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 entice. No, the supply of this concern is an easy, screeching fowl.
A sparse forest positioned southeast of the enlargement’s preliminary web site of grace checkpoint on the Gravesite Plain is likely one of the earliest landmarks you see (and might attain) in Shadow of the Erdtree. It’s there you’ll discover a couple of of the enlargement’s new crafting supplies, a troublesome 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 individuals off guard. Messages dot the bottom round these areas, cautioning fellow Tarnished to “hear fastidiously forward” and “be cautious of sound.” The ghostly emotes connected to the warnings depict brave-looking adventurers assuming the fetal place and elevating their palms 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 may be probably the most insane factor they’ve ever executed,” said one player on X (previously Twitter). “It’s not even an enemy you combat, they’re simply a part of the native fauna.”
“Dude, the fowl sounds are actually making me crap my pants,” another Redditor said.
“Rattling soar scares!” said a third. “Received me twice inside 20 minutes of beginning the DLC. Must get an Elden Ring-brand defibrillator.”
Soulsborne vets might keep in mind developer FromSoftware pulling the identical trick in Darkish Souls 3’s Irithyll Dungeon, the place choosing up sure objects would elicit a loud, horrifying scream from an unseen creature. The birds aren’t fairly as unhealthy, 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.