Mastermind Recreates Elden Ring in Excel

A Reddit user, brightyh360, shared an incredible project on the r/excel subreddit: a top-down version of Elden Ring recreated entirely 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 payoff was immense."

This impressive Excel game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
• Over 60 unique weapons;
• More than 50 different enemy types;
• A robust character and weapon upgrade system;
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) with varied playstyles;
• 25+ armor sets;
• Six NPCs, each with their own quests;
• Four possible game endings.

While completely free to play, controlling the game requires keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. 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 sparked a Christmas Eve discussion among Elden Ring fans, resembling a festive Christmas tree. Reddit user Independent-Design17 suggested the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a possible inspiration for the Erdtree's design. They highlighted the striking visual similarity between the in-game Small Erdtrees and the Nuytsia. Furthermore, fans noted deeper thematic connections: the catacombs at the Erdtree's base, where souls are guided in Elden Ring, mirror 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.