I love Elden Ring Nightreign but I’m not sure if it’s good for my mental health

by

I struggle with the fact that my weak and unskilled Elden Ring Nightreign character keeps getting defeated, causing me to question my abilities repeatedly: I can’t seem to measure up. or simply, I find myself lacking in skill.

When another player rushes to revive my weakening character, two conflicting feelings bubble up inside me, much like oil and water that refuse to combine. I feel thankful for their assistance, but at the same time, I’m filled with embarrassment, knowing that I depend on it so frequently. It’s clear to everyone involved that I’m the weakest link in this battle against the boss. And while I know we all are aware of it, anxiety sneaks up and whispers suspiciously in my ear: “Perhaps they’re discussing now just how ineffective you truly are.

Within the merciless Everdark Libra arena, there’s no sign suggesting otherwise. There’s no escape from Libra’s relentless assaults nor a moment of relief from my dwindling self-esteem. The reality is that, despite my fondness for Elden Ring Nightreign, I question whether it benefits my mental wellbeing.

The Everdark within

In Nightreign, the relentless speed of the days stirs feelings of inadequacy from my past, particularly the exasperation I felt as the youngest sibling, always struggling to catch up with my older siblings. Similarly, no matter how much effort I put into playing, I find myself unable to match the pace of other players darting between Churches and Mines. This constant struggle leaves me with a heavy sense that at any moment, I might be left behind like Spirit Spring water evaporating in the desert heat. Just as I find Limveld’s world too fast for me, I often feel overwhelmed by the real world and its mounting pressures.

The moment my teammates step onto Limveld, they walk with an air of certainty to specific spots, giving the impression they hold secret knowledge. It’s evident there’s some strategy among them that leaves me out of the loop. Suddenly, it’s as if I’ve been transported back to high school, feeling left out from the group dynamics, in-group conversations, and their secretive plans.

Occasionally, when I’m playing Nightreign, it seems as though I’m observing others enjoying themselves through a windowpane. Rarely do I manage to join their ranks and maintain my position within the group, but when I do, the night descends and I am reminded of how insignificant my contributions are to the team’s success.

In contrast, Elden Ring never made me feel this way about myself. In fact, quite the contrary! The challenges and setbacks in Elden Ring are solely your responsibility to bear. Each of your numerous deaths serves as a personal mark, from which you’ll eventually grow stronger. In Elden Ring, the message is simply to persevere. However, with Nightreign, I’m unsure where I should even be headed.

Delusions of failure

It’s possible that I might not be as inept at Nightreign as I believe. Perhaps, my performance is simply being influenced by the comparison with other players.

Regarding the common predicament of Nightreign, teaming up with others under time pressure, I often falter. Every time I’m paired with two fresh players, I promise myself this round will be different. This time, I’ll prove my worth as a Wylder.

However, it seems those promises morph into illusions, as I invariably meet my end during the first Nightfall and long for an apology gesture to be incorporated into the game.

It might shock you to learn that I’ve earned 34 out of the possible 37 trophies for Nightreign on my PS5. It continues to astonish me each time I view them. My worried mind shouts that I must have unlocked these achievements by accident, but maybe the only genuine blunder I’m committing is viewing myself as an incompetent Nightfarer?

Perhaps, I’m not as hopeless at Nightreign as I believe. Perhaps, I simply need to cease comparing myself to other players in a cooperative multiplayer setting.

Essentially, the game isn’t about competing with your fellow Limveld cohorts or feeling inferior because of others’ well-timed evasions. Instead, it’s about uniting to conquer the boss together, without any need for competition over who is the superior Nightfarer.

Regardless of whether I took a leading role or provided support in all our multiplayer Nightreign victories, it’s clear that we all played a part in achieving those wins. Unlike someone who only appears to succeed by riding on the coattails of others like a Spectral Hawk, I have contributed significantly to each fight. Despite what my imposter syndrome might lead me to believe about myself, I am an integral part of our team’s success.

Until I manage to conquer the darkness within me, which is my anxiety, I may continue to feel like a burden in Nightreign, regardless of what actions I take. However, as soon as I hear those epic boss themes and witness those mind-bending graphics, an intense fire within me kindles, and I am resolved to become proficient at the game. No matter how much time it requires. I adore this game and still hold faith that one day, it will appreciate me and my self-doubts as well.

Read More

2025-09-05 16:10