A Reddit user, brightyh360, 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 "worth it."
This impressive spreadsheet game boasts:
- 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), each with unique playstyles;
- 25+ armor sets;
- Six NPCs with associated quests;
- Four different game endings.
While completely free to play, users must navigate the game using keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interactions. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, but users are advised to proceed with caution due to the extensive use of macros.
Interestingly, the in-game Erdtree sparked a Christmas Eve discussion among Elden Ring fans, resembling a festive tree. User Independent-Design17 proposed the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a possible inspiration. They highlighted the striking resemblance between the game's smaller Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, noting deeper thematic parallels. The game's catacombs, located at the Erdtree's base and serving as a resting place for souls, mirror 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 representing a departed soul.
