A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible achievement on the r/excel subreddit: a fully playable top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel. This monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours – 20 dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly declared the result well worth the effort.
This impressive Excel 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) with unique playstyles;
- 25+ armor sets;
- Six NPCs, each with their own quests;
- Four different 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 Erd Tree has sparked a fascinating connection with real-world flora. One Reddit user, Independent-Design17, pointed out a striking resemblance between the in-game Erd Tree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. The similarities extend beyond superficial resemblance; the game's catacombs, located at the Erd Tree's roots and serving as a resting place for souls, mirror the Aboriginal Australian culture's perception of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the purported path of spirits, and each flowering branch symbolizing a departed soul.
