In response to feedback from both reviewers and players, Bandai Namco has announced a forthcoming update for their game, Shadow of the Erdtree, aimed at making the game less challenging. The update, referred to as a "calibration update," focuses on strengthening the players to reduce the overall difficulty level.

According to the patch notes, the first half of the maximum blessing enhancements will provide increased attack and damage negation. Additionally, the second half of the enhancements will now progress in a more gradual manner. The final level of Blessing enhancements will also receive a slight increase in attack and damage negation.

To assist players on their journey, the update introduces Scadutree Fragments, which are specific upgrade materials available through DLC content. These fragments are scattered throughout the game map, requiring players to explore thoroughly in order to find them. The fragments significantly enhance a player's attack and defense capabilities, making them a valuable resource to acquire.

The update will primarily focus on leveling the playing field in the first half of the DLC content. This means that early game bosses, including the formidable Rellana, should become more manageable. Additionally, the final level of Blessing enhancements will receive a buff, providing additional support for players struggling against the challenging final boss.

On another note, the update also addresses a bug related to ray tracing settings. Players who load a previous save from a previous version of the game may find that ray tracing is automatically enabled, causing potential issues with frame rate. The patch notes advise players to check and disable ray tracing if they experience any performance problems.

The difficulty level of Shadow of the Erdtree has sparked heated debates among players and reviewers. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has defended the intentional difficulty, stating that lowering it could potentially disrupt the game's balance. However, some players, streamers, and reviewers argue that the difficulty level is excessive even for a Soulsborne game.

While this calibration update aims to alleviate the difficulty concerns, it is expected to further fuel the ongoing discussion. Players who have completed the game prior to the update may take pride in their accomplishment, particularly game journalists who have faced the challenge head-on.

Players can anticipate the arrival of the calibration update for Shadow of the Erdtree, which promises to bring a more balanced and accessible gaming experience.