Elden Ring Nightreign

Whatever the project's origins, the result is a thrilling blend of ideas, a game that, despite its fashionable and familiar components, feels wholly unprecedented. Moreover, Nightreign firmly establishes the studio's designers as not only masters of their own domain, but now a new, hitherto undiscovered realm. [Issue#412, p.100]

Nightreign is a thrilling roguelite riff on FromSoftware’s open-world masterpiece.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a thrilling rush. FromSoftware has taken their masterclass gameplay and constructed an entirely new and exhilarating loop. Despite forgoing familiar elements that made Elden Ring truly special, Nightreign maintains the essence of its wonder, empowering players by fulfilling their dream of an onslaught of challenging, brilliant boss fights, only prohibited by your own skill, ambition, and deadly efficiency.

Against all odds, Elden Ring Nightreign keeps FromSoft’s streak alive despite a very, very surprising left turn into multiplayer. What could have felt like a game chasing trends or designed by committee has maintained so much of what’s special about the core franchise.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is both a love letter and a remix of everything FromSoftware fans adore. While the multiplayer focus won’t work for everyone, the sheer amount of challenge, variety, and the ever-elusive dopamine hit make it something special and something to be remembered.

Nightreign is a game like nothing you've ever played before and that is in large part one of its biggest strengths. That, and its deeply engaging cooperative gameplay loop.

Elden Ring Nightreign is truly worthy of its namesake. Fans who still have the Elden Ring itch even after the DLC should gear up for some jolly good cooperation.

Elden Ring: Nightreign proves to be an excellent expansion that further enriches the already vast and deep universe created by FromSoftware. With dark and evocative settings, challenging new trials, and consistently inspired design, it keeps tension and wonder high throughout the entire adventure. A few technical hiccups and an occasionally punishing difficulty level do little to detract from an overall extraordinary experience. A must for every Tarnished in search of glory (and pain).

Elden Ring Nightreign is a game that does so much, and none of it feels arbitrary. The world is fascinating, the combat is exceptional, and there's plenty to see.

Diving into game after game, experiencing that Soulslike loop in a microcosm, was unbelievably satisfying, and those moments of victory have never felt better. There are some minor quirks, like the lack of cross-platform play and spongy bosses, but on the whole, Nightreign is one of the most inventive things to come out of FromSoftware since it coined the Soulslike genre.

The introduction of Rogue Lite elements to the world of Elden Ring has made it one of the best Souls games experience to date such as choosing your desired Hero from a list containing up to 8 Hero Characters dubbed as Nightfarers and enhancing your armada from a wide variety of weapons, fighting a devastating boss at the end of your run, random events and more.

Elden Ring Nightreign sets itself apart from the award-winning main game with its fast pace and co-op focus. While several issues still need to be addressed, if you crave challenging co-op action, you should definitely join the Nightfarers in their fight against the Nightlords.

A cooperative multiplayer game in the Elden Ring universe, something new for FromSoftware and it's panning out well. The game has a high addiction factor due to its interesting gameplay loop, the bosses are fantastic and the interplay with different characters makes for an engaging gameplay dynamic. Take note, however, that the frame rate is not stable and if you are a solo player, the game feels different given its focus on co-op. Nevertheless, Elden Ring: Nightreign feels like a fresh new breath of fresh air in a familiar universe that we can recommend to any player of the original.

Elden Ring: Nightreign offers a fresh and distinctive experience, not just for fans, but also for FromSoftware and the broader Elden Ring universe. It marks a bold departure from the studio’s traditional formula, skillfully incorporating successful elements from other genres and titles. While Nightreign has flaws, it stands as a promising foundation for what could eventually become a full-fledged online multiplayer RPG from FromSoftware.

All of this results in an experience that will appeal to those who know Elden Ring by heart and are masters of its combat system. However, if you don't fall into that group, Elden Ring Nightreign likely isn't for you. At the end of the day, FromSoftware presents us with a unique experiment that makes it clear that its 2022 title has the potential to expand almost anywhere, though that doesn't mean it should.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is sure to be a divisive entry in FromSoft's catalog. It isn't the Elden Ring sequel that people might want, and it isn't necessarily a game that will appeal to those who love Souls titles. It's a weird, experimental concept grafted into the skin of a different game. It's an engaging and enjoyable game to play, assuming you meet it halfway. The core mechanics are strong, the boss fights are fun, and it's an enjoyable game. If you've ever wanted to see what a more multiplayer-focused take on the genre is like, Nightreign shines, but those looking for a single-player experience will want to look elsewhere.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a daring experiment that succeeds in delivering a fast-paced, replayable multiplayer experience, but only for genre veterans seeking a fresh take on the traditional FromSoftware formula.

Though it doesn't reach the heights of FromSoftware's recent titles, Elden Ring Nightreign makes it seem as though the developer could try their hand at anything and find success. Deliciously punishing and addictively moreish, Nightreign is worth the price of admission and then some.

Elden Ring Nightreign is unexpected, out of the comfort zone of FromSoftware and yet, they deliver a compelling and unique experience. Although at times frustrating given its randomized nature, Elden Ring Nightreign feels like a breath of fresh air that FromSoftware can still improve on and add more and more content to. Cooperation has never been so key in a Souls-like type experience, and Elden Ring Nightreign is proof that FromSoftware is the only developer able to cause a revolution in the Souls grand scheme of things.

With a lucky roll of the map, a skilled trio, and lots of practice, Nightreign provides transcendent moments of fun and accomplishment. It's a far more complex and nuanced battle royale than some of its more populist contemporaries. In its release form at least, Nightreign has a few limitations, like a somewhat unrewarding solo mode, no AI party members, and no duos. Still, while it may be a game that few Souls fans thought to consider essential, Nightreign is an unexpected gift that will no doubt be a new addiction for many.

Elden Ring: Nightreign offers a fast-paced gameplay and a return to the kind of raw challenge I’ve come to love in soulslikes. And that’s exactly what I wanted, the more time I spent with Nightreign, the more I found myself enjoying it.

FromSoftware proves it hadn't shown everything with Elden Ring, delivering a bold yet effective new experience in Nightreign. The gameplay stays true to its Souls-like roots, with simplified mechanics but a unique twist that makes it addictive. It’s an experience with a lot of depth and one that can stand alongside the best in the co-op genre.

Elden Ring: Nightreign does not seek a widespread audience - and that's a really good thing. FromSoftware doesn't make compromises. Instead of doing “more of the same,” it has opted for a design that is completely new, system-dense and ruthlessly honest. Does it have flaws? Of course; excessively long boss fights can be frustrating. Still, Nightreign demands, but it also rewards. And it does so without half measures.

Elden Ring: Nightreign unleashes FromSoftware’s savage Soulsborne grit into a whirlwind of multiplayer chaos—an irresistible thrill ride that drags you and your fellow nightfarers back for just one more cursed round. Multiplayer isn’t flawless, and solo runs, though still fun, tip into wild imbalance—leaving you bruised, battered, and beyond tarnished.

In many ways Nightreign will probably live or die for players based on how well the matchmaking works, or if they have two other friends willing to invest the money and time into buying and playing together.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a game focused to the most hardcore fans of From Software. It has a great combination of new final bosses but lacks a solid progression system that keeps you playing after beating them all.

Elden Ring: Nightreign delivers fast-paced, trio-only Expeditions through Limveld — with strategy and teamwork being key elements. Players explore, fight bosses, and face a final Nightlord in short, intense runs. Although fun and rewarding, the experience may be hurt because of it's clunky UI and poor coordination between players.

With unforgettable exploration, outstanding level design, and a brilliant mix of challenge and discovery, this new game enriches the base game beautifully, even though it may overwhelm some players with its difficulty and dense content.

Through an unusual mix of roguelike and battle royale, Elden Ring: Nightreign will make you love soulslike games in a different way.

It's fun, unexpected, and challenging. Everything you'd want from a title like this. Even if it doesn't look and feel exactly like we initially imagined.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is one of the best in its genre, but a horror for those looking for a more moderate gaming experience.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a cooperative roguelike that dares to experiment with the souls genre, resulting in an engaging game that stands out in the boss fights and in its roster of characters.

Elden Ring Nightreing is a very different game from FromSofware. An experience that is best enjoyed with friends, and that hides some of the most epic fights of the entire saga. Despite stumbling on its roguelite philosophy, Nightreign offers a fresh and very challenging experience.

Multiplayer is the natural next step for this series; having a buddy to aid you or to just listen to your sobs while you’re getting battered is a wonderful addition. It’s a thrilling co-operative experience.

Nightreign uses the same stone-good foundation, plays smoothly and puts its own twist on the modern classic. And yet it lacks a touch of the magic that makes Elden ring Elden ring. An overarching storyline is completely absent, the fantastically designed environments full of lighting and gold details have been replaced with murky fantasy environments of thirteen-in-a-dozen variety, and the sense of being able to explore at your own pace is completely gone due to the ever-shrinking game world. Beforehand, however, we never thought we would keep returning to Nightreign. Despite its many misgivings, the cyclical structure and fast-paced attempts to make your character stronger is still intriguing enough to make us want to start it over and over again. After Elden ring, expansion Shadow of the erdtree and now Nightreign, the conclusion is: more Elden ring is always good.

Not every idea in Nightreign lands cleanly, but its willingness to push Elden Ring’s mechanics into unfamiliar territory is admirable. It’s a game made for a specific kind of player—those who crave a punishingly difficult challenge. If that’s you, this detour is worth the journey.

Elden Ring Nightreign may be the hardest game FromSoftware has ever made, but not because of its massive bosses or all the mechanics you need to understand to beat the games, but because to enjoy it properly you need to have friends; friends who are crazy about Souls.

This is a bold reinterpretation of the Souls-like formula, which retains FromSoftware's DNA but bets on a cooperative and roguelike format marked by constant time pressure and high difficulty. The experience demands dedication, resilience and repetition, rewarding the most persistent with memorable moments of conquest.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is a bold co-op spin-off that turns contemplative exploration into a tactical race against time. A brilliant concept held back by the lack of crossplay and voice chat, both crucial for full team potential.

Even though we find the same graphic style and some familiar areas, we feel a slight lack of artistic risk-taking, a somewhat recycled bestiary and menus that haven't changed one iota. On the gameplay side, class balancing still needs adjustments and world events like raids, rare terrains or cataclysms remain too rare to permanently break the routine. The communication system boils down to a ping that isn't always precise, and attempting the adventure solo borders on a feat, given the high difficulty and the need for a cohesive team. However, the game manages to create a strong addiction: even when a run turns into a disaster, we want to try our luck again to take advantage of our character's progression curve and the pride of defeating a boss. Nightreign won't appeal to all players, its severity and small flaws may frustrate more than a few, but it brings a breath of fresh air to the studio. It's a good start, we'll say.

All in all, I did enjoy my time with Elden Ring: Nightreign and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow and flourish with some post-launch updates. It’s not perfect, and it nowhere near has the level of polish that Elden Ring did, but you can tell it’s not really trying to be what that game was. It’s a different animal entirely and I can admire FromSoftware for trying something new while still holding onto what’s worked for it in the past.

FromSoftware's multiplayer spin-off is an exhilarating rush and a celebration of the studio's prior achievements Souls veterans will devour.

A fascinating precursor to FromSoftware’s multiplayer pivot, Elden Ring: Nightreign offers us a glimpse at the thrills, and pitfalls, of adapting the studio’s signature style to meet contemporary standards. Propulsively fun gameplay loops and a killer art direction gently usher in one of the least considered efforts from the studio to date.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a faster, roguelike remix of the Souls formula that swaps deep exploration for co-op urgency. Combat is more agile, pacing is relentless, and boss fights thrive on teamwork. Still, not every change lands. FromSoftware’s familiar connection issues can spoil a good run, the storytelling lacks expected depth, and the Limveld map may be mastered very quickly. Overall, Nightreign delivers exciting high-speed battles and rewarding experimentation. It’s a bold spinoff that breaks the rules and mostly gets away with it.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is FromSoft's love letter to its legion of fans. This new offering, which features roguelite elements with cooperative multiplayer, is addictive, fun, and a new way to challenge yourself with new and iconic characters. However, as a roguelite, there are some flaws that are not impossible to fix.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a very clever game. FromSoftware has produced a multiplayer-focused “Souls” experience that borrows some of the best ideas from the multiplayer giants while retaining the Soulslike formula and style. It’s not really for me. I’m a mega Souls fan, but I’m there for the dark fantasy storytelling and exploration more than the action and bosses. But I can appreciate what FromSoftware has done with this, and I certainly think the team has nailed what they set out to achieve with it.

The reward for my efforts is the mastery, knowledge, and adrenaline I spent dozens of hours building in Elden Ring, condensed into a single run. And every success is as visceral and glorious as the last…The adrenaline and dopamine of a great Elden Ring session are present throughout Nightreign, and it’s exciting knowing you’re theoretically just 45 minutes away from experiencing those feelings again.

FromSoftware steps out of its comfort zone and impresses with an exciting genre mix that weaves together time-tested systems and mechanics of the original with a refreshingly new and captivating gameplay experience.

The question isn’t whether Nightreign is fun enough — that part’s a given. I hate to admit it, but it’s a real rollercoaster ride. Nerve-wracking action capped off with a spectacular boss fight, just like in The Baron. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. This is a game I can see myself playing again and again for a long time — as long as there’s enough interest to keep it going.

Elden Ring Nightreign offers an intriguing take by blending the soulslike formula with roguelike elements, delivering intense challenges and an engaging co-op experience, especially when played with friends. Although it features well-crafted combat mechanics and a diverse range of classes, the game also suffers from repetitiveness. With future updates and proper adjustments, Nightreign has the potential to become a strong addition to the FromSoftware universe.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a very interesting game that’s likely going to divide FromSoftware fans. It’s not the hand-crafted RPG that we’ve come to expect from the storied developer, but it does manage to take much of the gameplay depth of Elden Ring, and retrofit it into a fast-paced multiplayer experience. While we don’t think it really holds a candle to games like Dark Souls 3 or Elden Ring, it isn’t really trying to. This is basically FromSoftware having some fun with its IP, and with a squad of friends, Elden Ring Nightreign is a blast.

Elden Ring Nightreign won't be every FromSoft fan's cup of tea, and this is especially true if you're a lone wolf.

Despite the lack of crossplay and some frustrating multiplayer issues, Elden Ring Nightreign is a fantastic example of how to reuse and reshape an existing framework into a captivating and addictive experience. By removing a lot of barriers and focusing on combat flexibility, player discussion, and map knowledge, FromSoftware has created an impressive co-op experience at launch. It is also an experience with room to expand over the years as new bosses, characters, and world events are added.

Nightreign is an asset flip done right. It may lack new content in comparison to its predecessor, but it compensates with fast paced gameplay and a very fun multiplayer experience that many fans will return to.

Elden Ring Nightreign is worth taking out for a few runs, but the incentives to keep on running aren't quite there yet. The prospect of ending another forty minute expedition empty handed after an anticlimactic wipeout isn't quite coaxing enough.

Elden Ring Nightreign takes the mechanics of Elden Ring and tosses them into the cauldron of cooperative multiplayer, then adds a hefty dose of roguelite dynamics and a sprinkle of assets drawn from FromSoftware’s past to create a fast-paced, challenging experience entirely centered on coordination. The studio’s classic strengths shine through in the excellent mechanical design of the eight predefined characters and the masterful construction of the battles against the Lords of the Night, but they must contend with a structure that is unexplored and far removed from tradition — more akin to the philosophy of games like Monster Hunter and Destiny, driven by matches that, as optimization increases, inevitably become mechanical and repetitive. This is a video game capable of delivering great satisfaction but swings like a pendulum between gratification and frustration, largely due to balance issues and some excessively punitive mechanics. It will require a few iterations before it can fully express the potential that, for now, can only be glimpsed when playing with a tightly coordinated group.

Maybe more than any previous Soulsborne title, Elden Ring Nightreign is a game of learning, of trial and error. You run through Limveld again and again, and you figure out which methods work best for you, which places are worth going, and which approach is going to help you be most powerful for the final test. Long before you roll credits, though, you are almost certain to learn these lessons, go through the same tired routines over the same tired plains and landscapes while fighting the same tired enemies just to get wrecked by the final test if the RNG gods don’t favor you. It feels like you’re being forced to learn on someone else’s schedule, and while that works for a little while, eventually you want them to get on with the lesson and deliver some excellent boss fights without the long, repetitive road beforehand.

In the end, Nightreign manages to offer up something unique that I’m sure a certain audience will find a vast amount of enjoyment in, but in the process, it sacrifices a lot of what made Elden Ring so special. Teaming up with some friends to take on some of the most challenging bosses ever designed is certainly a good time, but the repetitive nature of the content will only sustain most players for so long, and the poor casual players who expected co-op Elden Ring will get torn to shreds. Finally, a lack of cross-platform play matchmaking is a huge disadvantage for players in terms of both compatibility and potentially longer queue times. While I appreciate the attempt at innovation, I’m wary of Nightreign’s lasting power.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a project made of lights and shadows. On one hand, we find the excellent gameplay organism of Elden Ring, effectively transposed into a cooperative roguelite context without losing an ounce of its sparkling enamel, a convincing cast of characters and a wide selection of new bosses. To eliminate them all, in this regard, it will take at least 30 hours, with an upward or downward oscillation depending on the skill of the team. On the other hand, however, there are content and balance naivety that prevent the new work from aspiring to the same heights of excellence reached by the 2022 title and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. We are aware that with a well-defined update program in the coming weeks we could find ourselves in the presence of a completely different experience but, at least for the moment, we can talk about a great experiment that is half successful.

Elden Ring Nightreign represents a bold attempt to evolve the Elden Ring universe through a cooperative and dynamic format. The streamlined progression and reduced exploratory freedom may not satisfy series purists, while the introduction of roguelike and battle royale elements does not fit perfectly with FromSoftware's design philosophy. Ultimately, Nightreign may attract a new audience, but for longtime fans of the series, the balance between innovation and faithfulness to the spirit of Elden Ring will prove to be less than optimal.

In a good team, Elden Ring Nightreign is an extremely satisfying roguelite game that impresses with its depth, mechanics, and rich content. However, with balance issues and matchmaking problems, it can become a frustrating experience at times.

Elden Ring: Nightreign offers an alternative experience to the main series, presenting a daring concept rich with compelling ideas. This frenetic co-op experience, while sacrificing some of the Souls series' hallmark elements, nonetheless conceals some of FromSoftware's most masterfully crafted villains.

Elden Ring Nightreign is an interesting experience that combines the usual FromSoftWare games with roguelikes and battle royales. It's not bad, but it's not for everyone.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a curious experiment that will attract fans of the FromSoftware saga. While it can be fun, it can also quickly become repetitive by removing the exploration and experimentation that were previously found in load-outs. How much time you decide to spend in Limveld will be closely tied to how much of a fan you are of these games and whether you're willing to face the same challenges over and over again.

Despite its various balance and design issues, Elden Ring Nightreign is still an intriguing experiment from FromSoftware. The fusion of roguelike elements with the Soulslike formula feels as naturally complementary as survivor-likes expanding on gear-driven systems—full of potential by design. While it's clear that the studio lacks deep experience in this particular coop genre blend, Nightreign could have gone further.

An intriguing experiment—perfect for multiplayer fans who don’t shy away from a tough challenge. But whether the Souls niche was really craving this? We’re not so sure.

Provided you have a couple of friends to play with, Nightreign can easily become the perfect trap — a fun gauntlet of trials where you endlessly chase that ideal winning run right before going to bed. And then you do it again. And again. And again. But if you lack the necessary company, perhaps there are better ways to spend your time — maybe even with the original Elden Ring. After all, that game had plenty of great boss battles too.

Elden Ring: Nightreign ends up being a roguelike spin-off variation on FromSoftware’s usual Soulslike formula. It's certainly weighed down by excessive repetition and a persistent sense of déjà vu after just a few hours. However, the action comes alive when a proper three-person team enters the map, with co-op play creating memorably tense battles driven by collaboration.

FromSoftware have tried their hand at an entirely different style of game in Elden Ring Nightreign. The stripped-down, condensed and multiplayer-orientated focus leave a title that has many thrilling moments, but feels devoid of the life and soul that made the original Elden Ring such a special experience. Entering this fog alone is folly, but with a couple of like-minded Souls vets, there's plenty of great moments to be had amongst the repetition.

Elden Ring Nightreign is best described as beautiful chaos. While it brings a sense of challenge and wild fun with its energetic pace, its inherent balance issue will surely bother Souls players who are used to skill being the decisive factor in victory, not chance.

Multiplayer being central to Elden Ring Nightreign, which takes a page from battle royale games like Fortnite, is both a blessing and a curse. It is an uneven entry full of frustrations and limitations that doesn’t stand up to its long line of popular predecessors.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is the most fast-paced take on FromSoftware’s formula, but the truth is it didn’t need to be faster or lean so heavily into an arcade-style gameplay, especially when its last installment was so special. It raises the question—if even the masters of the genre no longer want to keep making “soulslikes,” and with their upcoming title The Duskbloods seemingly following the same path, is there really anything left to uncover?

More than anything, Nightreign feels like a sandbox for FromSoftware to try something new, implement ideas, and see how they land. In the grand scheme of things, it makes me far more interested to see what the studio can cook up with the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods, which is also multiplayer-focused. In that regard, Nightreign feels more like a stepping-stone for the studio, and as long as you go in with tempered expectations, there’s still a healthy dose of fun to be had.

During my time with Elden Ring Nightreign, I was waiting for something to jump out and amaze me like the original game and Erdtree had, but that sensation never came. Nightreign delivers glimpses of what I love about the previous games, but the jump to this new format just never quite landed as well as I had hoped. When I played with my friends or when I finally tackled that Nightlord I had been stuck on, it hit with that same exhilarating sense of accomplishment that I love, but so much else left me wanting. With so many reused enemies and guest bosses, Nightreign feels more like an impressive expansion than a whole new release, and perhaps that is a better way to look at it: an experiment in something new. This first drop into the roguelike genre with the Souls series is intriguing enough to make me consider exploring future explorations into it, but beyond that, I will happily stick with my exploration-heavy and deep character customization options instead.

Elden Ring Nightreign has a lot of good ideas on its side, a lot of quality, and I'm sure it will blossom during the coming months; however, at the moment the ratio of fun to frustration seems a bit problematic.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a game that's likely going to split FromSoftware players in a way we haven't seen before. In addition to being a clear departure from what fans expect from the studio, it's also a title that 100% hinges on the team you experience it with. Play with Elden Ring pros, and it can be a blast. Play with average Nightfarers or casual matchmakers, and it can turn into a slog. This leaves the game in a little bit of a No Man's Land, too punishing and brutally tuned for the mass audience the new genre format wants to attract, and perhaps too much of a departure for some of the longtime fanbase. Nightreign can be really fun once you adjust to it, when everything clicks, when you have the perfect team of three, when the RNG is friendly, and when you have a lot of time on your hands to chip away at final bosses with ridiculous amounts of HP. Sadly, the repetitive nature and balancing issues also can make it feel like a series of the world's longest Soulslike runbacks ever—over, and over, and over.

There's fun to be had with Elden Ring Nightreign, especially if you're a skilled Elden Ring player who loves a challenge or can get a good team together, but it does have a range of issues. The fact that there's only one map means repetition quickly creeps in, for example, and the Relic system simply doesn't feel as impactful as it should. Being a multiplayer-focused game, the lack of cross-play is also egregious.

When Elden Ring Nightreign is played exactly as it was designed to be played, it’s one of the finest examples of a three-player co-op game around. The eight character classes are each fun to use and feature a surprising amount of depth despite their limited movesets, the new Nightlord boss battles are among the best FromSoft has ever crafted and make the most of the three-player dynamic, and the fast-paced, race-against-the-clock nature of each run leads to exciting moments of split-second decision making and frantic rushes to try and finish up a fight before the circle closes in. But a lack of crossplay, duo matchmaking, and built-in communication tools makes it hard to create the conditions needed to have this kind of experience unless you’re bringing two real-life friends on every run, and if you want to just play by yourself, I can’t recommend it because of the poor solo mode balancing. All of this amounts to an ambitious spin-off that’s exhilarating when you’re able to create the proper conditions, and one that quickly flips to incredibly frustrating when you’re not.

Elden Ring Nightreign departs a lot from the usual FromSoftware formula, which doesn’t always work out. From a hasty experience to boss fights you can’t learn from, it can often be frustrating. The mechanics are solid however and it might tap into a whole new audience.

While playing alone is a disaster, the multiplayer-portion of the game is surprisingly fun and diverse. Nightreign is an experiment that not always succeeds, but definitely a bold endeavor and if FromSoftware decides to tweak the balance a little, we might get a game that is eventually good no matter how you play.

Built as a way to capitalize on the success of 2022’s Elden Ring without committing to a full sequel, Nightreign puts a clever co-op spin on the open-world game by turning it into a roguelike. It’s a smart remix that gets more use out of existing assets while inventing a replayable multiplayer game with unexpected strategic depth despite its RPG hooks being much more streamlined than a standard Soulslike. Fully finding that hook takes a lot of effort, but it pays off for those patient enough to push through its most obvious flaws.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a surprisingly well-executed roguelike that melds well with the core of Elden Ring and even builds on it with a refreshingly rapid pace and spectacular new bosses. It's also excellent with friends, making for a superb co-op experience, but limited matchmaking options and mixed bosses mean it can be as frustrating as it is fun.

Shrouded in the magic and oppressiveness of the Elden Ring world, Nightreign is a good addition to the franchise, but it's no more than an empty, superficial spectacle that relies on nostalgia for bosses and references to Dark Souls. Fun can be found in the rushed exploration of Limveld and in the battles that are only big in size and have lost their epic factor due to the lifeless arenas. The game, however, could be a new way for new players to enter the soulslike universe thanks to its greater accessibility and less punishing challenge.

A pretty smart (re)use of Elden Ring’s world and mechanics, one perhaps suited more for a subset of series fans than newcomers, and one that maybe reuses too much and doesn’t improve enough, though. While it might not necessarily appeal to all ER fans, this is a pretty well-thought-out utilization of that game's rich world, bringing with it a new experience, one that might not feel so new in enough aspects, though.

Nightreign is a thrilling co-op adrenaline rush. However, poor balancing and technical problems cause many moments of frustration.

FromSoftware struggle to force the square peg of Elden Ring into the round hole of a co-op roguelite, and while they just about manage to make it work the whole game feels like only a half-successful experiment.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is an odd follow-up to one of the most beloved games of recent years. Instead of a vast open-world adventure that can be mastered with time, Nightreign throws you from one intense boss battle to another. FromSoftware designed it as a three-player co-op experience and haven’t bothered with cross-play or a two-player mode, adding more barriers to an already intimidating game. Making something for Elden Ring’s existing community rather than trying to improve brand awareness should be celebrated, but it’s a hard game to love.

FromSoftware’s experiment in upending its established gameplay formula is admirable, and taking down gargantuan foes alongside friends really adds to the joy you feel at finally besting what at first felt like an insurmountable task. It’s just a shame that the game’s skewed pacing and overreliance on Elden Ring’s pool of assets so greatly mars the experience.

Elden Ring Nightreign is an overly clumsy attempt to graft multiplayer antics to one of the best RPGs ever. While its rougelike elements may entertain, a lack of variety and uneven combat system ultimately make for a curious sideshow that doesn't come close to the series that shares its name.