1 Missing Feature That Could Make Elden Ring Nightreign Game of the Year

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I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elden Ring Nightreign, and I find myself glancing at my calendar every day – only 25 more days before I embark on an adventure through Limveld alongside my Nightfarer companions!

In a new take by FromSoftware, their team-up game is set to bring the challenging combat style we’ve grown fond of despite its difficulty, now infused with a refreshing rogue-like approach that has gamers eagerly anticipating.

Despite my thorough examination of each trailer and sneak peek, there’s something bothering me persistently. Given that this game emphasizes “collaboration,” it seems oddly missing a crucial aspect, like discovering your prized Greatsword unexpectedly has a hidden durability stat. It’s the kind of detail that could make or break the experience, potentially elevating it from “good game” to “Game of the Year contender.

The Lands Between platforms

It appears that my dilemma is this: Over the past year, I’ve been gradually improving my computer bit by bit (still hoping for a price decrease on the 9070 XT), while my Discord friends have already pre-ordered the game Nightreign for their new PS5s. Due to their older systems, they weren’t able to run the game with its full visual splendor. In contrast, I haven’t owned a PlayStation since the days of the PS2, thus creating a situation where I might miss out on playing the game with them because my system is too advanced for it.

The multiplayer feature of Elden Ring: Nightreign doesn’t support crossplay, which is quite disappointing considering the game focuses heavily on cooperative play. This division among platforms seems particularly harsh, as it means that PS5 players can only team up with PS4 players, and Xbox Series X/S users can only join forces with Xbox One gamers. Regrettably, PC players are unable to join console users, and PlayStation and Xbox players cannot explore together either.

In a recent interview with IGN, Director Junya Ishizaki clarified that, just like Elden Ring originally, players can engage in cross-generational play but not cross-platform play. This choice seems surprising considering the game’s focus on teamwork through its relic system and encroaching fire mechanics.

It seems to me that they’ve grasped the technical hurdles, but the absence of crossplay in FromSoftware games feels like a missed opportunity when popular titles such as Fortnite and Call of Duty have made it commonplace. The game’s unique dynamic environments and roguelike progression make it ideal for fostering camaraderie among friends, regardless of their preferred gaming platform.

The 2025 GOTY battlefield just got wilder

Due to Rockstar’s surprising announcement that GTA 6 won’t be released until May 2026, the race for Game of the Year in 2025 has become incredibly competitive. A title that was previously predicted as a strong favorite no longer has a chance at the top prize.

As a passionate gamer, I find myself in awe of Elden Ring Nightreign’s unique standing. Though there are aspects that have left me with a few gripes, the reputation of FromSoftware guarantees it a seat at the table. However, let me tell you, the competition this year is nothing short of brutal, and Elden Ring will certainly need to bring its A-game to stand out amidst such a crowded field.

2025’s Game of the Year (GOTY) candidates got an exciting start with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a game that demonstrated MachineGames’ versatility beyond just creating Nazi-shooting simulators. In February, we saw two heavyweight releases: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which fulfilled its medieval promise on the 4th, and Monster Hunter Wilds, which had players tirelessly hunting for the perfect gear set when it released on the 28th.

In March, Hazelight Studios’ “Split Fiction” continued to hold its Metacritic score of over 90 since its release on the 6th. Remarkably, director Josef Fares and his team surpassed their previous Game of the Year winner by crafting a cooperative experience that flawlessly (and in an almost enchanting way) merges science fiction and fantasy realms.

Since its late April debut, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” has been causing quite a stir in the gaming community. This Belle Époque-inspired role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive is currently selling like hotcakes, having already surpassed the million mark in sales within merely three days. Remarkably, it’s outpacing similar titles on Steam by a factor of two. It’s the game that everyone seems to be buzzing about, and for valid reasons.

We should keep in mind that the “Ghost of Yōtei” from Sucker Punch is yet to appear on the horizon later this year. A sequel to the much-loved “Ghost of Tsushima,” featuring a new female protagonist in 17th century Northern Japan, it looks set to be another strong contender for PlayStation.

As “Doom: The Dark Ages” is set to release next week and with more games likely following, “Nightreign” can’t afford to miss out on any edge it can get. Unfortunately, the absence of crossplay functionality is a significant disadvantage—it might just be the factor that keeps an otherwise outstanding game from securing the top spot.

Thoughts please! Does having someone participate in crossplay affect your gaming experience, or do you not mind playing with anyone on your preferred platform? Share your opinions in the comments!

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2025-05-05 10:16