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 monumental undertaking consumed 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 project, but the outcome was well worth the effort."

The impressive recreation boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
• Over 60 weapons;
• More than 50 enemies;
• A comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system;
• Three distinct character classes (tank, mage, assassin), each with unique playstyles;
• 25+ armor sets;
• Six NPCs with associated 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 interactions. Reddit moderators have verified the file's safety, however, users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, many Elden Ring enthusiasts noted a resemblance between the game's Erdtree and a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. User Independent-Design17 suggested the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, as a potential inspiration. They highlighted the striking similarity between the in-game Small Erdtrees and this particular species. Further comparisons reveal deeper connections: the catacombs at the base of the Erdtree in Elden Ring, where souls are guided, mirror the Aboriginal Australian perception of Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its vibrant colors associated with the sunset, the supposed pathway of spirits, and each flowering branch symbolizing a departed soul.