It’s understandable if you have high expectations for Shadow of the Erdtree. I do, too. FromSoftware’s monumental action RPGs never cease to amaze, and Elden Ring had a shattering impact on the gaming industry when it launched in 2022, snagging Game of the Year and instantly becoming a favorite for many gamers—myself included.

So, I hope you can imagine my excitement when I was among the lucky few invited to play Shadow of the Erdtree at Bandai Namco’s preview event in Paris. Now, after three hours with Elden Ring’s first and only expansion, I’m confident it won’t just meet our expectations but will raise the bar for post-launch content and proudly claim the top spot as FromSoftware’s best expansion yet.