The concept that FromSoftware had for Elden Ring: Nightreign is one of those fresh, exciting ideas that can attract not just fans of the franchise but almost any gamer. Before the game launched, I thought the idea of a “multiplayer Elden Ring”—in the simplest sense—was one of the best directions the series could take. But now, after spending dozens of hours with Elden Ring: Nightreign, I’m not so sure that assumption was correct.
Nightreign feels more like a remix or rework than a true sequel. It features the same environments, the same enemies, and the same weapons—just mixed up in new combinations. What makes it more appealing, however, is the three-player co-op system, which injects a sense of teamwork and multiplayer depth into one of the greatest open-world games of the modern era.
Success Tied to Its Roots, but Needing More
The success of Elden Ring: Nightreign depends heavily on the original Elden Ring. But looking at it only through the lens of the first game and ignoring what this new version brings to the table would be unfair to modern gaming. The game’s roguelite elements help freshen up the original idea, adding a new layer of challenge and unpredictability.
That said, those elements aren’t enough on their own. From the very start, Nightreign presents itself with a unique, dark visual atmosphere. The zones are gloomier, with eerie landscapes that heighten the feeling of isolation and danger. And that’s just the beginning.
Gameplay: Familiar but Fierce
In terms of gameplay, Nightreign tries to offer a range of challenges. You’ll face familiar enemies, but with new attack patterns you’ll need to relearn. The game aims to be creative, though it doesn’t always succeed. Still, the world remains brutal and unforgiving—especially at night, when enemies become much more unpredictable and deadly.
As expected from a Soulslike, the boss fights are one of Nightreign’s strongest points. There are plenty of them, and the variety in design makes every encounter rewarding. This helps maintain that classic Soulslike feeling we’ve come to expect.
The Heart of the Game: Three-Player Co-Op
At its core, Elden Ring: Nightreign is built around its three-player co-op mode. When everything works as intended, this mode offers a near-perfect experience. In co-op, three players move through the world together, take down enemies, and search for better loot. This isn’t the slow-paced multiplayer you find in some games—it’s fast, chaotic, and full of action.
Each run takes around 45 minutes, forcing players to manage limited resources, fight unique bosses, and survive the dangers of the night. It’s thrilling and demands strategy.
But What About Solo Players?
However, the game introduces some major challenges, especially for solo players. The biggest problem is how tightly the game is designed around co-op gameplay. This isn’t just a matter of game balance—it affects the entire experience. Playing solo doesn’t feel satisfying, and for the first time in a Soulslike, the difficulty of facing enemies alone feels overwhelming and punishing.
Even for those who have finished past FromSoftware games alone, Nightreign doesn’t offer a smoother path. The voice chat system is weak, and the matchmaking has issues, making it hard to find or coordinate with teammates. So, while the game shines in multiplayer, the solo experience suffers greatly. FromSoftware has tried to address this with patches, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement for single-player support.
Exploration Feels Rushed
In the original Elden Ring, the joy of exploration was a key part of the experience. But in Nightreign, that sense of discovery has been replaced with quick, high-intensity expeditions. These are fun and exciting at first, but over time, they become repetitive.
The roguelite structure doesn’t quite blend well with the core of Elden Ring’s design. Each run starts to feel the same. One issue is that the best rewards are often at the end, making the journey feel less important than the destination. This shift in focus weakens the game’s impact compared to the original.
New Classes Bring Some Fresh Air
Despite its issues, Nightreign brings in some cool new features. One of them is the introduction of new classes, like Ironeye. This class opens up new playstyles, especially for ranged combat, and adds a fresh tactical layer to the experience.
The boss design also gives a nod to earlier games like Bloodborne and Sekiro. Some fans might see this as asset reuse, but thanks to the multiplayer setup, every boss encounter feels unique and replayable, which helps maintain the game’s energy.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?
If you love online co-op experiences and have two friends to play with, then Elden Ring: Nightreign is a fantastic multiplayer adventure that you can enjoy regularly. It captures the thrill of combat, the intensity of survival, and the fun of teamwork.
But if you’re planning to play it solo, enjoy exploration, or get bored with repetition, then Nightreign might not be the right fit for you—at least not yet.
