Elden Ring Brilliantly Replicated in Excel Spreadsheet

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 stated the result was well worth the extensive effort.

This impressive Excel game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map.
• Over 60 unique weapons.
• More than 50 different enemy types.
• A robust character and weapon upgrade system.
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) offering varied gameplay.
• 25+ armor sets to customize your character.
• Six non-player characters (NPCs) with engaging quests.
• Four unique game endings.

The game is freely available, but players should note that control is achieved via keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. While Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, the game's Erdtree has sparked a comparison 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 game's catacombs, located at the Erdtree's roots and serving as a resting place for souls, mirror the Aboriginal Australian cultural view of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the supposed journey of spirits, and each flowering branch representing a departed soul.