DLC Release:
Very fun, sometimes jaw-dropping and challenging. World is expansive, every location looks distinct and forced me to sweep every corner due to interest and intrigue. I loved every second of dungeon exploration, music listening during boss fights and scenery when I stop to glance over new forest/mountain/valley. This DLC gave interesting, unique in their differences NPCs and battle companions, which I will remember years ahead.

However, these are few major gripes I have with DLC:
1. Bosses are pretty, original, but some of them are WAY too tedious to fight. And I mean not being unfairly hard or impossible to predict - no - only them having inflated health pool and too narrow window for attacks. Instead fast, risky and rewarding combat we get 6-8 attack combo slop to dodge/block for chance to fit in 1 "punishing" attack. I'm not talking about every encounter, only about select few of them, which I won't spoil.

2. There're like 3 big locations, which feel too empty to not notice. They're barren, no loot, no interesting monster encounters, just giant plateau of nothigness. They feel almost rushed in some places.

3. Loot: generic loot is not worth its placement at all. After going through giant chunk of game, upgrading weapons, defeating Mogh things I loot in dlc are are... Smithing stones? 1 to 6? Whoa. I get it, devs expect not everyone having bells for ore, but... You can easily cut half of that from DLC loot spots and you will lose nothing of value or uniqueness. Even a reskinned weapon or item would be better with same stats.

Still, I haven't noticed how fast time has passed with me playing this DLC. Despite few flaws, I loved every second of it. More Elden Ring fun for Elden Ring fan.

9/10

DLC Release: Very fun, sometimes jaw-dropping and challenging. World is expansive, every location looks distinct and forced me to sweep every corner due to interest and intrigue. I loved every second of dungeon exploration, music listening during boss fights and scenery when I stop to glance over new forest/mountain/valley. This DLC gave interesting, unique in their differences NPCs and battle companions, which I will remember years ahead. However, these are few major gripes I have with DLC: 1. Bosses are pretty, original, but some of them are WAY too tedious to fight. And I mean not being unfairly hard or impossible to predict - no - only them having inflated health pool and too narrow window for attacks. Instead fast, risky and rewarding combat we get 6-8 attack combo slop to dodge/block for chance to fit in 1 "punishing" attack. I'm not talking about every encounter, only about select few of them, which I won't spoil. 2. There're like 3 big locations, which feel too empty to not notice. They're barren, no loot, no interesting monster encounters, just giant plateau of nothigness. They feel almost rushed in some places. 3. Loot: generic loot is not worth its placement at all. After going through giant chunk of game, upgrading weapons, defeating Mogh things I loot in dlc are are... Smithing stones? 1 to 6? Whoa. I get it, devs expect not everyone having bells for ore, but... You can easily cut half of that from DLC loot spots and you will lose nothing of value or uniqueness. Even a reskinned weapon or item would be better with same stats. Still, I haven't noticed how fast time has passed with me playing this DLC. Despite few flaws, I loved every second of it. More Elden Ring fun for Elden Ring fan. 9/10