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 monumental undertaking consumed approximately 40 hours—20 hours dedicated to coding and another 20 to rigorous testing and debugging. The creator proudly stated, "I built a top-down Elden Ring in Excel using formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA. It was a lengthy project, but the results were well worth the effort."
This impressive Excel game boasts:
- A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
- Over 60 weapons;
- More than 50 enemies;
- A comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system;
- Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) with unique playstyles;
- 25+ armor sets;
- Six NPCs with accompanying quests;
- Four different game endings.
While completely free to play, users must utilize keyboard shortcuts for control: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interactions. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, though users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.
Interestingly, some Elden Ring enthusiasts have noted the resemblance of the Erdtree to a Christmas tree, particularly on Christmas Eve. Reddit user Independent-Design17 suggests the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have served as inspiration. They highlight the striking similarity between certain in-game "Small Erd Trees" and the Nuytsia. Furthermore, the connection deepens with the observation that catacombs, resting places for souls in Elden Ring, are located at the Erdtree's roots. This mirrors the Aboriginal Australian cultural 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.
