ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN takes the beloved Souls formula and transforms it into something entirely different – a cooperative roguelike experience that’s both thrilling and frustrating in equal measure. In this review of ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, we’ll break down what makes Nightreign special, examine its biggest challenges, and help you decide if this ambitious spin-off is worth your time and money. This isn’t your typical Elden Ring adventure where you can take your time exploring at your own pace. Instead, it’s a race against time where every decision matters, every teammate counts, and one mistake can end your entire run.

The Core Experience

What sets NIGHTREIGN apart from other Souls games is how much it relies on strategy and coordination. From the moment you drop into the map, you need to work with your team to plan your route, decide which areas to explore first, and figure out how to level up efficiently. The game features several key locations like Marika Church, Fort, Great Church, Sorcerer’s Rise, Main Encampment, Gaol, and a massive Castle at the center of the map.

The gameplay unfolds across different phases, each with its own priorities. During the first night, your main goal is reaching Marika Church and hitting level 8 or 9, which gives you a solid foundation for tougher challenges ahead. Starting with nearby small camps is usually the safest bet – they offer quick resources and let you reach Level 2 without much risk. From there, you can tackle bigger areas like the Fort or Main Encampment for better loot and experience.

The second night changes everything. Now you need to hunt for weapons with specific elemental properties to counter the Nightlord bosses that appear later. The game shows you which elements can be found where through small map icons, but figuring out the best strategy still requires experience and planning. Fighting field bosses becomes crucial during this phase since they drop better gear and boost your weapon rank.

Combat and Character Progression

If you’re expecting NIGHTREIGN to play exactly like Elden Ring, you’re in for a surprise. While the basic combat mechanics feel familiar, the game throws curveballs that keep even experienced players on their toes. Every enemy can potentially kill you easily, and dying means losing a level and having to return to your death spot to recover your runes – adding serious pressure during intense moments.

What makes things even trickier is that NIGHTREIGN doesn’t just feature Elden Ring bosses. You’ll encounter enemies and bosses from across the entire Souls series, making fights unpredictable, especially for newer players. Bosses like the Gaping Dragon from Dark Souls 1, the Smelter Demon from Dark Souls 2, and familiar faces like the Fell Omen and Draconic Tree Sentinel from Elden Ring all make appearances.

But here’s the kicker – these returning bosses are actually harder than their original versions. They come with new attack patterns, extended combos, and faster reaction speeds. Even the already challenging Godskin Duo now has entirely new moves that make the fight feel fresh and more intense. This means you can’t rely on old strategies; you’ll need to relearn boss patterns and stay adaptable.

NIGHTREIGN includes an interesting progression system that extends beyond individual runs. Through Relics, you can gain passive bonuses and upgrades that carry over between games. However, the strongest Relics are tied to specific classes, and unlocking them requires completing class-specific side missions.

To access these missions, you need to start a Remembrance and try to complete it. Some require exploring certain areas or defeating specific bosses. Successfully completing these challenges rewards you with personal class Relics that significantly boost your performance when using that class in future runs. You can also unlock cosmetic skins for your characters, which don’t affect gameplay but let you personalize your look and show off your progress.

Multiplayer: Great Concept, Rough Execution

Since NIGHTREIGN is built around cooperative play, the multiplayer experience should be its strongest feature. Unfortunately, this is where the game struggles most. Instead of using dedicated servers, the game relies on peer-to-peer connections, which creates several problems.

During boss fights, bosses can randomly freeze on some players’ screens while others continue attacking. You can’t tell if the boss is actually taking damage or if the fight is bugged. In a game where timing and teamwork are critical, and one mistake can ruin an entire run, these connection issues seriously disrupt the experience.

The matchmaking system is equally frustrating. Sometimes you’ll find a match in 30 seconds, other times it takes 4-5 minutes or longer. The system might quickly find two players but then get stuck waiting for the third, forcing you to cancel and reconnect multiple times just to get a full team.

Perhaps most problematic is the lack of communication tools. There’s no voice chat, and the ping system is very limited. You can ping a location, but there’s no way to clarify what action should be taken there. For a game that demands tight cooperation, we really need simple commands like “Group Up,” “Retreat,” or “Focus on Boss.” Playing with strangers often feels like a guessing game, with players resorting to jumping or spinning in circles to signal each other.

Learning Curve: Steep and Unforgiving

NIGHTREIGN provides very little in-game guidance, making the learning curve extremely steep for new players. If you want to play effectively, you’ll need to read community-made guides or watch tutorials – none of this information comes from the game’s tutorial. This reliance on external resources makes the game less accessible than it could be.

Even experienced Elden Ring players shouldn’t expect to master NIGHTREIGN immediately. You’ll likely need at least 50 hours just to get comfortable with the mechanics and flow. The combination of roguelike elements, time pressure, and revamped boss patterns creates a challenging experience that demands patience and practice.

Despite its flaws, NIGHTREIGN can deliver some truly memorable moments. When you have good teammates, stable connections, and everything clicks together, the game becomes incredibly fun and rewarding. The sense of progression from exploring small camps to tackling major bosses feels genuinely satisfying. Whether you’re making a desperate push toward Marika Church before night falls or finally defeating a revamped classic boss, the victories feel well-earned.

The game’s world is packed with meaningful content, and the challenge level keeps you engaged throughout. For Souls fans who enjoy the thrill of tough fights and hard-earned teamwork victories, NIGHTREIGN offers something unique in the series.

Verdict

Elden Ring: NIGHTREIGN is an ambitious experiment that succeeds in some areas while struggling in others. When everything works – from tight teamwork to smooth connections and strategic planning – it delivers some of the most intense and satisfying moments in any FromSoftware title. The revamped classic bosses, strategic depth, and cooperative focus create a unique experience that stands apart from traditional Souls games.

If you’re a Souls fan who enjoys challenging cooperative gameplay, roguelike progression, and facing revamped classic bosses with friends, Nightreign offers a rewarding and intense experience worth trying. The game shines when played with a coordinated group of friends who are willing to learn and adapt together.

However, the multiplayer connectivity issues, inconsistent matchmaking, lack of proper communication tools, and steep learning curve hold the game back from reaching its full potential. The reliance on community guides and external resources also makes it less welcoming to newcomers.

Played on PS5, Code provided by Bandai Namco Entertainment Singapore