In an unprecedented achievement, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has surpassed all expectations to become the highest-rated DLC of all time, according to renowned review aggregator Metacritic. With its release set for this Friday, critics have already chimed in, propelling the expansion to a remarkable Metacritic score of 95 based on 56 reviews.

This achievement has secured Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree a prominent position as the 36th highest-rated game on Metacritic's all-time list. Its base game, Elden Ring, boasts a score of 96 based on an impressive 93 critic reviews, further solidifying the franchise's growing reputation.

FromSoftware, the esteemed developer behind the Dark Souls series and Bloodborne, has always been known for their exceptional DLC offerings. However, the latest expansion for Elden Ring has surpassed even their previous efforts.

Comparing the acclaim, Dark Souls' DLC titled Artorias of the Abyss holds a respectable 89 on Metacritic, while Dark Souls 2's three expansions - Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King - received ratings of 82, 79, and 82 respectively. Dark Souls 3's Ashes of Ariandel achieved a score of 71, with The Ringed City managing to secure an 82. Bloodborne's sole expansion, The Old Hunters, earned an impressive 87 on the platform.

The reviews for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree have been overwhelmingly positive. VGC's Shadow of the Erdtree review describes it as a "sequel-sized sensation," asserting that it is not only an incredible expansion but also a worthy follow-up to one of the best games of the generation. Furthermore, VGC states that the expansion exceeds expectations, offering an experience that is both tighter and twice the expected length.

Prior to the release of the reviews, VGC's Jordan Middler hosted a Review Roundtable podcast where he discussed FromSoftware's latest expansion with industry experts Hamish Black from WritingOnGames, Jade King from TheGamer, and David Carcasole from PlayStation Universe. The insightful discussion shed light on the groundbreaking nature of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and its potential impact on the gaming industry.

As anticipation continues to build for the highly anticipated release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree this Friday, the accolades it has already received serve as a testament to FromSoftware's continued dedication to creating exceptional and immersive experiences for gamers worldwide. The stage is set for this DLC to make its mark in gaming history as a true masterpiece.