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 impressive feat took 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 undertaking, but the outcome was well worth the effort."
The Excel game boasts an impressive array of features:
- 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 with engaging quests;
- Four different game endings.
While completely free to play, controlling the game relies on keyboard shortcuts: 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 Erdtree sparked a festive comparison to a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. User Independent-Design17 suggested the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a potential inspiration for the Erdtree's design. They highlighted the striking resemblance between the in-game Small Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, noting further parallels between the game's lore and Aboriginal culture. In Elden Ring, catacombs are situated at the Erdtree's roots, serving as a resting place for souls. Similarly, Nuytsia holds spiritual significance in Aboriginal culture, its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the perceived pathway for spirits, and each flowering branch representing a departed soul.
