Over the weekend, I chose to go into the Elden Ring Nightreign network test without prior knowledge, deliberately avoiding early information and reviews so I could be genuinely surprised by FromSoftware’s newest Souls-style action RPG. The only thing I was aware of was that Nightreign is generally perceived as a “cooperative Elden Ring roguelike,” but what exactly does that entail? How has the studio combined their 2022 RPG award-winner, known for its massive static open world that required careful mastery and gradual progression, with a genre characterized by its dynamism and swift pace?
In essence, Nightreign features action-packed gameplay with characters possessing distinct abilities and level progression paths that are already set. It offers randomized power-ups and weapon drops without any prerequisites for stats, eliminates armor, encumbrance, and fall damage mechanisms entirely. The game includes a shrinking play area similar to battle royale games, and the speed and verticality of movement is so swift that even Sekiro would be envious. This game discards the deliberate, strategic exploration and character customization typical of Soulsborne games, replacing it with a series of rapid decisions as you rush through enemy camps and mini-boss battles scattered across the map during the day, then adapt quickly and keep moving to avoid the shrinking play area before engaging in a showdown against a formidable boss at night.
Essentially, Elden Ring boils down to its primary combat mechanics, urging players to immerse themselves deeply within the action for about 30-45 minutes at a time during Nightreign’s gameplay sessions. This title represents something fresh and unique from FromSoftware, which I find quite appealing; in fact, after investing six hours over the weekend, my fascination with it has only grown. However, if you’re not comfortable with certain aspects of their previous games being scaled back, Elden Ring might not suit your taste.
A sandbox to die for (a lot)
In contrast to the intricate and specific build-crafting in Souls games that players are accustomed to, Nightreign doesn’t force a single playstyle or leave you with limited choices. Instead, it offers flexibility as you can utilize any item you acquire while progressing through the game. The key aspects to consider are each weapon’s attack strength and its Ash of War move, which is powered by mana. Additionally, keep in mind that passive buffs on your Nightfarer equipment can offer significant enhancements, such as a small percentage of lifesteal on consecutive hits. These buffs remain active even when the weapons aren’t being actively used, enabling you to accumulate them by filling up your inventory.
In Nightreign, you’ll find an abundance of creative play and experimental fun due to its extensive weapon and magic options, which are drawn from the vast armory found in the mainline Elden Ring. Unlike the original RPG, many weapon and spell combinations work effectively without excessive leveling up. Furthermore, acquiring unique abilities from defeated bosses adds an extra layer of excitement – such as summoning lightning strikes whenever you dodge. With these elements combined, I was able to craft some unusual builds. Among my favorites was a sturdy counter-attack setup that included a greatshield, continuous magical sword projectiles that targeted enemies upon approach, and a flaming sword that triggered holy damage explosions each time I blocked and countered with it.
In most randomly generated games like Nightreign, you may not always have a build that feels perfectly synced. After all, Luck can be unpredictable. However, what makes Nightreign unique is its similarity to Souls games, which means your skill level will ultimately decide if you succeed or fail in a run. Even with an average setup, players can defeat bosses by learning and mastering fights patiently, especially if they have a decent weapon. On the other hand, having a flawless setup won’t save you if you make crucial mistakes such as dodging at the wrong times or being overly aggressive in your attacks.
In my personal gaming experience, I found that Nightreign’s four Nightfarer classes (which will eventually number eight) can be adapted to any setup in my gameplay. However, it’s important to note that each character possesses unique strengths and weaknesses that suit specific playstyles. For instance, the knight-like figure depicted in marketing materials, Wylder, is versatile and can be directed in various ways. On the other hand, the towering Guardian, resembling an eagle man, functions exceptionally well as a tank due to his initial greatshield and whirlwind ability that disrupts enemies. The agile Duchess is most effectively played like a nimble thief thanks to her enhanced evasion skills. Lastly, the Recluse, with her ability to drain mana from enemies she casts spells upon or those nearby, excels as a backline damage dealer, making her an ideal choice for players who enjoy playing as a powerful caster.
In their unique ways, every Nightfarer character brings strength to the table. The true brilliance of Nightreign lies in its cooperative gameplay, as each character’s abilities complement one another exceptionally well with teammates.
For instance, Wylder’s explosive close-range ultimate reliably staggers bosses, providing ample chances for immense damage. On the other hand, Guardian’s special move allows him to fly into the air and then crash back down, damaging enemies, reviving fallen comrades (humorously, even incapacitated allies can be assisted by striking them), and creating a shield that deflects incoming attacks until you exhaust your stamina.
The Duchess’ Restage skill redelivers damage done to enemies over time — when used strategically, this can lead to extraordinarily high DPS rates. Furthermore, her ultimate renders the entire three-player team invisible. Lastly, Recluse’s most potent ability tags enemies with a debuff that restores HP and FP for the entire squad upon being hit.
In summary, Nightreign’s free-form character creation and the teamwork possibilities offered by the Nightfarers make the spinoff’s sandbox seem incredibly promising. Despite the limited weaponry and enhancements in the trial version, I never found myself repeating a build, always wanting to play just one more time. I can hardly wait to experience the full game, as it promises to be an immense playground.
Gotta go fast, for better and worse
The rapid tempo of each game session, driven by the persistent, ominous danger of the encroaching, health-depleting circle, ensures that combat is virtually non-stop, which is a key element that could make or break this game for many players. If you’re drawn to the idea of relentless fighting as you traverse Elden Ring’s picturesque landscapes, Nightreign promises an unending supply of violence and carnage. However, if you’re attracted to FromSoftware games for the journey – the leisurely, thoughtful, and exploratory progress through a massive and enigmatic world – you won’t find that experience here. In Nightfarer, there’s no time to pause and appreciate the scenery; night is falling, the circle is closing in, and you only have a limited amount of time to defeat the Crucible Knight and acquire an upgrade before three Tree Sentinels appear and jeopardize your team’s advancement.
In my current experience with Nightreign, I must confess that I yearn for additional time to delve deeper into Limveld, the revamped version of Elden Ring’s Limgrave zone, which is the network test’s map. There are still intriguing secrets hidden away, such as dropdowns leading to concealed underground minibosses and mining caves that function as handy shortcuts over towering plateaus. However, I frequently find myself rushing through these areas as quickly as possible in order to optimize my loot collection and keep up with the circle. The thrill of discovery in quick spurts as I dash and leap towards an ally’s map marker is undeniably enjoyable, but there’s also a desire within me for a more conventional cooperative Soulsborne game. In my ideal scenario, we would simply receive something akin to Elden Ring’s seamless co-op modification.
Although Nightreign isn’t exactly the cooperative Souls game I was hoping for, it still delivers loads of exciting action that stands on its own merits. I can’t wait to jump back in with my friends when it’s fully released on May 30. Furthermore, the complete edition will introduce four new characters, increase random map elements, expand the play area similar to Elden Ring’s vast sandbox, and potentially offer additional maps for gameplay.
Preorders for the game “Elden Ring Nightreign” are currently open on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PS5, and PS4. If FromSoftware delivers as promised, this could be one of the standout games for both Xbox and PC in 2025. The game retails at $39.99, but by taking advantage of some great offers, you can pre-order the PC version for a discounted price of only $35.19 from Fanatical.
Preorders are now live for Elden Ring Nightreign on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PS5, and PS4. If FromSoftware manages to pull off a successful launch, this title might be one of the top games for both Xbox and PC in 2025. The game has an MSRP of $39.99, but by seizing some fantastic deals, you can secure your copy of the PC version at just $35.19 from Fanatical.
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2025-02-17 02:40