Elden Ring Nightreign Has One Simple Feature Every FromSoftware Game Needs

The Elden Ring: Nightreign game deviates slightly from typical FromSoftware productions, offering a change that could benefit future games.

For devoted FromSoftware enthusiasts, the enigmatic nature of their games is a significant allure. The main storyline and even side quests are mostly communicated through sparse dialogue and a substantial dose of environmental storytelling. This ambiguity permeates every game, a trait that, ironically, even the studio’s most ardent supporters are starting to find tiring. Quite often, progressing in a questline can be challenging due to lack of guidance about where to go next, but Nightreign addresses this issue effectively, despite its strong emphasis on cooperative multiplayer gameplay.

FromSoftware Should Make Nightreign’s Quest Markers A Permanent Feature

Remembrance Quests Are A Big Step Forward

After years of players longing for improved quest systems from FromSoftware, that wish was finally granted in Elden Ring Nightreign. Now, proper quest markers are clearly displayed on your map as part of Remembrance Quests. These are a collection of interconnected questlines linked to each playable character and the eight Nightfarers in Nightreign. Most of the game’s story is told through these questlines. As you journey with each character, new Remembrances will unlock, appearing as playable flashbacks.

During the flashback, you’ll often need to roam around the Roundtable Hold, interacting with other Nightfarers or the Iron Manial, the caretaker. Although it’s usually evident who you should converse with, the locations of everyone within the Roundtable Hold are constantly shifting. To spare you from aimlessly wandering, Nightreign marks the necessary NPC’s icon on your map with a bright yellow exclamation point. This way, you can easily find who you need to speak to.

In most instances, achieving a Remembrance leads to a Character receiving a Personal Goal, an essential task that must be accomplished within Limveld during an expedition. If the goal isn’t explicitly defined, like vanquishing a specific Nightlord, Nightreign offers additional ease by placing a red marker on your map as soon as you start a match with an active Personal Objective. This marker helps guide you directly to where you need to go in order to fulfill the objective.

In many FromSoftware games, including Sekiro, it hasn’t been common to have quest markers since titles such as Demon’s Souls didn’t include maps like Elden Ring and Nightreign. However, it’s long past time for a FromSoftware game to make questing easier, as getting lost in their intricate game world design is often intentional. While quests were manageable in the more linear games like Dark Souls, they have become a significant challenge for players navigating Elden Ring’s expansive world.

Nightreign Solved A Problem Elden Ring Still Struggles With

NPC Icons Help A Little

It’s intriguing that despite Nightreign being an unusual spin-off, it’s notable that it includes quest markers – something FromSoftware has long been missing. Although I can appreciate the viewpoint that these features wouldn’t fit in games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne, given the absence of a map, it could be argued that Elden Ring should have been the game to introduce quest markers. The world of the Lands Between may not be incredibly vast, but it’s highly dense, making it challenging to discern how and when a quest can progress.

In the initial release of Elden Ring, figuring out where NPCs were located was largely a matter of chance, as you had to accidentally come across them during gameplay. This can be particularly challenging for those who prefer to play without prior knowledge, like many fans of FromSoftware. Additionally, without a quest log, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of numerous characters after extended playtimes exceeding tens of hours.

In the update following the release of Elden Ring, FromSoftware made it easier to locate each NPC by adding an icon to the map. However, figuring out what you need to do to progress a questline can still be challenging, especially for those with multiple steps beyond just finding the related character. While FromSoftware’s unique approach to quest design is characteristic of their modern RPGs, it might be time to reconsider this style after Nightreign, as it could benefit from some streamlining or clarification.

Nightreign’s Story Is Surprisingly Good & Easy To Experience

Unexpected From The Roguelite

In a surprising twist, Nightreign’s roguelike structure appears to contrast with FromSoftware’s typical narrative style, yet it manages to keep players hooked. This game ingeniously integrates its mechanics into the gameplay experience. Unlike FromSoftware’s games such as Elden Ring, where crucial story elements are often hidden in item descriptions, Nightreign’s fast-paced gameplay doesn’t allow for lengthy reading sessions. Instead, the game motivates you to explore each of the eight characters to fully unravel the interwoven tale they all share.

In some aspects, Nightreign brings to mind the storytelling style of Sekiro. Instead of a linear progression like the Hirata Estate, each Remembrance serves as a flashback, but these moments are more fragmented. The game creatively combines a roguelite structure with each Nightfarer’s tale. As you fight against the Nightlords, their battles have impacted their memories, allowing you to discover both their past and the history of the Roundtable Hold. Simultaneously, you progress the current narrative by embarking on regular expeditions.

In Nightreign, unlike traditional FromSoftware games, you’ll find yourself deeply immersed in the ensemble cast. While the developer’s characters often leave lasting impressions, they are often secondary to gameplay in other games. However, in Nightreign, all eight Nightfarers share a common goal and their consistent presence at the Roundtable keeps you closely connected to their story, enhancing your involvement.

In this rendition of the Lands Between, each character possesses their unique charm and adds a layer to the intriguing yet enigmatic tapestry. The emotional intensity is palpable as you encounter resistance from the Nightlords in Limveld, time and again. At first glance, Elden Ring Nightreign might appear simple, but as quest markers guide your journey, a rich character development unfolds, leading to an engaging and unforeseen storyline that transcends the typical roguelite genre.

2025-06-03 05:28