Singleplayer Elden Ring Nightreign is no longer hell to play, but it’s still a compromised game of 30-minute boss runbacks

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As a self-proclaimed solitaire type, I generally steer clear of multiplayer games. However, even I, who prefers FromSoftware’s titles as personal endeavors, have been drawn into the social aspect of Elden Ring Nightreign. It’s surprising, but I find myself engaged.

Although I usually play games alone and find FromSoftware games to be my solo adventures, I’ve been pulled into the multiplayer of Elden Ring Nightreign, something I didn’t expect!

Both versions convey the same message but use different tones and sentence structures for variety.

Initially, I assumed that I would be playing alone for a significant portion of the game. However, I soon discovered that Nightreign’s singleplayer experience amplifies all the game’s shortcomings to their peak irritation point. Two updates have significantly improved the solo experience, to the point where I believe it has reached its optimal level, at least within the structured, run-based format developed by FromSoftware. If you find yourself waiting indefinitely for a queue and none of your friends are available online, playing alone is an alternative you might consider.

If you’re a challenge-loving YouTuber or if these games have an unhealthy grip on you with a touch of self-importance, I must admit there’s a certain allure here that says “just one more try against this opponent.” I fear I’ve become too engrossed and I am determined to conquer the Darkdrift Knight, regardless of the random factors at play.

What’s still busted?

I have three primary issues with Nightreign as a whole: The game’s mysterious nature and faulty user interface, the annoyance of losing progress and having to travel back to the boss for a long time, and the game’s harsh, sometimes even teasingly malicious Random Number Generator (RNG). These problems are amplified when playing alone, adding to the stress and isolation.

As a devoted fan, I can attest that the initial refusal of the game to clarify fundamental mechanics was particularly challenging when I embarked on my solo journey. However, as I delved deeper into the game, this issue seemed less daunting over time.

One aspect that FromSoft has consistently addressed in their games is the boss runback – the duration between a checkpoint and a boss room for repeated attempts. Interestingly, with each new release, they’ve significantly reduced this gap, to the point where it’s hardly a concern in Elden Ring.

The Game.” Despite recent updates that enhance rewards for being defeated by the Nightlord, the sense of loss when a run ends in Nightreign is more intense than any other roguelike I’ve experienced. This could be due to how significantly the challenge escalates towards the final boss, making runs that make it to day 3 particularly rare and precious.

Lacking backup makes the already immense risk even more absurd, and no matter how harshly FromSoftware inflicts damage, the Nightlords were specifically crafted for three players. Losing to a boss that seems tailor-made for a team, knowing it’ll be another 30 minutes before you can try again, and not having anyone to share your frustration with is a truly disheartening experience.

Additionally, the matter of Random Number Generation (RNG) arises frequently in discussions: One of the most basic and frustrating scenarios for players involves starting a run, hoping to encounter camps containing the specific elemental weapons that effectively counter the Nightlord, yet finding either a scarcity or no camps at all with guaranteed drops of such weapons.

Today, I tried the latest update, and during two separate solo adventures with the archer character Ironeye against the vulnerable-to-non-lightning enemy, the Darkdrift Knight, I encountered just three lightning-based camps on the map. In my first run, there was one such camp; in the second run, I found two.

None of them produced a lightning bow for my archer character. Nightreigned yet again.

What’s gotten better?

FromSoftware’s updates have done a commendable job in reducing the frustrations of playing alone, and without further changes to create a more solo-friendly game structure (which seems unlikely given Nightreign’s focus), I believe we can expect the experience to be as optimal as it will be.

In this game, self-revivals are evenly distributed: You receive a complimentary chance to come back during each climactic battle (the first night’s boss, the second night’s boss, and Nightlord). Every merchant offers a Wending Grace item for purchase, providing an additional revival. However, you can only buy one on the initial two days. The final day merchant has an extra one. This results in having two chances to revive during each night boss encounter, and three in the final battle.

In single-player mode, it now seems that the enemy’s health is more akin to the base health in Elden Ring, making combat feel less like attacking a raid boss’s health pool designed for three players. Faster character advancement in solo play helps compensate for the slower pace of camp clearing when you don’t have allies supporting you.

Nightreign has reached its limit for single-player gameplay, offering an experience that’s been significantly reduced but still usable. My focus on playing Darkdrift Knight alone stems from the desire to accomplish Ironeye’s final memory quest. Playing solo is generally a practical approach to clearing remembrances without disturbing other players or interrupting important story moments with coordination calls.

For individuals like myself, who tend to prefer solitude, there are numerous conditions attached to Nightreign that make it challenging to wholeheartedly suggest it as a standalone adventure for those without a deep affinity or tolerance for the complex and demanding gameplay often associated with Souls series.

This gametype functions optimally as an additional play mode option. If I were to advise a reasonable amount of time… perhaps 15 minutes out of each hour you play? However, if you aim for the career of a hardcore challenge run YouTuber, then Sekiro’s Ongbal has already soloed Nightreign’s final boss just two days after release, and his video showcases him soloing every Nightlord in the game. The rest of us regular players might have more enjoyment playing with a team.

1. Elden Ring Nightreign Guides: Kickstart your journey the right way

2. Nightreign Tier Rankings: Top-tier Nightfarers to follow

3. Ideal Nightreign Rune Farming Route: Boost your level quickly

4. Optimal Nightreign Team Compositions: Achieving squad success

5. Premium Nightreign Relics: Essential items for the journey

6. List of Nightreign Bosses: Conquering every Nightlord

7. Nightreign Character Quests: All Remembrances detailed

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2025-06-03 00:32