Elden Ring Nightreign's First DLC: The Forsaken Hollows Delivers Vertical Thrills

The gaming community has been buzzing with excitement since FromSoftware dropped their latest DLC for Elden Ring Nightreign earlier this month. The Forsaken Hollows has finally arrived, and boy oh boy, it's a game-changer that's got players pulling all-nighters across the globe. After spending countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of this expansion, it's clear that FromSoftware hasn't lost their magic touch.

A Fresh Take on the Elden Ring Universe

"Have you checked out the new vertical map design? It's absolutely bonkers!" exclaimed Marcus, a veteran Souls player, as he navigated the treacherous paths of The Forsaken Hollows. Unlike Limveld's familiar terrain that players had grown accustomed to in the base game, this new Shifting Earth map breaks the mold completely with its emphasis on verticality.

The developers have really outdone themselves this time. The Forsaken Hollows doesn't just rehash existing areas – it introduces an entirely new playground that forces players to think differently about movement and combat. It's like they took the phrase "raise the bar" quite literally, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.

New Characters That Pack a Punch

The DLC introduces two new playable characters that have quickly become fan favorites: the Undertaker and the Scholar. Each brings their own unique playstyle to the cooperative experience.

"The Scholar's arcane abilities are straight-up OP in certain situations," Sarah commented while demonstrating some impressive spell combinations. "But the Undertaker? That dude is built different. His close-range capabilities make those nightmare bosses seem like a walk in the park."

What makes these characters particularly interesting is how they complement the existing roster. They don't just add variety – they introduce entirely new strategic possibilities for team compositions. It's like FromSoftware looked at the meta that had developed and thought, "Let's shake things up a bit, shall we?"

Boss Battles That'll Make You Sweat

One cannot discuss a FromSoftware title without mentioning the boss encounters, and The Forsaken Hollows delivers in spades. The addition of legendary figures from previous titles like Knight Artorias and the Divine Beast Dancing Lion as day 1 and 2 bosses is a stroke of genius. These aren't just recycled enemies; they've been reimagined for the cooperative format of Nightreign.

"When Artorias showed up, I nearly dropped my controller," admitted Josh, who was streaming his first encounter with the legendary knight. "It was like meeting an old friend who immediately tried to murder me. Talk about complicated relationships!"

The new expedition bosses also deserve special mention. Without spoiling too much, let's just say they'll test even the most coordinated teams. The difficulty curve is just right – challenging enough to make victory feel earned but not so punishing that it becomes a rage-quit simulator.

Unlocking the DLC: A Journey in Itself

Getting access to The Forsaken Hollows content is straightforward but requires a bit of in-game progress. Players who already own the Digital Deluxe Edition are good to go, while others will need to shell out $14.99 USD – a fair price given the amount of content on offer.

The actual unlock process is cleverly integrated into the game's narrative. After completing two Nightlord expeditions, players need to visit the jar merchant in the Roundtable Hold, who directs them to a previously locked door. This leads to an unexpected encounter with the Dreglord while the two new characters are already engaged in battle.

"That first encounter with the Dreglord is a real 'throw you in the deep end' moment," laughed Elena, who had just unlocked the content. "Win or lose, you're getting those new characters. FromSoftware basically saying 'it's not about the destination, it's about the journey' – except the journey involves getting your butt handed to you."

After this encounter, players can speak with the Undertaker and Scholar to unlock them as playable characters and gain access to The Great Hollow Shifting Earth. From there, it's a matter of completing the new Balancers mission to unlock the final expedition.

New Equipment: Fashion Souls Evolved

Let's not forget about the gear! The Forsaken Hollows introduces several new equipment pieces that are not just visually stunning but also introduce interesting mechanics.

"Have you seen the Hollow Crown set? It's giving major 'don't mess with me' vibes," remarked Tanya, showing off her character's new look. "And it's not just for show – the set bonus actually makes sense for aggressive playstyles."

The new weapons deserve special mention too. Without getting too into the weeds with stats and scaling, let's just say that the designers have created tools that encourage experimentation rather than simply powercreeping existing options. It's refreshing to see gear that makes you reconsider your approach rather than just offering bigger numbers.

The Community Response

The response from the Elden Ring community has been overwhelmingly positive. From Reddit threads to Discord channels, players are sharing their experiences, strategies, and of course, the inevitable memes.

"This DLC is the bee's knees!" proclaimed veteran player Richard. "The way FromSoftware keeps breathing new life into the formula is nothing short of magical. Just when you think you've seen it all, they pull another rabbit out of the hat."

Not everything has been smooth sailing, though. Some players have reported occasional performance issues in particularly dense areas of The Forsaken Hollows, and there have been a few balance concerns regarding certain boss encounters. However, given FromSoftware's track record with post-launch support, these issues will likely be addressed in upcoming patches.

Looking Forward

The Forsaken Hollows represents just the beginning of FromSoftware's post-launch plans for Elden Ring Nightreign. With the quality bar set this high for the first DLC, expectations for future content are through the roof.

What's particularly exciting is how this expansion has opened up new narrative possibilities. Without venturing into spoiler territory, the events that unfold in The Forsaken Hollows hint at even grander adventures to come. The lore implications alone have given the community enough material to theorize about for months.

As one player eloquently put it: "FromSoftware doesn't just create games; they craft worlds that live rent-free in our heads long after we've put down the controller."

Whether you're a seasoned Elden Ring veteran or someone who's been on the fence about jumping into Nightreign, The Forsaken Hollows offers an experience that's well worth your time and money. It's not just more of the same – it's a thoughtful expansion that pushes the boundaries of what made the base game special in the first place.

So grab your friends, sharpen your weapons, and prepare to descend into The Forsaken Hollows. Just remember: in true FromSoftware fashion, death is not the end – it's just another learning opportunity. And you'll have plenty of those, trust me on that one!