Action RPG

Elden Ring Nightreign Skipped the One Solo Feature That Made Sense

BBG News

Summary

  • Elden Ring Nightreign embraces cooperative play but also allows for solo play, though it’s unbalanced.
  • FromSoftware’s no-pause rule in games like Elden Ring intensifies gameplay and immerses players in the worlds.
  • The solo mode in Elden Ring Nightreign makes a strong case for a pause mechanic due to time pressure and lack of online connections.

The long-awaited new game from FromSoftware, titled “Elden Ring: Reign of Shadows“, is now available, and it represents one of the developer’s most daring design concepts yet. Instead of being a typical single-player action RPG that FromSoftware is renowned for, “Elden Ring: Reign of Shadows” adopts a cooperative framework where players band together to overcome time limits and conquer various Night Lords in an alternate rendition of the Lands Between. Although it was designed with cooperation in mind, it’s technically possible for players to play alone, albeit with some modifications.

In its present form, playing Elden Ring Nightreign solo is significantly unbalanced and not advisable for players. However, the game does exist and if a player decides to play it alone, they might find a missing feature that could have greatly enhanced the Soulslike genre: the ability to pause the game.

Elden Ring Nightreign’s Solo Mode Is the One Time a Pause Option Could Have Worked

Why Pausing Never Made Sense in Soulslikes

In games developed by FromSoftware, tension is intentionally built-in rather than being an unintended aspect. One of the unique methods they use to create this tension is by not allowing players to pause the game. For instance, in games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, time continues to move forward regardless if players are modifying their equipment at a Bonfire or Site of Grace, consulting their map, or even taking a break. In essence, this design choice stems from a wish to keep players engrossed within these game worlds and continuously exposed to the perils that surround them. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, they can never be completely secure.

In contrast to many other games, FromSoftware intentionally incorporates tension as a key element instead of regarding it as an unintentional flaw. One of the distinctive methods they employ to achieve this is by not allowing players to temporarily halt the game.

These Soulslike games often offer a solitary gaming experience with limited multiplayer interactions, which can be opted out if preferred. Although other gamers might intrude into another player’s game, they don’t function as part of a real-time party system found in traditional cooperative games. Despite this, these games are carefully crafted to encourage players to remain alert to their surroundings and utilize rest areas such as Bonfires or Sites of Grace when needing respite. Unlike other games that allow pausing anytime, Soulslikes demand that players withdraw to these designated spots first before taking a break, which adds to the high-intensity gameplay experience.

Why Pausing in Nightreign’s Solo Mode Would Be Different

As a dedicated gamer immersed in the Soulslike universe, I’ve grown accustomed to the no-pause rule being an integral part of the experience. Yet, the unique single-player journey offered by Elden Ring Nightreign persuasively argues for the inclusion of a pause feature. While collaborative adventures in Elden Ring Nightreign make it logical that players can’t halt the game due to their interconnectedness online, solo expeditions within the game can be played independently offline. This is just one piece of the puzzle that supports the idea of incorporating a pause mechanic into the game.

In Elden Ring Nightreign, everything is dictated by the ticking clock. Unlike other Soulslikes that focus on careful planning, thoughtfulness, and patience, Elden Ring Nightreign emphasizes constant motion due to the encroaching ring of death which can cause harm if players linger outside the safe area for too long. While multiplayer sessions don’t allow players to pause the game, solo players in Elden Ring Nightreign have more freedom. Since they’re fighting against time and cannot step away during single-player mode, a pause feature would be particularly useful in this context.

It’s quite possible that introducing a pause feature in Souls-like games may spark debate within the community, given their strong attachment to tradition over innovation. However, since Elden Ring has broadened the entrance to this genre for many newcomers, there have been requests for a pause mechanic for some time now. The gameplay of Elden Ring Nightreign seems to make a compelling argument for its integration, although it’s highly unlikely that such a feature will be implemented in the near future. Regardless, FromSoftware is probably already working towards enhancing the experience offered by Elden Ring Nightreign.

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2025-06-01 13:44

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