A Reddit user, brightyh360, recently shared an incredible project on the r/excel forum: a 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 remarkably detailed 90,000-cell map, over 60 weapons, 50+ enemies, a comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system, three distinct character classes (tank, mage, and assassin) each with unique playstyles, 25+ armor sets, six NPCs with individual quests, and four different game endings.
While completely free to play, controlling the game requires keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. While Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.
Interestingly, the game's Erd Tree sparked a festive comparison on Christmas Eve, with some fans likening it to a Christmas tree. User Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection, suggesting the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have served as inspiration. They highlighted the striking resemblance between the in-game Small Erd Trees and the Nuytsia, noting further parallels. In Elden Ring, catacombs located at the Erd Tree's roots guide the souls of the deceased. Similarly, Australian Aboriginal culture reveres Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," associating its vibrant colors with the sunset—the believed path of spirits—and viewing each flowering branch as the soul of a departed individual.
