A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible project on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel. This feat of programming prowess took approximately 40 hours – 20 hours dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly stated the accomplishment was well worth the extensive effort.
This impressive Excel game boasts an astonishing level of detail:
- A sprawling 90,000-cell map.
- Over 60 unique weapons.
- More than 50 different enemy types.
- A fully functional character and weapon upgrade system.
- Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, and assassin), each with unique playstyles.
- 25+ armor sets to customize your character.
- Six non-player characters (NPCs), each with their own quests.
- Four different game endings to discover.
While entirely free to play, controlling the game requires keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, but users are advised to proceed with caution due to the significant number of macros.
Interestingly, the game's Erd Tree has drawn comparisons to a Christmas tree, especially around Christmas Eve. Reddit user Independent-Design17 suggests the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have served as inspiration. They highlight the striking visual similarities between the in-game Small Erd Trees and the Nuytsia, noting further parallels between the game's lore and Aboriginal beliefs. In Elden Ring, catacombs are located at the Erd Tree's roots, a resting place for souls. Similarly, Aboriginal culture considers Nuytsia a "spirit tree," associating its vibrant colors with the sunset, the supposed journey of spirits, and its flowering branches with the souls of the departed.
