Get ready for an exciting new journey with Elden Ring Nightreign, a co-op adventure expanding the rich universe of Elden Ring. Set to hit PlayStation 5 and PS4 on May 30, this fresh and standalone experience by FromSoftware draws players into exhilarating co-op PvE battles against the encroaching darkness and all its lurking terrors.
We were lucky enough to dive into this world early with a sneak peek during the network test* prior to its public release on February 14. So, keep reading as I share my first impressions from our dangerous escapade through the realm of Limveld.
*Please note that this test featured a build still in development, meaning some game elements like specs, names, and parameters might change in the final version.
### Dive into High-Speed Gameplay with All the Classic RPG Charm
For fans of the original Elden Ring, the solo journey offered a peaceful exploration pace where you could explore without rushing. You could even pause to catch your breath, provided you found a safe haven.
However, Elden Ring Nightreign flips the script with its emphasis on three-player co-op survival action. This means you’re constantly on your toes, staying aware of your team’s moves whether you’re acting as a unit or venturing out alone.
Why the alertness? It’s all due to Nightreign’s Night’s Tide mechanic, which gradually shrinks your exploration zone and ultimately forces a showdown with a formidable boss. Strengthening and upgrading your characters, as well as your party, before nightfall is key to surviving this boss encounter. This encourages you to adapt swiftly to fast, kinetic gameplay and make decisions in a heartbeat.
### New Moves Add Intensity to Co-op Gameplay
While Elden Ring Nightreign retains some move sets familiar to Elden Ring players, it also introduces fresh new actions and techniques. Imagine wall jumping and soaring through the air on Spectral Hawks—with no fall damage whatsoever.
Additionally, instead of the typical dash, you can sprint by holding down L3. This sprint matches Torrent’s speed, the well-known spectral steed from Elden Ring. The experience felt as if I was speed-running the game, leaping off cliffs with abandon. It maintains all the excitement of the original but feels like a novel iteration all its own.
### Resurrect Your Comrades by Attacking Them
A nifty, if unexpected, mechanic here allows your teammates to save you from near-death by attacking you. You can even lock on to a fallen ally, rescuing them with long-range attacks from safety. Once you deplete the dying player’s meter, they’re saved. But watch out, the more they fall, the longer and more challenging the meter becomes.
During the day, any players not revived in time will die and respawn later. At night, however, they remain close to death, awaiting rescue. Visiting a Site of Grace resets their meter. The implications of death differ from the original game, ingeniously placing your co-op partners in jeopardy.
### Fierce Enemies Lead to Glorious Victories
Elden Ring Nightreign carves its identity with challenging yet gratifying boss fights, upholding the high difficulty bar set by Dark Souls and Elden Ring. It’s the type of game where persistence through trial and error will inch you forward.
Our initial five attempts at completing the run ended in just one successful mission. Each setback prompted us to delve deeper into exploration, formulating strategies and noting boss patterns. Each run lasts roughly 35-40 minutes, and during our four-hour session, we managed to slay the Nightlord on the final day of our fifth run—earning that triumphant moment of fist-pumping joy.
### Band Together to Beat the Odds
Getting the hang of co-op gameplay took time, but saving a dying teammate or equipping them with a better-suited weapon presented tangible ways to support the team. While you can wander off on your own, taking on the world’s challenges is genuinely rewarding when done together.
Success came when my team coordinated, marking map locations, tackling significant foes as a unit, and boosting our resources at churches, gearing us up for an epic showdown with the Nightlord. As our journey unfolded, each teammate mastered their heroes, making skilled use of their special abilities and Ultimates. There’s a satisfying bond that builds in co-op play, one of the compelling draws of this gaming style.
Mark your calendars for May 30 when Elden Ring Nightreign launches on both PS5 and PS4.
