Unveiling a Hidden Elden Ring Cutscene That Players Have Yet to Experience

Four years after its release, you’d think that fans of Elden Ring would have unearthed every last bit of dialogue and lore hidden within FromSoftware’s expansive RPG. However, dataminer Lance McDonald has stumbled upon a significant new find that offers insight into the game’s mysterious DLC antagonist, Miquella the Kind.

McDonald, a well-known expert in the Soulslike genre, discovered this cut content in an unused map file for the Haligtree area, where players typically face the formidable Malenia boss. The scene features Miquella, Malenia’s twin brother, during the moment he first planted a sapling Haligtree and nourished it with his blood.

In the video description, McDonald explained, “This is a look at a never-before-seen map file where a cutscene was filmed for Elden Ring, which showed Miquella planting the Haligtree, as well as the process through which, during earlier development and testing, this cutscene was intended to have been played.” He noted on X that reconstructing the scene took months of research and analysis.

“Without the intermediate cutscene file to connect these together, it’s difficult to know for sure which of these are intended for playback during this specific video,” he mentioned in the voiceover. According to McDonald, this cutscene would have played when players received the Dectus Medallion from Gideon Ofnir at Roundtable Hold.

The voiced dialogue in the files reads: “Young seedling, young seedling, grow larger, stronger. My dear twin, accept this gift, a gift of abundance. My last drop of dew. Let all things flourish, whether graceful or malign. If thou coveteth the throne, impress my vision upon thine heart. In the new world of thine making, all things will flourish, whether graceful or malign.”

With Miquella set to be a central figure in Shadow of the Erdtree, the substantial and highly anticipated 2024 expansion, this cut sequence adds depth to his character and hints at his future ambitions to dominate the land. The scene also foreshadows events near the end of the DLC, providing fans with additional context to better understand Miquella’s motivations and actions. Perhaps this cut sequence could even make its way into the upcoming live-action adaptation.