Elden Ring gamers are being jumpscared within the not too long ago launched Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement, however not by a terrifying new enemy or lethal environmental lure. No, the supply of this worry is a straightforward, screeching fowl.
A sparse forest positioned southeast of the enlargement’s preliminary website of grace checkpoint on the Gravesite Plain is among the earliest landmarks you see (and might attain) in Shadow of the Erdtree. It’s there you’ll discover a number of of the enlargement’s new crafting supplies, a tough human foe named Logur, the Beast Claw who drops his eponymous weapon upon defeat, and a wide range of ruined stone constructions simply begging to be investigated.
A few of these landmarks are dwelling to eagle-like birds who don’t take kindly to a participant’s strategy. And whereas they don’t assault, they do make an terrible shriek when disturbed that’s apparently catching some folks off guard. Messages dot the bottom round these areas, cautioning fellow Tarnished to “pay attention rigorously forward” and “be cautious of sound.” The ghostly emotes connected to the warnings depict brave-looking adventurers assuming the fetal place and elevating their arms to the sky in defensive terror.
Comparable tales have been shared on real-world social media.
“The jumpscare noise birds on this Elden Ring DLC could be probably the most insane factor they’ve ever executed,” stated one participant on X (previously Twitter). “It’s not even an enemy you struggle, they’re simply a part of the native fauna.”
“Dude, the fowl sounds are actually making me crap my pants,” one other Redditor stated.
“Rattling leap scares!” stated a 3rd. “Acquired me twice inside 20 minutes of beginning the DLC. Must get an Elden Ring-brand defibrillator.”
Soulsborne vets could bear in mind developer FromSoftware pulling the identical trick in Darkish Souls 3’s Irithyll Dungeon, the place selecting up sure gadgets would elicit a loud, horrifying scream from an unseen creature. The birds aren’t fairly as dangerous, however there’s an argument to be made that their tranquil environment make for a more practical scare.
It’s far too early for me to have an informed opinion on Shadow of the Erdtree, but when something, it’s good to see FromSoftware proceed to mercilessly mess with gamers.
