I don’t think anyone had a battle royale-influenced multiplayer-focused game in mind as what FromSoftware would do after Elden Ring’s success, but the Japanese studio has always been difficult to predict. While it might seem like a horrible idea to combine such different types of games, Elden Ring Nightreign largely succeeds in doing so as long as you come in with an open mind. In fact, it led to some of the freshest and most fun multiplayer experiences I’ve had in recent years.
From dropping into the map from the sky to the large open world shrinking with a circle, there are a lot of familiar multiplayer trappings here. Matches are primarily played with trios, as you decide where to loot (be it chests or the remains of larger enemies that grant you either weapons or permanent upgrades) and map out a strategy for your run. While there are many ways to go about it each time, you’re always trying to flesh out your character over time (while using runes and grace sites to level, just like in the main game) in order to take on the boss fight that happens in the run’s third day (which generally happens about a half-hour into the session).
It’s a fascinating blend of genres and one that took me a while to fully embrace. The biggest adjustment was getting used to going with the flow. I’m so used to playing Souls games with a specific build in mind that it was initially jarring to have to rely on random drops and trying to make the best out of the situation. Once I got over the initial disappointment of not always being able to play in my ideal way, I started to embrace the randomness and try out weapons and skills that I normally wouldn’t build my character around. In a way, the game’s roguelike nature got me out of the shell that I had developed playing the main games, and now I have a much more open-minded way of playing these games in the future.
It is worth mentioning that despite the multiplayer focus, you can play the game solo and offline. Granted, I’m not the most incredible Soulsborne player (I’ve only gotten a Platinum trophy in Elden Ring), but I found the multiplayer to be my preferred way to play, as the enemies are very aggressive and actively distracting them, and working with other players seemed to be more important than ever. There’s already been talk of future balancing updates to make solo play more feasible in the future — and maybe it already is for players that are better than I am — but I only found success (and way more enjoyment) when playing as part of a group of three.
At its best, Elden Ring Nightreign can feel truly epic. A good run slowly builds into something special, as you come across raid bosses for the first time and watch your teammates come up with a solid strategy of complementing each other rather than just all fighting the same foes. Seeing a teammate pull off a clutch revive at the last second or pull off a vital attack on a boss that changes the tide of battle feels incredible, and it’s even cooler when you are the one who manages to be the one your team can rely on.
The game naturally lends itself to grand moments, with the battles against the Night Lords capping off each run — if you can get that far. These are some of the most fearsome and rewarding bosses in a Souls game, which allows for your team to really feel like they accomplished something when successful. More often than not, at least early on, you’ll find yourself on the other side of the stick, which can be disappointing (especially since you can’t just retry a boss fight like in the main games). However, you’re always improving your familiarity with patterns and gaining permanent relics that can aid your future runs, so it never feels like a truly wasted session.
Elden Ring Nightreign Review: Final Verdict
Elden Ring Nightreign is an ambitious experiment from FromSoftware, one that manages to meld its signature Souls gameplay with a run-based multiplayer experience. While it’s possible to play solo and offline, the game is at its best when experienced with others and will underwhelm if played otherwise. However, those who do embrace the significant change will be rewarded with some incredibly memorable gameplay sessions and find themselves enjoying Elden Ring in entirely new ways. It’s certainly not the game I would’ve asked for, but I’m glad FromSoft swerved and delivered something fresh. Take a leap with some like-minded friends, and you won’t regret it, as it’s one of the best co-op PS5 games available as long as you have a dedicated team.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8.5 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Elden Ring Nightreign review.
