Elden Ring Nightreign hits over 300k players on Steam within an hour of launch — despite middling reviews

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As a dedicated fan of Souls series, including Elden Ring, I almost missed Nightreign’s release yesterday. Although I’m well-versed with the franchise, I anticipated that the game’s pace might not suit my taste. However, the overwhelming player count has caught my attention. In just an hour after launch, Nightreign skyrocketed to the peak of Steam’s charts, boasting over 300,000 concurrent players.

This impressive debut makes Nightreign one of the top PC game launches in 2025, outranked only by Schedule 1 and Monster Hunter Wilds. It’s essential to note that these numbers don’t account for players on Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

Despite some mixed reviews and criticisms, it’s evident that the player count doesn’t deceive – there’s always an insatiable appetite among fans for any new installment in the Souls series.

An impressive start

As a point of comparison, the number of people playing Elden Ring: Nightreign simultaneously has surpassed the highest number of players ever on Steam for Dark Souls 2 (79,528), Dark Souls 3 (129,975), and Dark Souls Remastered (24,501) combined.

However, Elden Ring: Nightreign has significantly outshone its predecessors in popularity, marking a significant expansion of the studio’s influence and penetrating the mainstream market with more than 950,000 concurrent players. Furthermore, it appears that the game is maintaining this strong momentum as it currently boasts a staggering 313,593 players online at once.

It’s not all smooth sailing

Despite an impressive player turnout before the weekend, the user feedback isn’t as positive. With a “mixed” rating on Steam, Nightreign is FromSoftware’s second least popular game on the platform, trailing behind even the Ashes of Ariandel DLC for Dark Souls 3 in terms of reception.

The reviews suggest a divided player experience, particularly for those familiar with solo play or the methodical pace of typical Soulslike games. However, given that Nightreign doesn’t conform to the standard formula and this isn’t hidden in its advertising, it’s likely that many players will do their homework before diving in, rather than expecting a run-of-the-mill Soulslike experience.

As an observer, I’ve noticed that one of the common gripes among players revolves around the multiplayer format of the game, which is designed for three-player co-op. The absence of a duo mode or balanced solo play mechanics has left many feeling frustrated, especially those who prefer to explore and fight with caution in a more solitary fashion, describing the experience as punishing.

Additionally, the rapid pace enforced by the ring system is met with disapproval, as it detracts from the enjoyment of exploration and strategic combat. The lack of in-game communication tools like voice or text chat also makes coordinating with random teammates nearly impossible, making the game feel exclusive to those who have a group of friends to play with. This leaves some gamers feeling left out in the cold.

Every reveiew: “dont play this game solo” from r/Nightreign

In simpler terms, Nightreign has faced some technical criticisms, as gamers have pointed out issues such as the 60 FPS limit, absence of ultrawide support, and performance problems for a game released in 2025. Adding to these concerns are allegations that the combat feels cumbersome, the resurrection system is aggravating, and the overall experience seems unpolished or overly dependent on nostalgia from the Souls series.

It’s still a bold start and I’ve full faith in FromSoftware’s ongoing support for the game

In my perspective, while there seems to be a diverse range of opinions about Nightreign, it would be unjustified to attribute its impressive player count solely to hype or misguided expectations. Numerous players are genuinely drawn to Nightreign’s innovative roguelite mechanics, intense multiplayer battles on a grander scale, and redesigned boss fights.

For me personally, I find myself engrossed in watching streamers play the game, even though I suspect it might not be my cup of tea. The game undeniably provides some truly thrilling moments of triumph for those who can successfully collaborate as a team.

Nightreign represents a daring leap for FromSoftware, as it significantly departs from their conventional approach and moves towards something more action-packed. Unlike its predecessors, Nightreign abandons the slow, intricate exploration that we’ve come to expect. This new direction might not resonate with everyone, but the initial player figures suggest it is appealing to a sizable audience willing to adapt to this fresh format.

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2025-05-30 12:39