In contrast to its predecessors in the Soulslike genre, Elden Ring Nightreign offers a unique perspective, as it deviates slightly from the usual formula that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director behind FromSoftware’s popular titles such as Sekiro and Demon Souls, has been overseeing. For this new spinoff, the creative reins are being handed to a fresh director.
Junya Ishizaki took over as director for “Elden Ring Nightreign,” but the journey wasn’t simple. Creating a fresh gameplay experience from old favorites is undeniably tough, and Ishizaki openly acknowledges this difficulty himself.
Building the Elden Ring world with both roguelike and Soulslike elements was a huge task in Nightreign

Software has suffered significant repercussions in the past for allowing others to dictate its games’ direction. For example, the game Dark Souls 2, which wasn’t helmed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, remains a topic of contention among fans. Nevertheless, Miyazaki himself acknowledges it as a decent game, and it paved the way for the development of Elden Ring. Without that experience, Elden Ring might not have been born.
The debate surrounding Dark Souls 2 kept FromSoftware from venturing into the genre for some time. However, following Elden Ring’s release, Junya Ishizaki was assigned to develop a spinoff, signaling a shift in strategy. In essence, FromSoftware was taking another risk to determine if a new approach would prove successful.
In his conversation with PlayStation Japan, Ishizaki discussed the challenge of expanding upon the concept of Elden Ring, and incorporating a roguelike element into the mix. Specifically, he shared insights on the creative process behind reimagining the game’s design.
I struggled with everything, particularly when it came to updating the game design based on previous projects and making substantial rule changes. It was crucial to evaluate if the game was taking shape effectively and assess its quality as a game.
The game Elden Ring Nightreign is thoughtfully created to be played by a team of three players. Although some gamers have bravely chosen to play it alone, the game’s battles are carefully balanced with a trio in mind. This is according to Ishizaki’s explanation of the adjustments he made during game development.
As a fan, I find myself torn between enjoying the intense negotiations with the enemy and wanting more people to share in the fun and well-being. However, given the expansive nature and unpredictable twists of the battle, I’ve come to realize that three characters seem to strike the right balance.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to see FromSoftware allowing others to channel their passion into new games, and Elden Ring Nightreign is a testament to this fact. It’s heartening to witness that the FromSoftware franchise can be handled with such finesse, even when it’s not solely led by the community. Taking the bold step of letting Miyazaki take a step back for this project means giving others an opportunity to shine and grow within the realm of this esteemed company.
Junya Ishizaki made sure Nightreign doesn’t feel too different from the OG formula
As a passionate admirer, I can relate to Junya Ishizaki’s sentiments when he mentioned the struggle in making Elden Ring Nightreign feel harmonious with its Soulslike counterparts. It wasn’t about creating an entirely new experience; instead, the aim was to ensure that our game didn’t stray too far from familiar grounds while still integrating roguelike concepts. This journey required us to navigate through numerous trials and errors before we found the perfect balance.
Instead of rushing into making changes blindly, we faced the challenge of striking an equilibrium. We wanted to ensure that the modifications didn’t transform the game into something unrecognizable, or subpar, while still maintaining the essence of Elden Ring.
Though Elden Ring: Nightreign could be considered a standalone game, it carries the essence of its predecessors. It’s essentially a heartfelt tribute to the fans enamored with the Soulsborne series, inviting them to explore and experience a fresh realm side by side.
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2025-05-30 18:45