Elden Ring Nightreign Is More Enjoyable When You Don’t Play It Like Elden Ring

As a devoted fan, I must admit that while Elden Ring Nightreign has undeniably been a blockbuster hit with an astounding player base, it’s left quite a divide within FromSoftware’s cherished collection of games for me and many other players. The experience seems to leave some of us scratching our heads a bit.

The confusion doesn’t dissipate when you consider the absence of certain multiplayer elements such as crossplay, voice chat, and duo runs in the game. However, it’s not just the missing features that have left us puzzled, but also the fact that Nightreign represents a significant departure from the typical FromSoftware titles we know and love.

In essence, Nightreign appears to be the black sheep among the Soulsborne series, and perhaps it would prove more enjoyable if approached differently than these familiar games.

Nightreign incorporates an abundance of resources not just from Elden Ring, but also the Dark Souls series. This includes the reappearance of bosses and enemies from previous games, designed to haunt players once more. Although Limveld bears a resemblance to Limgrave, the Roundtable Hold returns, and Lost Graces continue to facilitate leveling up, the game’s structure is markedly distinct from anything FromSoftware has produced before, making comparisons elsewhere more suitable. The combat maintains the distinctive Soulsborne style, but for a smoother gaming experience, it may be beneficial to approach the game like other roguelites.

Elden Ring Nightreign Is A Rogue-Lite Through And Through

And Should Be Treated That Way To Enjoy It

While it can be more fun to conquer Nightreign with two other friends, enduring the challenging boss battle known as Limveld (which is notoriously tough even by FromSoftware standards), recent adjustments have made solo play more feasible. Changing one’s perspective could help players grasp the game better. With enemies resembling those found in Elden Ring, Soulsborne-style combat, and a significant portion of the community stemming from Elden Ring, some may approach the game as if it were an expansion pack. I made this mistake myself, leading to a bit of confusion.

Trying to play Nightreign similarly to Elden Ring with friends proved challenging due to the fast-paced gameplay which made it hard to keep tabs on required items, manage abilities, and stay in sync with fellow Nightfarers. However, as I got a better grasp of the game’s mechanics and its loop, it resembled other rogue-lites from my Steam library more, making the frustrations easier to handle and the repetition less daunting, instead viewing it as an acceptable learning process.

In Elden Ring, weapons often shape gameplay, but some Nightfarers, particularly Wylder, may follow this pattern. However, exceptions like the Recluse and Revenant are characters whose playstyles are primarily defined by their inherent abilities. This trait is common in many contemporary rogue-lites and deviates significantly from traditional fantasy Soulsborne games such as Elden Ring and Dark Souls. The swift movement is also a significant shift, although the climbing can be awkward at times. This adds a new dimension to the Elden Ring IP that it didn’t have before Nightreign.

Nightreign Is Less Like Elden Ring And More Like Risk Of Rain 2

Comparing The Titles Helped Me Understand Nightreign More

In essence, despite having distinct battle mechanisms, Nightreign and Risk of Rain 2 share some common traits, particularly as top-tier contemporary rogue-lites. They both provide a cooperative rogue-like adventure featuring unique character toolkits, and the gameplay revolves around them exploring a map in search of items to enhance these skills. Time is a crucial factor in both games, although in unique manners; they are both heavily dependent on player communication to maximize the co-op experience, even though they can also be enjoyed individually for an increased difficulty level.

In essence, Risk of Rain 2 seems to offer a glimpse into what Nightreign might evolve into after additional updates, particularly in terms of its multiplayer capabilities. The fact that players can undertake quests solo, in pairs, trios, or teams of four makes the game more inclusive and adaptable, a quality that Nightreign could benefit from to address its communication challenges. Despite both games lacking voice chat options for some reason, Risk of Rain 2 compensates with text chat functionality.

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that it appears Nightreign is set for continued updates, particularly following the latest patch. This could potentially mean that we might witness the game expanding in similar ways to Risk of Rain 2, with additional modes, more engaging gameplay loops, and possibly even new Nightfarers.

However, what Nightreign really needs to thrive long-term is improved multiplayer functionality. While its initial surge in popularity is thanks to being associated with Elden Ring IP, this ironically sets up players for the wrong expectations. To truly benefit from lasting appeal, it’s crucial that we can enjoy a seamless and engaging multiplayer experience in Nightreign.

Players Need To Change Their Expectations To Enjoy Nightreign

A Different Director Has Produced A Different Vision

Despite being part of the Elden Ring intellectual property, Nightreign offers a unique journey crafted by first-time director Junya Ishizaki. However, the absence of certain multiplayer features might give an impression of inexperience. The use of the Elden Ring IP and similarities in combat mechanics and enemies may have led some to expect a brief Elden Ring experience with friends, but this assumption has caused disappointment. Approaching Nightreign with an Elden Ring mindset could potentially lead to dissatisfaction rather than enjoyment.

In Nightreign, unlike Elden Ring, my fate won’t always be in my hands – it’ll hinge on the roll of the dice, the loot I gather, and the bosses that confront me every night. This game isn’t as straightforward as others, and I’ll need to be nimble and adaptable to navigate its breakneck speed. Fortunately, Nightreign feels more manageable than other rogue-lite games with RNG components, such as Risk of Rain 2, Hades, or even God of War: Ragnarok. Comparing it to these titles helps me accept the unpredictability that’s inherent in Nightreign.

In essence, “Elden Ring Nightreign” might not appeal to every fan of Soulsborne games. Unlike the predictable nature of Soulsborne titles, this game encourages players to utilize all their resources, which is something the Soulsborne community often avoids. To a seasoned player who has tried several Soulsborne games and rogue-lites, “Nightreign” seems to align more with rogue-lites than Soulsborne games. While it shares some similarities with “Elden Ring”, it’s essential to recognize that “Nightreign” stands on its own merits and should be treated as a unique entity.

2025-06-03 19:47