A fan has completely recreated the Elden Ring in Excel

Reddit user brightyh360 recently shared an incredible achievement on the r/excel forum: a top-down version of Elden Ring, painstakingly recreated in Microsoft Excel. This monumental project, clocking in at approximately 40 hours (20 hours coding, 20 hours testing and debugging), utilizes formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA to bring the game to life.

The resulting Excel game boasts an impressive array of features: a 90,000-cell map, over 60 weapons, 50+ enemies, character and weapon upgrade systems, three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) each with unique playstyles, 25+ armor sets, six NPCs with quests to complete, and four different endings.

While entirely free to play, controlling the game requires using keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, though users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, the game's Erd Tree sparked a discussion amongst Elden Ring fans, with some likening it to a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. User Independent-Design17 suggested the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a possible inspiration. They noted striking similarities between the in-game Small Erd Trees and the Nuytsia, extending beyond superficial resemblance. The connection deepens when considering the game's lore: catacombs located at the Erd Tree's roots serve as a destination for the souls of the deceased. Similarly, Australian Aboriginal culture regards Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset—the perceived path of spirits—and each flowering branch symbolizing a departed soul.