Elden Ring Nightreign director says the game was built for squads of three and 'doesn't collapse if it's a solo player,' but admits that duos have gone 'kind of overlooked'

In the upcoming game Nightreign, there’s a shift towards more emphasis on seamless multiplayer, making it the first from FromSoftware to do so. However, it’s important to note that this feature functions optimally when you have precisely two companions to join you in the game.

During an interview with IGN, Ishizaki shared that they’re designing the game to be enjoyable for a group of three players. They ensure the core experience remains fun when played by three people, yet it should still work if one is playing alone. However, in focusing on this aspect, they may have underestimated or overlooked the two-player experience. But rest assured, they are thinking about enhancing the duo gameplay as part of post-launch updates.

Absolutely, you can still enjoy Nightreign even if you only have one friend to play with. The game will pair you with another solo player at random and let you start playing right away. During the development process, creating a duos mode wasn’t given high priority by Ishizaki, primarily due to balance concerns.

As a devoted fan, I can attest that battling Dark Souls bosses feels like a breeze with the perfect co-op companion. However, FromSoftware cleverly preserves the exhilarating feeling of achievement that keeps us engrossed in their singleplayer experiences. In an interview with IGN, Ishizaki explained, “For games primarily designed for solo play like Elden Ring, we’re meticulously considering factors such as level design, enemy placement and design, the diverse range of player builds and equipment … The bosses are intended to be intimidating, tough, and fearsome encounters.

As a gamer, if the Elden Ring feels a bit alien to you, rest assured that it adapts to cater for solo players. Even in a three-person game where you’re offline or isolated, the difficulty level is tailored to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by multiple enemies. Similarly, when you’re playing alone without teammates, the game’s dynamics change according to the number of players in your session, making it more enjoyable for a single player experience.

The details suggest that a duos mode might require additional thought; it appears as though much effort was invested to maintain the intricate balance of difficulty seen in its single-player predecessors. In an interview with IGN, Ishizaki mentioned that players transitioning from Elden Ring and previous games might find Nightreign more familiar than they anticipate.

Individual players should know that most of their experience in Nightreign will involve independent play. While there may be times when you’re part of a group of three, you’ll often explore and gather items separately across various parts of the map. You’ll reunite only during the boss fights.

1. Elden Ring Ranni Quest: I’m following the witch, Ranni

2. Elden Ring Blaidd Quest: Keeping tabs on the wolf-man, Blaidd

3. Elden Ring Nepheli Quest: Tracking down warrior woman, Nepheli

4. Elden Ring Fia Quest: Seeking solace in the cold comfort of Fia

5. Elden Ring Volcano Manor Quest: Unraveling mysteries in Mt. Gelmir’s fiery abode

2025-05-23 01:02

Elden Ring Nightreign director says the game was built for squads of three and ‘doesn’t collapse if it’s a solo player,’ but admits that duos have gone ‘kind of overlooked’

Read More