A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible feat on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel. This monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours – 20 dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly declared the effort worthwhile, given the impressive final product.
This Excel adaptation boasts a remarkable level of detail, including:
- A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
- Over 60 weapons;
- More than 50 enemy types;
- Character and weapon upgrade systems;
- Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) with unique playstyles;
- 25+ armor sets;
- Six non-player characters (NPCs) with associated quests;
- Four different game endings.
While completely free to access, the game utilizes keyboard shortcuts for control: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interactions. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, although users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.
Interestingly, the game's Erdtree has drawn comparisons to a Christmas tree, particularly on Christmas Eve. 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 Erdtrees and this real-world counterpart. Further parallels exist in the game's lore: Catacombs, located at the Erdtree's roots, serve as the resting place for souls. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture venerates Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," associating its vibrant colors with the sunset – the perceived pathway for spirits – and each flowering branch with the soul of a deceased individual.
