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 results were well worth the effort."

The impressive in-Excel game boasts:

• A sprawling 90,000-cell map;
• Over 60 unique weapons;
• More than 50 distinct enemy types;
• A robust character and weapon upgrade system;
• Three playable classes (tank, mage, assassin) with diverse playstyles;
• 25+ armor sets;
• Six NPCs with engaging quests;
• Four distinct 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, but users are advised to exercise caution due to the extensive use of macros.

Interestingly, the game's Erdtree sparked a Christmas Eve discussion, with some comparing it to a festive Christmas tree. User Independent-Design17 proposed that the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, may have inspired the Erdtree's design. They highlighted the striking resemblance between the in-game Small Erdtrees and this real-world tree. Furthermore, fans noted deeper symbolic connections: the catacombs at the base of the Erdtree, where souls are led in Elden Ring, mirror the Aboriginal Australian 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.