A fan has completely recreated the Elden Ring 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 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 well worth the extensive effort.

This impressive spreadsheet game boasts:

• A massive 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, each with their own quests;
• Four different game endings.

While entirely free to play, users control the game via 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 game's Erdtree has sparked a fascinating connection to real-world botany. Some players noted its resemblance to a Christmas tree, leading user Independent-Design17 to suggest the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a potential inspiration. They pointed out the striking similarity between in-game Small Erdtrees and this species. Beyond superficial resemblance, deeper parallels exist: the catacombs at the base of the Erdtree in Elden Ring, where souls are guided, 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.