So, does this mean the developers intended for us to focus primarily on the box-like environments and merely glance over other areas? Clearly, that's not the case, which brings me to my next point.

3."The large map falls short of being 'open' as an open-world and lacks the 'refinement' expected of a grand box-like environment."

I'm actually quite nervous writing this sentence, as this multi-layered map design has been praised repeatedly by many. As a practitioner in the field, their map design is indeed "ingenious": The vast world in the DLC resembles more of a large-scale box garden than an "open world," with many seemingly connected areas actually being blocked off, requiring players to find key points to pass through. Therefore, it necessitates a meticulous exploration of the wilderness by the players, discovering these interconnected regions and the elusive paths between them. Some are truly outrageous, such as the fragments of the Ancient Ruin of Rauh's map, which are located by navigating a river course tens of thousands of miles away from the ruin itself.

However, as a non-traditional soulgame gamer who prefers a 60% open-world exploration and 40% box experience that is not overly hardcore, this layered experience leaves me feeling exhausted. It's as if I'm constantly navigating within a vast, rough box garden, where the sheer size prevents me from validating my judgments as promptly as in smaller box. As a result, I find myself frantically riding my horse across vast, barren lands with little to no exploratory value, all because of a misjudgment. Additionally, there are some bizarre one-way barriers that further complicate the experience. One area almost shattered my trust in Miyazaki, specifically the region below the hidden elevator in the Ancient Ruin of Rauh, after defeating the Dancing Loin. It turns out to be a complete one-way path, and the only way to return to other areas is through teleportation or death. That's bad. It doesn't align with my understanding of Elden Ring.

In contrast, I appreciate the pacing of the open-world exploration in Elden Ring more. The wilderness areas are reltively flat, with most of the pathways between regions clearly visible at first glance, eliminating the need for exhaustive back-and-forth searching. The sandbox, on the other hand, are sufficiently three-dimensional, offering intricate and Souls-like designs for those who wish to delve deeper into the architectural exploration. For those who prefer a more relaxed and enjoyable exploration, the wilderness provides just that, with surprises on both ends. The rewards found in the wilderness are no less impressive than those discovered within the box structures.

III. Combat Experience

When it comes to combat, I must admit it's not my forte, but I wholeheartedly agree with the criticisms from most players regarding the numerical balance and boss fights. Imagine being the newly crowned Elden Lord in the Lands Between, walking confidently into the Land of Shadow, donning your flashy outfit, only to be felled by a mere roadside dog. Swapping your stylish attire for practical, high-defense gear, you grit your teeth and finally make your way to the boss, intending to follow your usual routine of summoning allies, changing equipment, and chugging potions. However, even the first step — summoning your trusty brother：Mimic Tear — almost fails you.

Determined to press on, you resort to the tried-and-true tactic of rolling, but even three swift rolls aren't enough to evade the boss's devastating attacks. Frustrated and defeated, you reluctantly abandon your pride and delve into the very strategies you once dismissed, arming yourself with a massive shield and superweapon, determined to overcome this challenge by any means necessary, even if it means "wheelchair gaming" your way to victory.

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling this way, many players must have lost the will to engage in epic battles with overly formidable bosses, finding themselves drained of the energy and motivation to continue.

Each of the three points mentioned above may have differing positive and negative impacts on different players, and it's not for me to judge whether breaking these expectations is right or wrong from a personal perspective. However, what cannot be denied is the profound realization they have imparted upon me: This is not merely a continuation of "The Story of Elden Ring," but rather a unique new world within the same backdrop, governed by its own distinct survival rules. Perhaps this is precisely the significance of the DLC — to offer a fresh experience within a familiar universe.