Excel Masterpiece: Entire Elden Ring Built by Ingenious Fan

A Reddit user, brightyh360, shared an incredible project on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring recreated entirely in Microsoft Excel. This monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours – 20 hours for coding and another 20 for testing and debugging. The creator proudly declared the result well worth the effort.

This impressive Excel-based game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map.
• Over 60 weapons.
• More than 50 enemies.
• Character and weapon upgrade systems.
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) with unique playstyles.
• 25+ armor sets.
• Six NPCs with associated quests.
• Four different game endings.

While completely free to play, control relies on keyboard shortcuts: 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 Erd Tree has drawn 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. The resemblance between the game's smaller Erd Trees and the Nuytsia is striking. Furthermore, the connection deepens when considering the cultural significance of the Nuytsia as a "spirit tree" in Australian Aboriginal culture, mirroring the Elden Ring's depiction of catacombs at the Erd Tree's roots as a destination for departed souls. The Nuytsia's vibrant colors, associated with the sunset and the journey of spirits, further strengthen this parallel, with each flowering branch representing a departed soul.