In a move designed to refine and enhance the Elden Ring experience, FromSoftware has released a new update for the critically acclaimed action RPG. This August 2024 patch, now available across all major platforms—including PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5—primarily focuses on addressing issues within the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which debuted earlier this summer.
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has garnered substantial acclaim for its expansive content and immersive gameplay. Praised for its intricate world-building and challenging new mechanics, the expansion has swiftly become a landmark addition to the Elden Ring universe. However, despite its warm reception and significant commercial success, the expansion has not been without its issues, prompting this latest round of updates.
Key Fixes and Adjustments
The August update aims to resolve a variety of bugs that have been impacting gameplay, particularly within the newly introduced regions and features of Shadow of the Erdtree. Noteworthy fixes include:
- Death Flare and Deadly Poison Spray: The update addresses a critical bug wherein the Death status ailment from the “Death Flare” skill was incorrectly being applied to the “Deadly Poison Spray” ability. This fix is expected to restore balance to the game’s combat mechanics.
- Red Bear NPC: A previously identified bug that resulted in the NPC “Red Bear” exhibiting higher than intended attack power has been corrected. This adjustment should improve gameplay consistency and ensure a fair challenge for players.
- Scadu Altus Multiplayer Issues: Players had encountered difficulties when attempting to invade other worlds within specific areas of Scadu Altus. This update rectifies that issue, alongside a bug which allowed cooperative multiplayer in regions devoid of bosses. These fixes aim to streamline multiplayer experiences and maintain the intended challenge level.
- Spirit Ashes Adjustments: The patch also introduces several changes to the Revered Spirit Ash Blessing and related spirits. Bugs affecting the attack power and damage negation for summoned spirits have been addressed, ensuring that spirits such as the Warhawk, Spider Scorpion, and Stormhawk Deenh perform as intended. This correction is expected to enhance the utility and balance of Spirit Ashes in combat.
The Future of Elden Ring
Despite the patch’s comprehensive approach to addressing existing issues, it appears that Shadow of the Erdtree may be the final expansion for Elden Ring. The developers at FromSoftware have confirmed that there are no current plans for additional content beyond this expansion. This announcement comes amidst widespread praise for the DLC, which has been noted for its substantial and engaging new content. As such, while the update is aimed at perfecting the current offering, it also signals a potential conclusion to new developments for the game.
Community and Developer Response
The gaming community has largely responded positively to both the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the recent patch. Players have expressed appreciation for the developers’ ongoing commitment to refining the game experience. FromSoftware’s team has conveyed their gratitude for the robust support and enthusiasm shown by the player base, highlighting that the release of Shadow of the Erdtree represents a significant milestone in the franchise’s history.
The August 2024 update for Elden Ring reflects FromSoftware’s dedication to delivering a polished and immersive experience for its players. By addressing critical bugs and adjusting gameplay mechanics, the patch aims to enhance the overall quality of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. As Elden Ring reaches this juncture with its final major content release, players can look forward to exploring the expansive new realms and content that the game has to offer. With the developers focusing on fine-tuning the existing experience, the community remains hopeful that the high standards set by Elden Ring will continue to be upheld in any future projects from the studio.
