Elden Ring Meticulously Rebuilt in Excel

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 monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours – 20 hours dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly stated, "I made the top view version of Elden Ring in Excel using formulas, spreadsheets and VBA. It was a long project, but the result was worth it."

The impressive scope of this Excel-based game includes:

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

While entirely free to play, the game utilizes keyboard shortcuts for control: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interactions. 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 a fascinating comparison to real-world flora. On Christmas Eve, some Elden Ring fans noted its resemblance to a Christmas tree. User Independent-Design17 proposed the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a potential inspiration. They highlighted the striking visual similarity between the game's smaller Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, and further noted deeper thematic parallels. In Elden Ring, catacombs located at the Erdtree's roots serve as the resting place for souls. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture considers Nuytsia a "spirit tree," associating its vibrant colors with the sunset – the believed pathway of spirits – and each flowering branch with the soul of the departed.