Summary
The recent slate of promotional material forElden Ring’s Shadow of the ErdtreeDLC revealed a possible new friend or foe: a cute, slightly terrifying, glowing worm-like creature. As is so often the case fornon-human NPCs inElden Ring, the worm-like being has become the subject of countless memes, serving as something of a mascot for the DLC. While virtually nothing is known about the worm, there’s a good chance it will be anything but disappointing.
As instantly recognizable and totemic as FromSoftware’s game design has become, the studio still manages to regularly subvert audience expectations. These subversions can come in the form of major reveals or plot twists, but the subversive spirit is just as frequently present in the finer details of each game. Nowhere is this more apparent than inElden Ring, whose numerous side quests, hidden secrets, and diverse NPCs provide fertile ground for surprises both pleasant and horrific. This trend will no doubt continue in Shadow of the Erdtree, which will hopefully feature several characters, locations, and ideas that are more than what they seem upon first glance.
Cute or Heartbreaking, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s Worm NPC Will Surely Be Memorable
There’s a Good Chance the Shadow of the Erdtree Worm Will Take a Dark Turn
Elden Ringhas a penchant for tragic storytelling, continuing FromSoftware’s long-enduring tradition of presenting players with faint glimmers of hope in a dark world, then ripping them away at the last minute. While it’s certainly not as dire and depressing as a game likeBloodborne,Elden Ringfeatures several instances of nihilistic storytelling that can sometimes border on sadistic. This narrative flavor may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is nothing if not memorable.
If FromSoftware maintains this trend for the DLC, then it’s quite possible that the adorable blue worm won’t be very cute for long. The worm could devolve into a menacing or inconspicuously challenging boss encounter,forcingElden Ringplayers to killthe ostensibly lovable NPC. Alternatively, the worm could remain friendly, but be taken down by an outside force, perhaps falling victim to scarlet rot or some other disease, or betraying the player-character in some less direct manner. Either way, a dark or surprising turn would make for solid meme fodder, or at least provide a unique bit of lore.
The worm could simply be a standard enemy type, but this would be the most underwhelming route for FromSoftware to take.
The Shadow of the Erdtree Worm: An Unexpected Ally
FromSoftware developers, contrary to the beliefs of some gamers, are not totally heartless; games from the famous studio have contained their fair share of heartwarming and wholesome moments to balance out the darkness. Surprisingly cute in-game elements, likeBloodborne’s friendly yet creepy Messengers, though rare in FromSoftware games, do exist, and the blue worm could be one of them. Perhaps players could assist the blue worm in some way, leading to a smaller side quest that ends with an ending that is at least somewhat happy. The worm could also be more of a background ally, maybe being unlocked as a summon and boasting some goofy combat abilities befitting of its unassuming appearance.
Intent is at the heart ofElden Ring: enemies, items, and locations are always included for a specific reason and not just tossed into the mix haphazardly. With any luck, this tradition will carry on into Shadow of the Erdtree, with the internet’s favorite worm-like creature being more than just a random encounter or set dressing. At the very least, the character will probablykeep theElden Ringdog memealive.
Elden Ring
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
