A fan has completely recreated the Elden Ring in Excel

A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible feat on the r/excel forum: a top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel. This monumental project, clocking in at approximately 40 hours (20 hours coding, 20 hours testing and debugging), utilizes formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA to bring the game to life.

The resulting creation boasts an impressive array of features: a 90,000-cell map; over 60 weapons; 50+ enemies; a robust character and weapon upgrade system; three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) each with unique playstyles; more than 25 armor sets; six NPCs with associated quests; and four different endings.

While completely free to play, the game relies on keyboard shortcuts for control: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, though users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, the game's Erdtree sparked a Christmas Eve discussion amongst Elden Ring fans, resembling a festive tree. User Independent-Design17 suggests the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have served as inspiration. They point to the striking similarity between the game's smaller Erdtrees and this species. Further comparisons highlight deeper thematic parallels: the catacombs located at the roots of the Erdtree, where souls are led in Elden Ring, mirror the Aboriginal Australian view of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the presumed path of spirits, and each flowering branch representing a departed soul.