part of the charm.

If you want to rekindle your love (or hatred) for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree is a must-have.

Some jolly cooperation

Besides bringing back elements from the main game, Shadow of the Erdtree comes with FromSoftware’s iconic level design. Segments connect so seamlessly. In one moment, you could be riding through a vast landscape on Torrent. In the next, you’re already knee-deep inside a dungeon. The DLC resurrects that brilliant feeling of getting lost.

Yes, getting lost isn’t the best feeling. However, almost every diverging path ends in a well-deserved reward. Oh yeah, and tough boss fights.

Being a tough game, the title makes cooperation even more important. While a lot of them still troll others, a lot of player messages help others by telling them of secret passages, unseen ambushes, and preferable battle tactics. Personally, I’ve also been chatting with friends about their experiences with bosses. It’s satisfying to know that you’re not the only one subjecting yourself to such masochism.

FromSoftware knows how to make boss fights challenging but fair. Plus, even in those moments where victory seems impossible, the game relies on its wide fanbase to create that feeling of a shared experience.

A few technical difficulties

That said, there are a few segments that are poorly optimized for modern systems. Framerates will drop unexpectedly. In a tough game like this, a few missed frames can spell disaster during a tense boss fight.

Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, FromSoftware has not released a significant optimization patch to solve the issues. Bandai Namco has only issued statements asking players to turn off third-party software which might be hogging resources away from the game.

Additionally, a few boss fights don’t feel fair. One example is a knight riding a large boar. The fight starts off with the boss immediately charging at the player with a move almost impossible to dodge. It’s a battle that almost requires you to use up one health item right off the bat. Thankfully, FromSoftware has just issued a patch that changes the boss’ positioning. It means that the studio is willing to listen to its players, and it also means that the issues presented in this section might not even apply to a patched game months after this review.

Plunge into Elden Ring again

Shadow of the Erdtree is more than just a DLC for Elden Ring. Essentially, it’s an entirely new world to explore. It’s filled with new enemies, weapons, challenges, and frustrations. If you’re a fan of FromSoftware, you’d know that their DLCs always hit. If you’re only familiar with Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree offers more of the same, but that’s all you’ll need from a FromSoftware game. The DLC is well worth the purchase.

Related Topics:Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake

It’s officially called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced.

Published

March 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

If you ask an Assassin’s Creed fan what their favorite game of the series is, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag will likely be one of the top contenders. Because of its reputation, gamers are constantly asking for a remake of the popular pirate simulator. Now, the dream is finally here. Ubisoft has confirmed that a remake, called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, is coming.

Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag saw the journey of Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate haplessly thrust into life as part of the Assassin Brotherhood against his will. The critically acclaimed game was something that all gamers have been clamoring for since Sid Meier’s Pirates: a true pirate simulator. It was no surprise that the game got as popular as it did.

Today, through an official roadmap shared by the company, Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is real, and it might launch later this year. The company also released the first concept art for the remake.

Currently, there’s no official word as to how Ubisoft is remaking the game. At the very least, we can expect significant graphical upgrades to put it up to par with the modern games. We wouldn’t be opposed to more stories and missions too.

Now, though the Black Flag remake is already a big deal, the same roadmap also emphasizes that Codename Hexe, the next mainline title, is still coming. Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed the actual timeline yet, but the game will depict “a pivotal moment in history.” With post-launch development for the ongoing Shadows winding down, efforts to launch Codename Hexe should be ramping up soon.

Gaming

PlayStation will stop releasing its games on PC

A new reports suggests that Sony is going back to console exclusives.

Published

March 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

PC-only gamers have been eating well for the past few years. The formerly exclusive PlayStation library opened its gates and released worthy ports for PC. Unfortunately, Sony is putting an end to this short-lived era of openness to PC gamers. According to a new report, the company is once again making first-party PlayStation games exclusive to the console.

During the pandemic, Sony started releasing its critically acclaimed first-party games on PC. The new wave saw gamers get the ability to play titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and God of War on another platform. Even now, players are still eagerly awaiting the PC launch of Death Stranding 2, due out later this year.

However, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Sony has just had a change of heart and will no longer release any more games on the PC, beyond those already confirmed for future launches.

This will mean that last year’s Ghost of Yotei and the upcoming Saros will remain PlayStation exclusives for the foreseeable future.

It’s a big change to Sony’s direction. However, it’s not without its precedents. For one, Microsoft has started to compete in the non-exclusive market. The company is already set to launch Fable and Forza Horizon 6 on other platforms, including PC and PlayStation, concurrently with the Xbox launch. To compare, PlayStation still waits a long time before launching exclusive games on PC.

Also, now that rumors have begun to speak of a fabled PlayStation 6, Sony might want to keep things close to its chest for now. After all, selling the console might be its top priority for now.

Gaming

The quirky Legion Go Fold stole the show at MWC 2026

Is this the ultimate travel gadget?

Published

March 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

An all-in-one device is a pipe dream for many. Imagine a device that can turn into a tablet, a laptop, a phone, and a console with the flip of a switch. As showcased during MWC 2026, Lenovo wants you to stop imagining. A new concept called the Legion Go Fold is an all-around device you can take with you on travels.

On account of the lineup it’s associated with, the Legion Go Fold is, first and foremost, a handheld gaming console. Normally, it’s a sizable 7.7-inch screen you can attach the Legion Go’s recognizable controllers to.

However, as the “Fold” in its name is hinting, the screen can be unfolded into a much larger screen. At its quirkiest, the concept looks like a vertical tablet with controllers attached to either side. Lenovo says that this is best used in split-screen mode where you can split the display between a game and other media such as a walkthrough video.

Alternatively, you can just rotate the screen horizontally and attach the controllers to play with the maxed out 11.6-inch display.

Finally, the Legion Go Fold can be used as a laptop via the detached screen and an included wireless keyboard. Like the other devices in the Legion Go lineup, the right controller can be used as a makeshift mouse.

Because it’s a concept, the Legion Go Fold isn’t close to being released yet. However, it’s a good evolution of what the Legion Go can already do. As we said in previous reviews, the lineup can technically be a work laptop in a pinch. This just makes it easier.