FromSoftware may have earned global renown through the Souls series, but their expertise in masterful level architecture stretches back much further. My journey through their worlds has always been defined by these spaces—the intricate, interwoven pathways of Lordran, the claustrophobic, gothic avenues of Yharnam, and now, the vast, uncharted territories of the Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow. The true crown jewels of these open worlds, however, are the Legacy Dungeons. These are monumental, self-contained experiences that often house the demigods barring your path, serving as both formidable fortresses and poignant remnants of a shattered history. They are a beautiful fusion of the studio's signature tight, intricate design and the newfound freedom of exploration that Elden Ring champions. While each offers a distinct and rewarding challenge, some etch themselves into memory far more profoundly than others. With the monumental Shadow of the Erdtree expansion now part of the tapestry, introducing its own set of breathtaking and harrowing locales, the landscape of these dungeons has grown even richer. Let me walk you through these architectural marvels, from the intriguing to the utterly sublime.
9. Castle Ensis
While it may be on the smaller side, more akin to the scale of the Carian Manor than the sprawling Stormveil, Castle Ensis holds significant narrative weight within the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. This stronghold, filled with remnants of the Carian nobility, became the operational base for the formidable Rellana and stands as the sole gateway to the Scadutree Altus. It borrows aesthetic cues from the Carian Manor but exchanges mystical enchantments for the grim reality of warfare. The fortifications feel hastily assembled, with barricades strewn about, soldiers manning the walls, and ancient towers supplemented by crude, temporary barracks. In many ways, the castle is a physical manifestation of Rellana herself—abandoning her regal heritage and crystalline elegance to pursue a path of Deathless Death, shrouded in conflict and fog. 
8. Volcano Manor
Volcano Manor stands out as incredibly unique among Legacy Dungeons. Unlike most, its exploration is deeply entwined with the questline of the Recusants, a covenant you can choose to assist. This means you'll revisit its opulent, sinister halls multiple times, uncovering its secrets gradually rather than in one relentless push. The deceptive manor map hides its true scale. Behind its elegant walls lie the fiery depths of Mt. Gelmir, complete with flowing lava, lurking Magma Wyrms, strangely endearing serpentine creatures, and the dreaded Godskin Apostles. It functions as a torture chamber, an inquisition site, and even contains a ruined town for its cold-blooded inhabitants. Its non-linear structure, offering a backdoor to confront the Lord of Blasphemy himself, Rykard, makes it a fascinating, if slightly less concentrated, experience.
7. Raya Lucaria Academy
Upon entering the misty lakes of Liurnia, one structure dominates the horizon: the towering, crystalline spires of Raya Lucaria Academy. It sits as a central, admonishing monument, a tantalizing prize visible from almost anywhere. Stepping inside, however, reveals a place utterly divorced from the outside world. The halls are lined with studious, if hostile, scholars, the floors gleam with an unnatural sheen, and a mystical miasma hangs in the air. It feels like a self-sufficient, tightly guarded pocket dimension. Filled with secret passages, magical deathtraps, and absurd visual splendor, Raya Lucaria is a masterclass in classic Soulsborne dungeon design—a compact, challenging, and visually stunning labyrinth.
6. Crumbling Farum Azula
Elden Ring's world often hints at a deeper, lost history. You hear tales of ancient dragons and encounter mysterious Beastmen, but their origins remain obscured—until you light the Forge of the Giants. Awakening in Crumbling Farum Azula is a transcendent moment. This is a land suspended eternally within tornadoes, a place where time itself has broken down. Here, amidst the breathtaking ruins where light filters through crumbling pillars, you find the last bastion of the loyal Beastmen and the graves of the ancient dragons. The level design is brilliantly haphazard, built on precarious, layered ruins where warriors from all eras converge. The aeons of history are palpable in every stone, making Farum Azula feel truly distinct and mythic.
5. Miquella's Haligtree
Often whispered about but rarely seen, Miquella's Haligtree is a testament to tragic beauty and defiance. Unlike the radiant Erdtree, the Haligtree is a place of desperate hope, deeply corrupted by Scarlet Rot. Your journey begins on its treacherous, knotted outer branches, high above the ground. You then descend into the makeshift Haligtree Town, built by the outcast Misbegotten, before reaching the true marvel: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. This majestic, layered city-wall wraps around the great tree's trunk, offering breathtaking vistas and brutal challenges amidst the decay. The variety of environments—from precarious branches to elegant, ruined plazas—is unparalleled. As an entirely optional area culminating in one of the game's most infamous and glorious battles, the Haligtree doesn't just preach grace; it embodies a struggle for it.
4. Belurat, Tower Settlement & Enir-Ilim
The Realm of Shadow gently guides you first to Belurat, Tower Settlement. This Legacy Dungeon was once the home of the Hornsent, now a decaying city blanketed in the ashes of Messmer's crusade. Its twisting alleys and spiraling towers feel like a grim, shadowed reflection of Leyndell. Yet, Belurat is merely the foundation. It is the base of a colossal tower built to ascend to the heavens: Enir-Ilim. Secluded in shadow, Enir-Ilim clings to its divine purpose. Its design is one of relentless verticality, with structures climbing ever higher, each tower surpassing the last in a breathtaking architectural ascent toward the Divine Gateway. Together, they form a profound and fitting culmination to the expansion's narrative journey.
3. The Shadow Keep
The Shadow Keep is a monument to Marika's sin and her eternal punishment upon the Hornsent, her former oppressors. This dungeon is a masterwork of interconnected, non-linear design, acting as the central hub of the Realm of Shadow. You can access it from multiple points on the map, and it has no single prescribed path, encouraging true exploration. It condenses the best of Dark Souls' intricate, multi-layered level design into Elden Ring's framework, evoking memories of legendary locations like Anor Londo and New Londo Ruins. Its oppressive atmosphere, layered secrets, and sheer scale make it one of the greatest dungeon experiences in the entire game.
2. Stormveil Castle
From the moment you emerge in Limgrave, Stormveil Castle commands your attention—a decrepit fortress enshrouded in perpetual storms, home to the grafted demigod Godrick. It perfectly encapsulates what Elden Ring does best. It feels like a real, lived-in castle complex, not just a linear path. You must breach its outer walls, navigate the interior church and small township, avoid patrolling knights, and discover secret passages and precarious ledges. The freedom of movement and multiple route options make it a playground for exploration, a design that truly leverages the game's open-world mechanics to create a believable and thrilling stronghold.
1. Leyndell, Royal Capital
Leyndell, the Royal Capital, is a masterpiece of video game environment design. Hyped throughout the entire journey as the pinnacle of the Golden Order, it somehow surpasses all expectation. The emotional impact upon arrival is unparalleled, achieved not through a cutscene, but through masterful visual and auditory storytelling. Ascending the final steps to behold the giant, calcified dragon Gransax impaled through the city, while the haunting, hopeful melody of the Envoys' horns fills the air, is a moment of pure awe. Leyndell delivers on the promised density, feeling like a layered, living city with opulent avenues, hidden rooftops, and a vast, interconnected sewer system beneath. All the while, golden leaves from the Erdtree rain down, guiding you through its tragic, beautiful ruins. It is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of The Lands Between—a perfect area that combines scale, detail, lore, and emotion into an unforgettable experience.