Elden Ring Brilliantly Reimagined in Excel

A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible project on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring recreated entirely within Microsoft Excel. This monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours – 20 hours dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly stated the accomplishment was "worth it."

This impressive Excel game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
• Over 60 unique weapons;
• More than 50 different enemy types;
• A comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system;
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) offering diverse 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 completely free to play, the game utilizes keyboard shortcuts for control: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, but users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, the game's Erdtree has sparked comparisons to a Christmas tree, particularly on 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 Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, noting deeper thematic parallels. The presence of catacombs at the base of the Erdtree, where souls are guided in Elden Ring, mirrors the Aboriginal Australian view of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the supposed path of spirits, and each flowering branch symbolizing a departed soul.