Elden Ring: Nightreign is coming and I am stoked!
 

My fellow Aliens. Let us rejoice in the bringing of another Elden Ring adventure! Miyazaki had me convinced that Elden Ring was over with Shadow of the Erdtree and our sights were to be set on a new story in the Fromsoft Soulslike escapade. This one is going to be a bit different if you haven’t looked into it. Elden Ring fans are split, as humans usually are, on whether this new type of Elden Ring gameplay is “good”. 

If you haven’t seen it yet! FromSoftware announced of Elden Ring: Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024 which, I'm sure with others, dropped my jaw to the floor instantly! Set as a standalone co-op game, this new title steps away from the sprawling single-player RPG model of Elden Ring, bringing in a new fast paced co-op gameplay akin to soulslike and the Elden Ring we love but not entirely the exact same.  

So, what is Elden Ring: Nightreign?
 

Nightreign is set in Limveld, a foreboding new region in the Elden Ring universe, that introduces players to a high-stakes, roguelite survival format that otherwise is not seen in soulslike games. Over the course of a three-day and night cycle, players must prepare for climactic battles against escalating boss threats, including the enigmatic "Nightlord", which has some fans in a real tiffy due to the resemblance of the Dark Soul's 'Nameless King'! Choose one of eight pre-designed characters that serve as the protagonists, each with unique abilities and ultimate skills tailored to strategic co-op play. While the game encourages group participation, solo adventurers won’t be left out, with adjustable difficulty and tailored challenges. Gamers can enjoy Nightreign either solo or up to 3-player co-op; there is no 2-player co-op available, at least as of writing this.  

This departure from traditional Elden Ring mechanics signals FromSoftware’s intent to experiment. The survival and co-op elements take precedence over the labyrinthine storytelling and solitary exploration that defined the original game, offering players a fresh lens on its dark fantasy world. 

Mixed Reactions from the Community
 

Miyazaki’s earlier declaration that Shadow of the Erdtree would be the final addition to the Elden Ring storyline left many fans longing for more. With Nightreign, FromSoftware shifts its focus, embracing multiplayer gameplay and faster-paced action. While some players see this as a welcome evolution of the franchise, others worry it marks a drift away from the depth and challenge that made Elden Ring a global phenomenon. 

Online forums and social media are alight with debate. Some applaud the introduction of roguelite elements and cooperative dynamics, seeing them as a way to attract new audiences and diversify FromSoftware’s portfolio. Others, however, express concern that the new approach might dilute the studio's signature focus on intricate lore and masterful difficulty design. 

Personally, I am excited for this new installment of Elden Ring. As one who experimented with the Elden Ring Seamless Co-op mod, it was so much fun to run around Limgrave with buddies – I wish Elden Ring proper had the ability for true co-op because, why not?! Aside from that, I do believe that this side-step, we’ll call it, from a true soulslike perspective absolutely will attract new gamers to the genre as a whole. I would need both hands and feet to count people I know personally that do not play Elden Ring (or soulslikes for that matter) because they are simply too hard or too ambiguous (more like too much of a skill gap amirite?). But in all seriousness, this new approach at a faster-paced co-op roguelite will definitely get my hesitant friends to jump in with me and experience the hint of the true genre for what it’s worth. Perhaps it will give them the taste needed to immerse themselves and try the true version on their own? Only time will tell there but I am optimistic in that regard. 

A Bold New Era or a Risky Gamble?
 

The announcement of Nightreign raises an important question: how does a studio like FromSoftware balance innovation with the expectations of its hardcore fanbase that flame people for using a mimic tear? As one of the most celebrated developers in the industry, the studio has earned a reputation for consistently delivering critically acclaimed titles. Whether Nightreign will be remembered as a bold new chapter or a misstep remains to be seen. 

Scheduled for release in 2025, Elden Ring: Nightreign has already sparked anticipation and speculation. Fans eagerly await more details, particularly how FromSoftware plans to integrate its iconic difficulty and world-building into a cooperative survival framework. 

What are your thoughts on this new direction for the Elden Ring universe? Let us know in the comments!