The release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was met with enormous anticipation from fans around the world. After the base game’s critical acclaim and massive commercial success, expectations for the DLC were incredibly high. With its stunning environments, challenging new bosses, and expanded lore, the DLC offered much of what fans love about FromSoftware’s storytelling. However, once players reached the end of the journey, many were left with a surprising feeling disappointment. The Elden Ring DLC ending has sparked debate across the community, with many calling it lackluster and unsatisfying. Despite the masterful world-building and memorable moments leading up to the finale, the conclusion failed to deliver the emotional or narrative payoff many hoped for.
High Hopes and Narrative Investment
FromSoftware has built a reputation for cryptic storytelling, atmospheric design, and deeply symbolic narratives. As players ventured into the new DLC content, they were met with yet another layer of the Elden Ring mythos. Hints of Miquella’s journey, new gods, and strange lands set up a mysterious and compelling path forward. Lore hunters dug into item descriptions, dialogues, and environmental clues, piecing together what they believed would be a profound culmination of Miquella’s arc.
But after hours of combat and exploration, the final moments of the DLC did not offer a strong conclusion. There was no major shift in the world, no clear resolution to Miquella’s fate, and certainly no branching endings that reflected player choice. For many, this lack of a satisfying ending undermined the emotional weight of the journey.
Why the Ending Feels Lackluster
1. Minimal Narrative Closure
One of the core criticisms of the Elden Ring DLC ending is its lack of narrative resolution. Players expected a deeper look into Miquella’s character arguably one of the most enigmatic figures in the base game. Instead, the ending leaves more questions than answers. There is no definitive conclusion to his motivations, no clarity on his transformation, and no real consequences to the choices players make throughout the DLC content. It feels like a loose thread rather than a completed arc.
2. No Impact on the World
Another issue is the lack of any visible change in the game world following the conclusion. In the base game, defeating major bosses like Radahn or Rykard had dramatic effects on the Lands Between. However, the DLC’s ending barely ripples through the narrative or gameplay. There’s no cinematic transformation, no altered NPC dialogue, and no shift in the broader narrative. For a game that thrives on interconnected storytelling, this felt like a missed opportunity.
3. Limited Player Agency
Elden Ring is not known for heavy player choice, but it does allow for different endings in the main story based on your actions. The DLC, however, offers little in terms of agency. The linear structure leads to a singular ending with no deviation. Players hoping to influence the outcome of Miquella’s story, align with different factions, or determine the fate of the realm are left without options. This lack of interactivity makes the ending feel hollow, especially after so much buildup.
Comparison to Past FromSoftware DLCs
To better understand the community’s disappointment, it helps to compare this DLC with previous FromSoftware expansions.
- Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City This DLC provided a definitive conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy. It offered thematic closure, high-stakes battles, and a final boss that symbolized the end of an age.
- Bloodborne: The Old Hunters Rich with lore and delivering a gut-wrenching finale, this DLC expanded the mythos of the base game and delivered an emotionally resonant ending.
In contrast, Shadow of the Erdtree lacks that final emotional punch. While the level design and boss fights are brilliant, the story fizzles out rather than ending with impact. This stark difference has only amplified the criticism of its ending.
The Missed Potential of Miquella
Much of the disappointment centers on Miquella himself. Fans were eager to finally see his full story unfold. As a character teased heavily in the base game, Miquella was shrouded in mystery. His connection to Malenia, his refusal of godhood, and his strange cocooned form set the stage for an epic transformation or revelation.
Instead, players encounter him in a state that lacks clarity. Whether he is alive, reborn, corrupted, or transcended is left ambiguous. The final boss fight doesn’t center around Miquella directly, and there’s no climactic interaction with him. This detachment from what seemed to be the central figure of the DLC makes the ending feel emotionally disconnected.
Community Reaction and Discussion
Fan forums, Reddit threads, and YouTube analysis videos have exploded with conversation about the DLC’s conclusion. Many players expressed appreciation for the gameplay and artistic direction but shared a common sentiment of confusion and dissatisfaction with the ending.
Common community feedback includes:
- It felt like the DLC stopped short of something meaningful.
- I loved the boss fights, but I kept waiting for a payoff that never came.
- Miquella deserved a better conclusion.
This doesn’t mean the DLC is without merit. Players have praised the challenge, design, and atmosphere throughout. But the final moments seem to lack the impact that previous expansions delivered.
Is the Lackluster Ending Intentional?
Some fans argue that the open-ended conclusion was deliberate. FromSoftware is known for ambiguity, after all. The lack of closure might be an artistic choice leaving Miquella’s fate up to interpretation and encouraging further exploration through community discussion and lore theories.
However, there is a fine line between ambiguity and lack of fulfillment. While mystery can enhance a story, it should still offer enough substance to feel complete. In this case, the balance may have tipped too far into vagueness, depriving players of a satisfying resolution after dozens of hours invested.
Possible Fixes and Future Additions
It remains to be seen whether FromSoftware will address the criticism. There’s always the possibility of a follow-up patch, added content, or further lore expansion in future games. Some fans even speculate that Shadow of the Erdtree may not be the final word on Miquella or the Lands of Shadow.
Ideas that could improve the experience include:
- A hidden or alternate ending triggered by specific in-game actions.
- Additional NPC quests that expand on the aftermath of the DLC’s events.
- More dialogue or item descriptions to clarify Miquella’s fate.
Whether or not these changes occur, the core experience of Shadow of the Erdtree will remain defined by what it delivered and what it did not.
The Elden Ring DLC ending may be one of the most polarizing elements of an otherwise brilliant expansion. While it showcases FromSoftware’s signature combat, design, and atmosphere, the lack of emotional or narrative closure casts a shadow over the experience. Players expected a powerful conclusion to Miquella’s tale, but instead found an ending that felt abrupt and underwhelming. Whether this was an intentional artistic choice or a missed opportunity, it remains a subject of discussion in the Elden Ring community and a reminder that even a masterpiece can stumble at the finish line.