Ready to dive back into the Lands Between?
But this time, with friends?
Elden Ring Nightreign, the standalone co-op adventure from FromSoftware, is launching on May 30th for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.
Forget lone-wolfing it through Caelid; this is about banding together and facing the encroaching night as a team.
But is it any good?
Is it just a quick cash-grab or a genuine evolution of the Elden Ring formula?
Let’s break it down.
A New Kind of Souls Experience?
Forget what you know about Elden Ring’s sprawling, solitary exploration.
Nightreign throws you into the deep end of three-player co-op PvE combat.
The core loop is simple: survive the encroaching night, upgrade your characters, and take down a formidable boss.
Think Elden Ring meets roguelike meets…
well, we’ll get to that.
This isn’t your leisurely stroll through the open world; this is a full-blown sprint.
But how does it actually feel?
The fast-paced gameplay and focus on split-second decision-making are immediately apparent.
The “Nights Tide” mechanic constricts your explorable area over time, forcing you to always be on your toes.
And that final showdown with a powerful boss?
Prepare to work for it.
This is still a FromSoftware game, after all!
Fast-Paced Co-op: Adapt or Perish
Here’s the deal: Elden Ring Nightreign demands a different mindset compared to its predecessor.
The single-player experience allowed for a more methodical approach, but in Nightreign, constant communication and awareness of your squad’s movements are paramount.
Whether you’re sticking together like glue or venturing out separately, those ticking clocks will force you to work.
Upgrades are crucial, and the urgency will push you to embrace fast-paced gameplay and split-second decision-making.
To survive, learn to read the map, communicate with your team, and always keep an eye on the creeping darkness.
Sounds intense, right?
Nightreign introduces new actions and movements, like wall jumping and Spectral Hawk traversal.
Oh, and don’t worry about fall damage.
You can leap off cliffs like a pro, and with the super sprint, you’ll almost feel like you’re speedrunning the game.
It’s a unique experience, feeling reminiscent of the original but still delivering something entirely new.
Reviving Allies: A Bloody Good Mechanic
Here’s where things get interesting.
If a teammate is near death, you can actually attack them to revive them.
Yes, you read that right.
Think of it as a bizarre form of concussive therapy.
Long-range attacks work too, allowing you to rescue fallen comrades from a safe distance.
Keep in mind, repeated deaths increase the meter needed for revival.
That’s just how it is in Limveld.
During the day, failure to rescue means respawn after death.
At night, allies simply remain incapacitated until you pull them back from the brink of death.
This adds another layer of risk to the game.
Visiting a Site of Grace resets the meter, so keep it in mind during play.
Because if that meter gets too high, you and your team will face some challenging circumstances, where you have to work together more to survive.
Here is a graphic of the revive times increasing for each death:
Note: Chart is for illustrative purposes only.
Actual revive times may vary.
The Thrill of Victory (And the Sting of Defeat)
Despite the differences, the core FromSoftware DNA remains: overcoming a challenging boss is incredibly satisfying.
Expect to fail.
A lot.
Learning boss attack patterns, strategizing with your team, and adapting to each encounter are key to victory.
One thing to keep in mind – Don’t get discouraged when the losses start to add up.
The game is designed for trial and error, just like Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
But when you finally conquer a boss, that feeling of accomplishment?
Priceless.
My team failed our first four runs but the final run got the victory after strategizing and studying the boss moves.
Each run averaged about 35-40 minutes, completing five runs during our four-hour hands-on, and we ultimately took down the Nightlord on the third day of our final session.
The thrill of that victory was awesome!
Here is a review of Elden Ring Nightreign by IGN:
Co-op is King (and Queen)
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Rescuing near-death teammates and sharing resources is key to success.
Coordinate your movements using map pins, tackle major enemies together, and upgrade those flasks at the churches.
Communication is so important, too.
As everyone gets comfortable with their characters and understands how to use them, they can use unique abilities and Ultimates effectively.
The solidarity is a true highlight of the co-op experience.
It’s a great feeling to know that the team is working together, supporting each other, and ultimately striving for the same goal, no matter the challenges.
Pre-Orders and Editions: What You Need to Know
Elden Ring Nightreign is available for pre-order now on all digital platforms and at major game retailers.
Here’s a breakdown of the available editions:
- Standard Edition: Includes the base game.
- Deluxe Edition: Includes the base game, DLC Code, Digital Artbook, and Digital Mini Soundtrack.
- Seekers Edition: Includes the Deluxe Edition, packed in a Steelbook.
- Collectors Edition: Includes the base game on disc (or a code), DLC Code, 25 cm Wylder statue, Steelbook, Hardcover Artbook, 8 Nightfarer Cards, and Digital Soundtrack.
For the ultimate collector, a 1:1 scale replica of the Wylder helmet is also available for pre-order, limited to 9999 pieces and including a certificate of authenticity.
A Standalone Adventure: Reimagining the Elden Ring Experience
Elden Ring Nightreign is designed to offer a completely new gaming experience within the Elden Ring universe.
It reimagines the core design of the original game, focusing on co-op multiplayer and fast-paced action.
But how does it really play?
Here is a video review from Iron Pineapple.
It is VERY weird!
Watch for more information.
Imagine Elden Ring as a roguelike!
In groups of three, players battle through two day-and-night cycles before facing one of eight Nightlords.
The map feels like an instanced dungeon with randomized loot and enemy placements in each run.
The choice of Nightlord determines the bosses you face at the end of each day, taken from across the Souls games with tweaked movesets and mechanics.
Time Management is Key
A day lasts around 15 minutes, during which you must prepare for battle, defeat enemies for runes, discover weapons, collect flasks, and battle minibosses for boons.
The azure firestorm closes in, sapping player health and forcing you towards a boss encounter by nighttime.
Beat that boss, and it’s on to day two, on the same map, to continue exploring and preparing before the second night’s boss.
The third day is solely a boss fight in a separate location.
So, should you focus on defeating smaller enemies for runes, or risk exploring subterranean dungeons where the loot is better but the encroaching storm is harder to evade?
Should you make a beeline for churches to improve your healing, or focus instead on defeating minibosses for attribute buffs?
Loot is always worth grabbing.
Weight is removed, and sub-effects always apply!
The speed of the gameplay is a big change from Elden Ring.
Sites of Grace automatically heal you, leveling has been streamlined to just HP, FP, and Stamina, and characters have a galloping sprint.
Plus, fall damage is gone, and parkour abilities let you vault over obstacles.
Freedom!
Now, how do you manage and coordinate play as a team?
Here is a summary of key points:
- Drop pins on the map
- Make sure that all players are headed towards the same direction
- Tackle major overworld enemies together
- Upgrade flasks at the churches
- Take time to learn the unique characteristics of their characters
The Nightfarers: Choose Your Destiny
Instead of creating characters from scratch, you must choose a specific hero, each with their own unique skills and dodge style.
This preview build has four available: Wylder, Guardian, Recluse, and Duchess.
They loosely fit certain archetypes – Wylder is your all-rounder, while Guardian is a tank – but this is more of a starting point for your run.
Interestingly, players can select the same character if they wish.
For example, all three players can be Wylder, if that is their desire.
The final game has eight Nightfarers to play.
Effective use of unique skills is imperative and they’re a lot of fun to use.
As you play the game, take the time to learn about each player and its unique skills.
Speaking of the Nightfarers, here’s a great deep dive from VaatiVidya:
Final Thoughts: Is Nightreign Worth the Hype?
Elden Ring Nightreign is a unique and potentially addictive experience.
The fast-paced gameplay, focus on co-op, and roguelike elements create a compelling loop that sets it apart from the original Elden Ring.
It might not be for everyone.
Players who prefer a slower-paced, solo experience might find it too frantic.
However, for those seeking a fresh take on the Souls-like formula, Nightreign offers a thrilling and rewarding adventure.
It’s the perfect fix while we wait for Shadow of the Erdtree!
The price?
Expect to drop $40 for this adventure across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
So, Tarnished, are you ready to rise together and conquer the night?
Or will you succumb to the encroaching darkness?
The Lands Between await.
Elden Ring Nightreign: Your Questions Answered
What is Elden Ring Nightreign?
Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone co-op adventure from FromSoftware, launching on May 30th, where players team up to face the encroaching night in the Lands Between.
How many players can play Elden Ring Nightreign together?
Elden Ring Nightreign supports three-player co-op PvE combat.
What are some of the new mechanics in Elden Ring Nightreign?
Nightreign introduces mechanics like the “Nights Tide” that constricts your explorable area, wall jumping, and Spectral Hawk traversal, as well as a unique revival mechanic where you attack a near-death teammate to revive them.
What happens if a teammate dies in Elden Ring Nightreign?
If a teammate is near death, you can attack them to revive them.
However, repeated deaths increase the meter needed for revival.
Failure to rescue during the day means respawn after death, while at night, allies remain incapacitated until revived.
What are the different editions of Elden Ring Nightreign available for pre-order?
The available editions include the Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, Seekers Edition, and Collectors Edition, each offering different bonus content.
How is Elden Ring Nightreign different from the original Elden Ring?
Elden Ring Nightreign focuses on fast-paced co-op gameplay and roguelike elements, differing from the original’s sprawling, solitary exploration.
It features streamlined leveling, removed fall damage, and parkour abilities.
Final Verdict: Embracing the Night Together
Elden Ring Nightreign offers a thrilling and unique co-op experience within the Elden Ring universe.
Its fast-paced gameplay and roguelike elements provide a compelling alternative to the original game’s solo exploration.
While it might not appeal to those seeking a slower-paced experience, Nightreign delivers a rewarding adventure for players looking to conquer the Lands Between with friends.
Ready to Dive In?
Here’s What’s Next
- Pre-order Elden Ring Nightreign on your preferred platform.
- Gather your friends and coordinate your roles and characters.
- Prepare for a challenging but rewarding co-op experience!
