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Elden Ring: Nightreign review – The Soulslike co-op dream is almost fully realized, and it’s glorious

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I started playing FromSoftware games ever since the initial release of “Dark Souls,” a game that’s nearly 14 years old now. The groundbreaking game that sparked a sub-genre and followed in the footsteps of 2009’s “Demon’s Souls” marked the beginning of something truly remarkable.

The vibe is that Elden Ring: Nightreign represents the next chapter in a journey that has been going on for quite some time now. FromSoftware has skillfully blended their signature challenging combat and open-world gameplay with a cooperative focus and elements from other genres to produce something distinctive yet not entirely flawless.

Dying is better with friends

For me, FromSoft’s cooperative play has always been a point of contention due to its complexity and difficulty. I’ve always yearned for more from it. Nightreign, while not the final destination for Soulslike co-ops, demonstrates the true potential of the developer in this area. Adding to this, the upcoming exclusive for Switch 2, The Duskbloods, indicates that FromSoft is pushing the boundaries of what their games will evolve into. So, don’t be shocked if the next major installments of Dark Souls or Elden Ring include seamless cooperative play from start to finish as an option.

In contrast to the studio’s earlier games where multiplayer seemed more of a bonus, Nightreign was intentionally designed for cooperative play. Solo play is an option, but it presents a challenging experience and seems somewhat at odds with the game’s purpose. While there’s enjoyment to be found, it’s truly optimized when played with friends or skilled players encountered through random matchmaking.

In 2025, it’s surprising that the game doesn’t support crossplay across platforms (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation). This feature is now standard, so ideally, all your friends should be on the same platform. Unfortunately, at launch, only teams of three are supported, not duos. Mastering this essential multiplayer aspect in 2025 is like defeating FromSoft’s final boss. Once conquered, the fun begins!

As a gamer, I can’t help but get excited about diving into the world of Nightreign! It’s like Elden Ring, but with a twist – you can team up with friends and explore this challenging game universe together. The developers have drawn inspiration from roguelikes and battle royale games to create an addictive, rewarding experience that’s not for the faint of heart. Just like their previous works, Nightreign promises to deliver a heart-pounding adventure!

As a dedicated fan, I must say, engaging in Elden Ring’s spine-tingling boss fights with my pals has never been more effortless than in this fresh adventure. In this unique setup, squads of three are transported into an ever-changing iteration of the game’s Limgrave map – we call it Limveld now, a land overtaken by the darkness of night.

Nightreign introduces eight distinct characters at its launch, each with their individual skills and backstories. Every journey begins by choosing a character, who can be enhanced as the game progresses through the acquisition of Relics, special items that grant temporary advantages. The experience offers an evolving adventure, seamlessly blending elements from battle royale and roguelike games to create an enticing atmosphere of combat.

Prepare to die and run like hell

As you embark on your journey, you’ll experience numerous deaths. However, each new endeavor brings knowledge about the terrain, the game’s personas and workings, and rewards in the form of discoverable and earned items that gradually simplify the challenge.

In every Nightreign match, the action unfolds across three consecutive gaming days, roughly 15 minutes apiece. Your objective is to dive in, strategize your path on the map, and annihilate as many enemies as possible to rapidly increase your level. Keep in mind that a storm boundary is closing in, so you’d better move swiftly! At the end of each day, when the circle completely seals, a boss battle ensues against a diverse assortment of adversaries from the main game and even past FromSoft games. These unexpected encounters with familiar foes who once vexed you are always exciting, adding an element of surprise to your gaming experience.

As a gamer, I managed to make it through the first night, and now I’m preparing myself for another day of challenges ahead. Next up is a tough boss fight that promises to be even more intense than before, setting me up against a formidable adversary known as the Night Lord. If I can emerge victorious, not only will I reap substantial rewards but also significant advancements in my character’s development and storyline progression.

In the game Nightreign, roguelike characteristics blend with conventional Battle Royale mechanics. Upon starting, you begin at level one with your unique character and default weapon, setting off on an adventure. The essence of Nightreign revolves around swiftness—quick kills, fast looting, and rapid movement as the circle shrinks, while navigating the challenging enemies reminiscent of Elden Ring. It’s both enjoyable and occasionally frustrating, but always keeps you intrigued when played with friends. The map is dotted with optional bosses and other notable locations that dispense powerful enhancements and top-tier loot, making it easier to achieve your objectives by defeating them.

On the map, you’ll find various loot that includes rarities with randomly assigned abilities, as one might anticipate. Notably, almost every formidable weapon from Elden Ring can be discovered in this location. My initial random legendary weapon draw was Devourer’s Scepter, but it encompasses a vast array of weapons like the Sword of Night and Flame, Dark Moon Greatsword, and more. Each playthrough varies based on the items you acquire, influencing your gameplay style accordingly.

Just as in other games where loot is randomly distributed, some playthroughs can feel incredibly rewarding when everything falls into place. During my testing phase, I experienced this euphoria once by finding Rivers of Blood and Moonveil, using them in a triumphant, well-deserved battle against a formidable boss after much effort. In contrast, other games left me empty-handed and battling for survival. This is the world of Elden Ring.

A world worth living (and dying) in

While navigating through the game “Nightreign”, you advance your characters’ journeys and plotlines by overcoming bosses, finishing missions, and enduring three consecutive nights. The more effectively you perform, the more currency and artifacts you gain access to, thereby enhancing your opportunities for success.

Fundamentally, every character starts off with minimal health, energy (mana), and vitality (stamina). Advancing through levels is crucial as it’s unlikely you’ll survive encounters with numerous foes otherwise. Meeting an untimely demise results in a level reduction and loss of acquired stats. However, your comrades can rejuvenate you by playfully attacking you with their own equipment. This process can be exasperating, especially during cooperative play, when occasional lag and desynchronization may occur, further intensifying the competitive atmosphere.

During the given timeframe, I encountered numerous battles that seemed destined for failure due to an early demise. However, we persisted, managed to pull off some last-minute resuscitations, and miraculously overcame the enemies put before us. This is when the game really excels, and its potential for repeated play is substantial.

The sense of exasperation followed by triumph, relaxation, and contentment upon overcoming a tough challenge, a feeling that originated from the game ‘Demon’s Souls’, remains thrilling. Now, you can share this exhilarating experience with friends as a pre-formed team in compact adventures. This could potentially mark a significant shift for FromSoft into a new era.

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2025-05-28 17:17

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