Elden Ring: Nightreign is the upcoming multiplayer-focused spin-off of FromSoftware’s very popular Elden Ring. First revealed at The Game Awards 2024, it introduces a roguelike structure with co-op gameplay, procedurally generated areas, and a unique approach to character builds, especially with a focus on teamwork, allowing for even more variety and combinations as you can finally play as a team in a Souls game. Here’s everything you need to know!

What is Elden Ring: Nightreign?

Nightreign is not a direct sequel to Elden Ring but a standalone expansion-like experience that offers a fresh take on the Souls-like formula. Unlike the original game’s large open-world, Nightreign is a three-player cooperative action RPG where players become "Nightfarers", battling through randomly generated versions of Limgrave, a region in the Elden Ring.

• There is no single-player story mode or traditional legacy dungeons.
• The game retains Elden Ring’s core combat mechanics, but with faster movement speed, no fall damage, and ledge vaulting. You can also revive your teammates by… hitting them. Yes, that’s right, bonk them back to life.
• Each run resets character progression, making it feel more like a roguelike rather than an open-world RPG.

Gameplay Mechanics & How It Differs from Elden Ring

Characters & Customization

• Players choose from eight unique Nightfarers, which each have different abilities.
• No traditional gearing like in Elden Ring, but builds are developed throughout a run by collecting weapons and Relics.
• Relics act as permanent upgrades, giving buffs and advantages that carry over between runs. This is a common way of progressing in most rogue-lite games and should appeal to many enthusiasts of the genre.

Weapons & Inventory

• Unlike Elden Ring, you can only hold six weapons at a time, giving you plenty of choices.
• Some weapons provide passive buffs, so even if you don't equip them, you might still want to take them just for the stats.

Co-op Gameplay & Difficulty Scaling

• Nightreign is designed as a three-player co-op game. Playing solo is possible, but two-player mode is not an option for the time being, so you and your bestie will have to get a third.
• Difficulty scales based on team size, meaning solo players will have a different experience compared to those in a full squad.
• Battles are faster-paced and more action-oriented than in Elden Ring, emphasizing aggressive playstyles (and even more aggressive bosses).

Character Classes

• Wylder: A well-rounded fighter with good speed and strong attacks, essentially a warrior in other games or a melee DPS.
• Guardian: A tough protecting warrior sort of class with powerful defense. This is the equivalent of a Tank in other games.
• Duchess: A fast and nimble fighter who excels in quick attacks and dodging enemies, it is very similar to a Rogue or Assassin.
• Recluse: This is your Mage type character, using magic while staying away from enemies but being very frail if caught out of position.

Each character class in Nightreign also has a unique skill and ultimate attack, further showing off the differences between heroes, it is important to combine these skills with your teammates if you are having a competitive approach.

Connection to Elden Ring’s Story

While Nightreign is set in Elden Ring’s world, it is considered an "alternate reality" rather than a direct continuation of the story. There are hints that it might connect to certain lore elements, such as Miquella’s dreams or Rennala’s magic, but for now, the developers said it is a separate experience.

Beta & Playtest Details

Closed Beta (February 2025) The first closed beta ran from February 14 to February 17, 2025, exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

• It was divided into five three-hour sessions over four days.
• The beta had server stability issues, leading FromSoftware to consider an additional network test before launch, hopefully also allowing PC players to get in on the action.

How to Sign Up for Future Betas

FromSoftware may announce a second beta, especially since server performance was problematic during the first test. Players should follow official Elden Ring social media channels for announcements.

Release Date & Pricing

Nightreign is set to launch on May 30, 2025 across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

• The game will not be similar in price to a triple A game either! It will be around $39.99 for the regular edition and $54,99 for the Deluxe version, with small variants depending on countries.
• It is not a live-service game, meaning all content is available at launch with no ongoing microtransactions or battle passes. However, DLCs are expected to come in as the Deluxe version of the game offers new classes and additional DLCs before Q4 2024.

Conclusion

Elden Ring: Nightreign is shaping up to be a bold experiment for FromSoftware, blending roguelike progression, faster-paced combat, and a multiplayer-first approach. While it lacks the open-world depth of Elden Ring, it introduces new mechanics that could appeal to fans of co-op action RPGs. With a potential second beta and more details to be revealed, Nightreign is set to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2025 and a lot of players are looking forward to it to scratch that itch for another Souls game to play before the next big game in the series.