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Elden Ring Nightreign: Is It Worth Playing Solo?

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  • The Merits Of Playing Nightreign Alone

    • Learning The New Mechanics
    • Learning The Map
  • Why Solo-Play Isn’t Actually A Realistic Choice

    • It’s Not Scaled Down Nearly Enough
    • The Game Simply Isn’t Designed To Be Played Alone

Following countless discussions and anticipation about what Elden Ring Nightreign would eventually become, the long-awaited moment has arrived. Although our review had its fair share of mixed feelings, there remains a game here that numerous players are going to find incredibly enjoyable, provided they’re prepared to invest a significant effort.

One question lingering about the game was whether it would include a single-player option, given that Nightreign has predominantly been talked about as a three-player, online game. Given FromSoftware’s reputation for creating single-player games, could they manage to deliver a solo mode that offers the same quality of experience as playing with others?

It’s regrettably true that playing Nightreign on your own isn’t nearly as enjoyable as when you have a trio of Nightfarers to join forces with. In fact, the developers at FromSoftware endorse this too.

Despite its challenging nature, the game remains open for any brave solo player. However, I would not recommend it due to its high difficulty level when played at its maximum setting. Nonetheless, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider either way, so let’s explore these aspects.

The Merits Of Playing Nightreign Alone

While I wouldn’t recommend playing Nightreign solo for most players, it certainly isn’t without value. On the contrary, I believe it could offer a beneficial starting point for those who may find the game initially overwhelming.

Here’s why.

Learning The New Mechanics

In essence, Nightreign remains connected to the Elden Ring universe, yet it presents a distinctly altered experience compared to the original game. Regardless of whether you, like me, have invested more than 100 hours in The Lands Between, there will undoubtedly be an initial period of acclimation when you initially enter Limveld.

In this game, your characters exhibit significantly increased speed compared to typical games. A unique feature involves sliding further along the ground when you perform a 180-degree pivot and start running in the opposite direction. There’s also a swift sprint option available. Moreover, you can scale walls and traverse various surfaces with ease. Remarkably, there’s no fall damage in this game!

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that the updated combat experience feels refreshingly unique, with each character class boasting distinct powers and skills. The revamped item upgrade system and altered consumable layout offer a fresh take, while the reworked items/loadouts subtly transform certain game aspects into unfamiliar yet exciting territory.

Playing solo mode initially gives me an opportunity to familiarize myself with the game and build my confidence before teaming up with more experienced players. This way, I can perform at my best when we collaborate in multiplayer matches.

Learning The Map

In Nightreign, unlike other Elden Ring games, you won’t find any familiar locations from the main game or DLC, even though some assets or designs may be reused. Mastering navigation and hitting as many points of interest as possible in one run is essentially the core of Nightreign, so it’s essential to have a solid grasp on your route planning.

In this game, there’s barely any room for procrastination. With just two in-game sessions, each lasting approximately 15 minutes, you’ll need to jump right into preparing, farming, and leveling up as much as possible before facing the incredibly tough bosses at the end of each round.

As an avid gamer, I find that churches provide enhancements to my flask inventory, mines contain Somber Smithing Stones for weapon upgrades, and specific constructions ensure a field boss encounter to obtain the runes necessary for my character’s growth. If you’re hesitant in a multiplayer game and are unsure about how to make the most of your time, it spells doom for your team.

In such cases, playing solo can be quite beneficial. Since there’s no need to rush or meet deadlines, you have the freedom to roam around and discover what each element in the game world does, as well as understanding the significance of every map marker. Remember, this isn’t a competition to win; instead, focus on learning and absorbing as much information as possible before teaming up again.

Why Solo-Play Isn’t Actually A Realistic Choice

Despite discussing the benefits of a solo run in Nightreign, I’m surprisingly resistant to it. This could be because Nightreign isn’t designed with that particular experience in mind, although single-player mode is indeed an option within the game.

Frankly, it’s surprising that it was added at all, but let me move on. Here’s the reason why you might prefer not to try real run attempts by yourself.

It may seem straightforward, but attempting real runs can be challenging and potentially risky if done alone.

It’s Not Scaled Down Nearly Enough

Despite having a complete team of three players, the game Elden Ring: Nightreign remains incredibly challenging. Granted, FromSoftware titles are notoriously tough, but I assure you, I’ve played them all, and this one is particularly demanding even by their standards.

In essence, the game has been simplified for solo players who wish to take on the challenge, but sadly, it falls short significantly. The enemies and bosses remain excessively durable compared to other FromSoftware games, and there’s no opportunity to enhance your character through grinding levels.

Though I am quite skilled at Elden Ring, I found myself struggling immensely against most larger enemies in Nightreign when playing solo. To make matters worse, the final bosses on Day 3, specifically the Nightlords, posed an additional challenge for me.

In every round of play, the eight Nightlords function as your primary objectives. They’re exceptionally challenging adversaries, so tough that their health and attack power, reduced for a single player, are still overwhelming. It’s extremely unlikely that anyone could defeat them alone, making teamwork almost essential in 99% of cases.

The Game Simply Isn’t Designed To Be Played Alone

In both the leadership and layout of the game levels, it appears that multiplayer was given priority, or perhaps added only because it was considered necessary rather than being a core focus. For instance, certain areas place three bosses in a single arena, which seems to encourage players to divide and conquer, with each player tackling one opponent separately.

The initial Nightlord, named Gladius, transforms into three distinct wolf forms in its second phase. Controlling just one of these wolves can be challenging for three players, each focusing on a different wolf. For a solo player, the situation becomes nearly insurmountable as all three wolves simultaneously attack, leaving little hope for success, making “good luck” an understatement.

In a single-player mode, it’s challenging to explore all the points of interest due to the time constraint. Since you’re fighting enemies on your own, combat takes more time, which means you might not be able to gather enough runes for upgrades, or acquire all the necessary weapon and flask enhancements.

If your skills in the game are not exceptionally strong, it’s highly likely that you’ll enter each run significantly underleveled and with insufficient gear. This may even prevent you from reaching that point if you manage to progress that far. It would be beneficial to use single-player mode to grasp the fundamentals initially, but once you transition to multiplayer, don’t look back.

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2025-05-30 17:21

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