| Elden Ring Nightreign | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Take down the Night Lords and reclaim Limveld alongside your fellow nightfarers in Elden Ring Nightreign! Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
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Elden Ring Nightreign Review Overview
What is Elden Ring Nightreign?
Elden Ring: Nightreign is a spin-off of FromSoftware’s acclaimed 2022 title, and it officially launched on May 30, 2025, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. This three-player cooperative action RPG retained the signature Soulslike mechanics that defined the original while introducing a more team-focused experience.
Players assume the roles of one of eight pre-defined characters known as Nightfarers, each with a unique name, appearance, stat build, skill set, weapon arts, and starting equipment. From there, they can choose to cooperate with their team to navigate the perils ahead or explore independently to hunt for items and level up, regrouping as needed.
Set in Limveld, a shadow-drenched parallel realm of Limgrave, the game plunges players into a world steeped in mystery and menace. With the rise of the Nightlord threatening to plunge the realm into further chaos, each Nightfarer embarks on a journey shaped by their own distinct backstory and personal mission.
Elden Ring Nightreign features:
⚫︎ Souls-like
⚫︎ 3 Person Multiplayer
⚫︎ Roguelike Elements
⚫︎ Eight Playable Characters
⚫︎ Day and Night Cycle
⚫︎ Session Based
⚫︎ Spin-off Game
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Elden Ring Nightreign's gameplay and story.
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| Price | $39.99 | ||||
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Elden Ring Nightreign Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Each Nightfarer Class is Unique and Rewarding Night Lords are a Glorious but Difficult Spectacles Gorgeous and Intricate Map Design Engaging Multiplayer Sessions |
No Cross-Platform and Two Player Co-Op Mode Solo Play is a Tarnished Experience Frame Rate Issues |
Elden Ring Nightreign Overall Score - 84/100
Elden Ring: Nightreign doesn’t just turn the page—it rewrites the incantation. FromSoftware hurls its signature Soulsborne savagery into a whirlwind of roguelike madness, crafting a multiplayer experience that feels like the answer to every Tarnished’s phantom plea. Multiplayer is chaotic, it’s relentless, and it’s absurdly fun—an unholy blend of cursed loot, blood-soaked boss fights, and a whole lot of flasks. But for those brave enough to face the storm alone, beware: solo play, while still gripping, teeters on the edge of imbalance—merciless, a bit hollow, and yearning for more.
Elden Ring Nightreign Story - 7/10
Defeat the Night Lords—that’s the goal. Simple on the surface, but the truth lies hidden in the world itself. Limveld whispers its secrets through rich environmental storytelling, while the Remembrance system unveils the haunting fates of the nightfarers you play. Every step unravels enchanting mysteries—of the land, the Night Lords, and yourself.
Elden Ring Nightreign Gameplay - 8/10
Elden Ring: Nightreign is what happens when a Soulslike gets tossed into a roguelike blender—fast, brutal, and addictively replayable. It squeezes Elden Ring’s tension and triumph into 30–45 minute bursts of sweat-soaked chaos. With tons of builds, it's always one more run—that is, if you’ve got friends. Alone, though? It’s like wandering Nokron without grace... a grim, punishing pilgrimage where even the Erdtree’s light feels far away.
Elden Ring Nightreign Visuals - 9/10
Elden Ring Nightreign weaves familiar threads from Elden Ring and Dark Souls into a dazzling new tapestry—breathing fresh life into reused assets with stunning visual tweaks and breathtaking terrain that feels both vast and alive. The true stars? The nightfarers themselves, each boasting unique, striking designs. But beware—the experience sometimes stumbles under frustrating frame rate drops, especially when the multiplayer chaos kicks in, dimming an otherwise captivating world.
Elden Ring Nightreign Audio - 9/10
I’ll definitely miss Yuka Kitamura’s touch as a composer, but Kota Hoshino—best known for his work on the Armored Core series—does an incredible job picking up the torch. The soundtrack is a sweeping orchestral symphony that perfectly captures the soul of the FromSoftware legacy. Just listen to the menu theme—it feels like a hauntingly beautiful fusion of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. I seriously can’t wait for the full soundtrack to drop on Spotify.
Elden Ring Nightreign Value for Money - 9/10
For just $40, this game is an absolute bargain—especially when you consider that Bandai Namco and FromSoftware could’ve easily charged $60 or even $70, given how colossal the Elden Ring IP has become. But that $40 price? It’s the perfect sweet spot. It makes convincing your friends to dive into multiplayer a breeze, setting the stage for countless hours of epic battles, wild adventures, and those unforgettable moments that last until sunrise... before you’re back on your knees, praising the sun once again.
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Elden Ring Nightreign Review: Brighter Than Erdtree Together, Darker in Solitude
I think it’s safe to say we all felt that jolt of surprise when Elden Ring: Nightreign was unveiled during The Game Awards 2024. As a long-time fan of Soulslikes and lover of multiplayer games, I was instantly hooked — this wasn’t just another DLC or expansion. This was something bold. Something different. Finally, a proper multiplayer experience woven into the DNA of a Soulslike.
With every new trailer, the excitement only grew. It was as if FromSoftware had taken their signature formula and thrown it into a blender with elements of survival games, roguelikes, and open-world sandboxes. The result? A chaotic, intriguing cocktail of ideas that looked just as risky as it did exhilarating.
But as much as I was hyped, there was a part of me that couldn’t help but worry — could all these moving parts really come together and work? Could it keep the soul of a Souls game while embracing the spirit of co-op games?
So now, as the night falls… does Nightreign rise?
The Nightfarers are Unsung Heroes of Limveld
You don’t need to have played Elden Ring or any other Soulslike title to enjoy Elden Ring: Nightreign. This spin-off takes place in a parallel timeline, making it entirely accessible to newcomers. From the start, the game eases you in with a detailed tutorial—complete with an early boss fight against the Fell Omen—that helps you get familiar without requiring any knowledge of the original game's lore. At its heart, Nightreign is a fast-paced, roguelike reimagining of the Elden Ring formula. It’s an online co-op survival action game where you and two others work together to endure three in-game days in a procedurally generated world known as Limveld before confronting the powerful Night Lord. Each session lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and you begin every run at level one, relying on gear, strategy, and teamwork to survive.
The Roundtable Hold serves as your central hub, allowing you to switch characters, manage relics, read journals, and find or create multiplayer sessions. While longtime fans might miss the traditional character creation, that hesitation quickly disappears thanks to the Nightfarers—some of the most visually striking and creatively designed characters in the Soulslike genre. Each Nightfarer comes with preset stats, a fixed loadout, one passive ability, a signature skill, and a powerful Art (a kind of ultimate attack). Though they don’t level up in the traditional sense, each character has a defined identity and gameplay style, and they all bring something distinct to the table.
Whether it’s the grappling mobility of Wylder, the defensive utility of Guardian with his whirlwind that knocks enemies into the air and reflects projectiles, or the precise long-range damage of Ironeye, who excels with infinite ammo and great evasion, every Nightfarer feels purposeful and fun to play. Ironeye, for example, quickly became a personal favorite thanks to his high mobility and ability to cheese encounters with smart positioning and Ashes of War enhancements.
Despite their fixed stats, Nightfarers are not locked out of using any weapon in the game. This opens the door to creative builds mid-run, allowing you to adapt on the fly based on what you find. Magic-focused characters like the Recluse can still equip a melee weapon when they need to conserve FP. Each character also comes with its own progression path for HP, FP, and stamina, tailored to suit their role. While you can’t customize how they level up, this design choice actually streamlines the experience—keeping your focus on loot, teamwork, and survival.
It’s less about stat micromanagement and more about tactical decision-making. Think of the Nightfarers more like MOBA-style heroes or champions, where gear and relics define your build rather than stat distribution.
And for those who love to personalize their experience—yes, you can customize your Nightfarers. From changing their appearance to unlocking alternate costumes, there's still plenty of room for self-expression, even within a set roster. I genuinely encourage you to try every single one of them. I won’t spoil too much about how each character plays, but trust me—it’s incredibly satisfying to see how they complement one another in action.
During one of my runs, I was sniping from a distance as Ironeye while my Raider charged ahead, drawing enemy aggro with his Retaliate skill, and our Guardian held the line, shielding us from swarming enemies. Whether you choose to stick with your team for coordinated survival or branch off on your own to hunt for items and level up before regrouping, Nightreign offers a dynamic blend of strategy and freedom that makes every run feel unique.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Nightfarers is that they’re not just blank slates for player self-insertion—they’re fully realized characters with distinct personalities, histories, and quirks. From the moment you step into the Roundtable, their individuality shines through. The Raider drowns his burdens in drink, the Guardian guards the table, the Recluse is quietly absorbed in her books, and my personal favorite—the Executor—is found outside painting, in a moment of calm that’s oddly endearing and just a little bit hilarious.
These aren’t just surface-level traits either. Each Nightfarer has a journal you can read, offering glimpses into their pasts, philosophies, and emotional states. Their stories unfold through a feature called Remembrance Mode, which unlocks memory fragments and quests after completing runs. These aren’t just optional side quests—they’re reflective, sometimes heartbreaking journeys into who these warriors really are. Since the Nightfarers come from entirely different worlds, eras, and realities, each Remembrance feels like opening a window into a unique, self-contained mythos.
To activate a Remembrance, you’ll need to equip it before launching a run. Keep in mind that only one player in a multiplayer session can activate Remembrance Mode at a time, which makes them more suited for solo exploration if you're diving deep into lore. Completing a Remembrance often requires defeating a specific Night Lord using that character, adding both narrative weight and mechanical challenge to each run.
It’s these layers of story, mystery, and emotional texture that make the Nightfarers more than just avatars—they're characters you'll want actually get attached to, and I hope From Software adds these characters to future installments.
The World of Limveld Never Bores
While the Nightfarers are the stars of Nightreign, it’s the hauntingly beautiful world of Limveld that truly keeps you coming back. No matter how many times you drop in, the map never feels stale. Comprised of 13 handcrafted key locations—including the Fort, Evergaol, Great Church, Township, Main Encampment, Sorcerer’s Rise, Tunnel Entrance, Spiritstream, and the towering Spectral Hawk Tree Castle—Limveld offers just the right scale for a three-player survival adventure. It’s compact enough to stay engaging, yet dense with secrets, loot, and lurking threats at every turn.
Yes, FromSoftware reuses a number of environmental assets from Elden Ring, but they’ve reimagined them into something that feels cohesive, fresh, and packed with purpose. Each area has its own flavor, and exploration is always rewarded—whether with hidden quests, elite minibosses, or the rare chance encounter with a roaming Field Boss. There’s also the Shifting Earth mechanic, which shakes up enemy placements and terrain challenges mid-run, keeping even familiar routes unpredictable and offering powerful rewards for those bold enough to engage.
The core structure of Nightreign revolves around surviving three deadly nights before facing the ominous Night Lord. Each day cycle lasts around 10–15 minutes, depending on your team's efficiency, and how you spend that time can be the difference between triumph and ruin. It feels like a clever fusion of Monster Hunter’s tactical prep and looter-shooter randomness—every chest, drop, or reward is dictated by RNG, with loot rarity playing a huge role in your build. Planning your route across Limveld becomes essential: explore too recklessly, and you risk being underpowered; play it too safe, and you may not be ready when the storm hits.
Around the 11-minute mark, you’ll get your first warning: “The Night’s Tide grows stronger.” The ring begins to shrink, corralling you toward a showdown. By the time the message “Rains gather, portending the tide of Night” appears, you know the end of Day One is near—and so is the arrival of the Night Boss.
I'll be honest: it took me several attempts to even survive Night One. But Nightreign embraces the roguelike formula with a clever twist. While you lose your gear and levels between runs, you keep your Relics—persistent passive upgrades that shape your long-term strategy. You can equip multiple relics to stack effects, and in co-op, one of the most invaluable is the one that lets your healing flasks also heal allies. Trust me, it’s a game-changer when your squad’s on the brink.
Before the final night begins, you're transported to the Spirited Shelter—a temporary sanctuary where you can heal, purchase new gear, and prepare for the ultimate confrontation. And let me tell you: the first major boss, Tricephalos (aka Gladius), is an absolute spectacle. With fiery projectiles, sweeping greatsword combos, and devastating chain attacks, he’s the kind of boss that tests every bit of your teamwork and skill. And the best part? He’s just the beginning.
I won’t sugarcoat it—it takes a few runs to really click with Nightreign’s gameplay loop. At first, it can feel a little overwhelming, especially with the clock ticking and the faster-paced structure compared to traditional Souls titles. For newcomers, that pressure can be intimidating. But give it time. Like most Soulslike experiences, trial and error is the name of the game, and soon you’ll find yourself learning the rhythm, adapting your strategies, and embracing the chaos.
While the map isn’t flawless—yes, sometimes you’ll stumble into a stretch of underwhelming loot—it rarely feels dull. The procedural design, randomization, and evolving familiarity with Limveld’s layout keep exploration engaging. That said, I genuinely hope we’ll see additional maps or biomes added down the line to shake things up even more.
Dark Souls 4 Confirmed!?
Okay, I’m joking. But if you're a longtime Dark Souls fan, prepare to be blown away by the sheer amount of callbacks, enemies, and fan service packed into Nightreign. Yes, praise the sun, especially when it comes to the boss fights—particularly the Night Lords. Some familiar faces have already made their return—like the Nameless King and the Centipede Demon—but trust me, there’s so much more waiting to surprise you, and I wouldn’t dare spoil those moments. Part of the magic is discovering them for yourself.
And yes, there’s a lore-based reason behind their return—one that ties beautifully into the game’s greater mystery. What’s even more exciting is that these returning bosses aren’t just copy-pasted; they’ve been reimagined with new mechanics, patterns, and devastating co-op-focused attacks. Expect wide-ranging AoEs, fresh ability sets, and team-based challenges that will keep even veteran players on their toes.
But it’s not just a parade of returning legends. Nightreign introduces entirely new bosses and enemy types, alongside recognizable foes like trolls and Royal Army Knights. The variety is genuinely impressive. And while the current roster of Night Lords stands at eight, I sincerely hope more are added down the line—there’s a wealth of enemies from the series' deep history that deserve the spotlight.
Call on Your Fellow Nightfarers and Claim the Realm of Limveld Back
Multiplayer in Nightreign is refreshingly seamless and clearly built into the DNA of the experience. Setting up a session is quick and intuitive: just head to the Roundtable and select “Expedition” to access matchmaking. From there, go to the Matchmaking Settings tab and choose “Invite Members” to add players from your friends list. You can even set a password for private groups or fill empty slots with random players if you’re short a teammate. It’s as plug-and-play as it gets.
And make no mistake—Nightreign shines brightest in multiplayer. While it’s entirely playable solo, the chaos, strategy, and laughter that come from tackling each run with friends makes it one of the most enjoyable co-op Soulslike experiences I’ve had to date. I’m usually a pretty competitive player, but in Nightreign, I found myself prioritizing fun over performance—laughing as our team rushed headfirst into a boss battle way under-leveled, skipping loot camps entirely, and learning the hard way why patience matters. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade those wild runs for anything.
It’s not perfect, of course. I’d love to see features like a proper in-game voice or text chat system, as right now you’ll be relying on ping markers and quick indicators. A ranking system might have added another layer of replayability, but its absence doesn’t hurt the core experience. If anything, the fact that everyone starts each run on equal footing—no over-leveled teammates steamrolling content—actually makes things more exciting. Your relics carry over, sure, but your gear and stats reset, so each session feels like a fresh adventure.
If you don’t have friends ready to dive in, I highly recommend joining Elden Ring-friendly Discord servers or co-op groups. This game was made to be shared. What’s also fantastic is how the game allows each player to take on a distinct role. Whether you’re a frontline Guardian or a support-based Recluse, the world is designed for cooperative synergy—encouraging players to split up, scout, and strategize routes to survive the nights and prepare for the looming Night Lord.
There’s a unique balance of tension and camaraderie in every multiplayer run, and it adds a ton of replay value. Nightreign doesn’t just support co-op—it embraces it, and I sincerely hope more games in the genre follow its lead.
Do Not Play It Maidenless…or Friendless
The header is an exaggeration. Elden Ring: Nightreign can certainly be played solo, but it’s clear the game was designed from the ground up with multiplayer at its core. Nearly every aspect of its gameplay — from boss design to world exploration — reflects a co-op-first mentality. As a result, playing alone often feels significantly more punishing, and the balance in solo mode leaves much to be desired.
The developers have stated that boss difficulty scales based on the number of players, but many encounters still feel overwhelmingly tuned for groups. Take the Centipede Demon, for example — its massive area-of-effect attacks seem tailored for multiple players to manage, and returning bosses appear even more formidable than their original versions. These encounters, while epic, can feel disproportionately challenging when tackled alone. While I welcome a good challenge — especially in a Soulslike — the big issue lies in how the world itself can undercut that challenge with imbalanced mechanics that make solo play feel more punishing than rewarding.
Limveld, the game’s vast and event-rich world, further emphasizes its multiplayer foundation. Many activities are clearly intended for cooperative exploration and teamwork. Solo players, however, face several disadvantages — not just in combat strength but in how the game’s mechanics work against them. The fast-paced timer and shrinking zone, while engaging in multiplayer, often create unnecessary pressure in solo runs. You’re forced to rush through areas, limiting your ability to explore or properly prepare. Without lucky RNG or ideal root placements, it’s easy to end up underleveled and miss out on much of what the world has to offer.
While there are still enjoyable solo elements, such as the Remembrance, which are single-player quests, the broader experience can often feel frustrating and restrictive without teammates. A slower, more forgiving timer for solo mode and better scaling adjustments would go a long way in making the experience more accessible for players who can’t always play with friends or who may not have a stable internet connection.
There’s potential for solo play to be just as rewarding as co-op, but right now, it needs better balance and support. Hopefully, future updates will address these concerns and help solo Nightfarers fully enjoy what Nightreign has to offer. If you’re planning to play solo for now, I recommend choosing Ironeye — he’s currently the most beginner-friendly character and can reliably cheese through many tough encounters thanks to his bow and arrow playstyle.
Still Lacking in Multiplayer Features
Despite Elden Ring: Nightreign’s clear focus on multiplayer, it’s hard not to feel like several key opportunities were missed. While I can overlook the absence of voice or in-game text chat — even if it makes coordination with random players more tedious — the real letdown is the strict three-player limit. There’s no dedicated two-player mode, which is a surprising omission. I understand the design decision behind this setup, but having a two-player option at launch should have been a no-brainer.
More often than not, it's difficult to coordinate with two friends at once. Convincing one friend to hop on is far easier, but the current setup forces players into a trio — often leading to matches with one random teammate. Unfortunately, syncing up with a stranger can be unreliable, making it difficult to coordinate strategies or assist each other effectively, sometimes even leading to botched runs.
Another significant drawback is the lack of cross-platform support. This feels like a major missed opportunity, especially in today’s multiplayer landscape where crossplay is becoming the norm. I have several friends on PC, but since I’m playing on PS5, we’re completely separated.
Games like Fortnite and Monster Hunter have set a strong precedent by supporting crossplay, and it’s disappointing to see Nightreign fall short in this regard. Given how much multiplayer games rely on a strong, unified player base, cross-platform functionality should be a priority. Adding it would not only improve matchmaking but also make it much easier to convince friends on other platforms to join in.
One last nitpick — I really wish we could see each other’s characters or gather in the host’s hub when forming a party. It’s a small feature, but it would go a long way in making the multiplayer feel more connected and immersive.
Elden Frame Rate
I'm currently playing on the PS5, and while Nightreign is a visual feast in many ways, it’s hard to ignore the noticeable frame rate dips that crop up throughout the experience. They’re not game-breaking, thankfully—but they can be jarring, especially when you’re deep in the action or even just roaming solo, which makes their presence all the more puzzling.
The most common slowdowns seem to hit during transitions between terrain zones or when the screen gets flooded with effects—particularly during large-scale battles with multiple enemies or Night Lords. Things get even more strained when you're in a full three-player party, where the chaos ramps up and so does the stutter.
Given how many assets appear to be reused from Elden Ring, which ran relatively smoothly, it’s surprising to see Nightreign stumble in this area. It’s my hope that the developers are already working on patches to iron these issues out, because they do detract from an otherwise immersive and polished experience. Performance shouldn’t be an afterthought—especially for a game built around fast-paced co-op combat.
Is Elden Ring Nightreign Worth It?
It’s Tarnished but Still Delivers
While Elden Ring: Nightreign isn’t without its flaws, it’s still an incredibly immersive and addictive experience — the kind of game that can easily pull you in for hundreds of hours. What makes it even more exciting is the clear commitment to its future: the director has confirmed that the team is actively refining the game and preparing to roll out new content. There’s even buzz about co-op features being added post-launch, hinting at even more reasons to return to its haunting world.
The multiplayer is by no means perfect, but just the fact that you can effortlessly you can hop in and out of sessions without the usual Soulsborne headaches of losing builds or getting stuck on bosses is enough of a steal. It finally offers the fast-paced sessions based multiplayer-based experience many of us Souls fans have long wished for — similar to other popular multiplayer games — allowing you to simply jump in and enjoy the action with friends or strangers alike.
Solo play is still fun despite its flaws, but for the best experience, teaming up with friends is highly recommended. Just a quick note before purchasing: make sure your group settles on a platform in advance, as cross-platform play is not currently supported and may never be.
It’s a fantastic entry point for newcomers to the Soulslike genre, offering a faster-paced and more streamlined take on the classic formula. At the same time, it caters to veterans by preserving the series’ signature difficulty and depth — and even expanding on it. With a wide range of builds and playstyles to experiment with, it offers a fresh, nuanced approach to challenge and fun alike.
Even better, it’s a great way to introduce friends who’ve never played a Soulslike before. The accessible multiplayer lets you guide them through the experience together, making it easier — and more enjoyable — to bring new players into the fold. And with a perfectly reasonable $40 price tag, it’s an excellent value for both new and returning fans.
| Steam |
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| Price | $39.99 | ||||
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Elden Ring Nightreign FAQ
Which Nightfarer Classes Are Available at the Start of Elden Ring: Nightreign?
⚫︎ Wylder
⚫︎ Guardian
⚫︎ Ironeye
⚫︎ Raider
⚫︎ Recluse
⚫︎ Executor
Do You Need PS Plus or Game Pass Core to Play Elden Ring: Nightreign Online?
Yes, if you're on PlayStation or Xbox, you'll need PS Plus or Game Pass Core for online play — but you can still enjoy the single-player offline without it.
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Elden Ring Nightreign Product Information
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| Title | Elden Ring Nightreign |
|---|---|
| Release Date | May 30, 2025 |
| Developer | FromSoftware, Inc. |
| Publisher | FromSoftware, Inc., Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Supported Platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series XIS, Xbox One, PC |
| Genre | genres here |
| Number of Players | 1-3 |
| ESRB Rating | M |
| Official Website | Elden Ring Nightreign Website |
