A fan has completely recreated the Elden Ring in Excel

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 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 remarkable Excel game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
• Over 60 weapons;
• More than 50 enemies;
• Character and weapon upgrade systems;
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin) with unique playstyles;
• 25+ armor sets;
• Six NPCs with accompanying quests;
• Four different game endings.

While entirely free to play, the game utilizes keyboard shortcuts for control: 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 has drawn comparisons 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 highlighted the striking resemblance between the game's smaller Erdtrees and the Nuytsia, noting deeper symbolic parallels. In Elden Ring, catacombs at the Erdtree's base represent the resting place of souls. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture considers Nuytsia a "spirit tree," associating its vibrant colors with the sunset—the perceived pathway of spirits—and each flowering branch with a departed soul.