Elden Ring Nightreign Hands-On Impressions: Maidenless Assemble

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Following my fortunate acquisition of a closed network test invite, I have been able to play Elden Ring Nightreign. There is certainly much to explore. Since the trailer was released, there has been much speculation: “Is it a rogue-like game?” “Does it offer full cooperative play?” “Are the bosses still tough?” The answers to many of these questions are somewhat yes, and in an enjoyable manner. Although I was initially hesitant about Elden Ring deviating from its traditional souls heritage, I must admit this innovative approach is daring yet highly engaging. If Nightreign manages to avoid the pitfalls of live-service trends we’ve witnessed lately, it promises to deliver one of the most intriguing and fantastic gaming experiences in The Lands Between.

And On the Third Day, We All Died

In Elden Ring Nightreign, the most significant shift is its emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Unlike previous versions, Nightreign groups three players (which can seem odd) to endure three nights on a randomly generated map. Instead of designing your character, you choose from distinct classes, each with specific skills and passive abilities. During the network test, we could only try out the Wylder, Guardian, Duchess, and Recluse. These characters will later be referred to as Poster-boy, Bird Guy, Blind Girl, and Magic Mommy. At first, I wasn’t thrilled with this method, as character creation is a key aspect of the souls series we’ve enjoyed for years. However, after a few games, I discovered that the character-building element was still present, along with other familiar aspects that didn’t leave me feeling disoriented. And yes, the new characters were strange at first, but they ended up being more intriguing than expected.

In Elden Ring Nightreign, gameplay follows a three-day pattern. Each day consists of gathering resources, increasing your character’s abilities, battling enemies, and confronting the daily boss during the night. The next day starts anew, introducing new adversaries on the map. Throughout this cycle, a storm reminiscent of battle royale games is constantly advancing. If you linger too long within it, your HP decreases steadily until you perish. Essentially, you must strategize your route for defeating bosses while simultaneously collecting items and preparing for the ultimate challenge. Survive the first two days, and a final boss emerges to face off against.

To battle the final foe, you’ll need to get accustomed to some fresh combat adjustments that shouldn’t be daunting for seasoned Elden Ring players. As I noted earlier, instead of starting with a blank canvas, you now select from a pool of pre-made characters, each boasting their unique passive, active, and ultimate abilities. For instance, the Guardian can execute a dive-bomb attack to harm enemies, while the Duchess can conceal her entire party with invisibility. However, there are also options for players who prefer a more traditional Souls-like experience when it comes to character creation.

In my gaming experience, character development primarily revolves around the equipment you acquire. Instead of improving stats independently, your character’s role is essentially shaped by the items you come across. For example, during my initial playthrough as the Duchess, I crafted her into a dual-wielding DPS who inflicted poison and caused bleeding. However, during my subsequent run, my luck wasn’t on my side, forcing me to rebuild her as a two-handed attacker with a few Incantations for support. This aspect of the game was particularly engaging for me because it necessitated adaptation to the good or bad fortune of random number generation (RNG). Interestingly, this trend extended to my teammates as well. Occasionally, I observed Guardians employing towering shields for protection, while others opted for a damage-focused build instead.

For dedicated souls fans who meticulously track their characters’ builds and stats, it might not be ideal. But for those who prefer an immersive experience without getting bogged down by numbers, I found it fantastic as it offers a chance to engage directly with the familiar deadly bosses from the base game. Despite the challenging nature of Elden Ring Nightreign and its steep skill ceiling, this version seems to be the most inviting entry point into The Lands Between.

Familiar Lands, Strange New Happenings

In Elden Ring: Nightreign, a key distinction lies in its accelerated tempo. Unlike Elden Ring where patience is often rewarded, Nightreign moves at a faster pace. Upon landing on the randomly generated map, you’ll need to act promptly to gather your gear and level up. Many of the locations you’ll encounter are reminiscent of the base game, even featuring the same bosses, enemies, and rewards. For instance, churches provide an additional flask charge, while Mage Towers offer high-tier rewards, such as a choice between two weapons or a passive buff. Enemy camps usually host bosses familiar from Elden Ring, with minimal alterations to their move set. Flame Chariots remain just as frustrating, and dragons retain the same weak points and attacks that claimed multiple Tarnished lives.

The overwhelming number of adversaries sets them apart distinctly, as opposed to encountering a single Crucible Knight, you’ll often face multiple – up to three simultaneously. This might seem logical given that you have two other teammates, but it doesn’t always turn out easier. On the contrary, sometimes it proves challenging. If you believed you understood fear, prepare for three Crucible Knights executing their dive-bomb attack with gleaming wings synchronously, as in the original game. However, I found it exhilarating. It offered a dynamic and unpredictable experience that no other Elden Ring mod has previously provided me. It was like a fusion of diverse fan concepts, blended together to create a delightful concoction.

As a devoted fan, I’d express that what truly sets Elden Ring: Nightreign apart is its exceptional pacing. Most gamers might not have the endurance for repeated encounters with the Fell Omen 20 times. Yet in this game, you might find yourself facing him that many times too. But The rogue-like elements ensure that each attempt is unique.

Talking about rogue-like games, I must say that Nightreign is truly innovative! Regardless of whether you complete a cycle or perish on the initial night, you’ll earn currency and gem-like items at the game’s central point. These items offer permanent enhancements to your class, such as boosting your attack if you wield a Katana at +3 upgrades, making blocking attacks more manageable, or transforming your flasks into an area-of-effect heal for your entire team. This means that not only can you develop your character within a game run, but also outside of it! What’s fantastic about this is that even though many players might choose the Recluse as their primary class, each Recluse player won’t be identical. Of course, there may be some popular builds following launch, but the ability to customize each class to your liking is simply remarkable.

Rise Again, Tarnished

Initially, I’m quite satisfied with the initial test results, although there are some concerns, particularly about the number of players required for a game run. Frankly, it’s hard to fathom why this game can’t accommodate two players. A three-member team seems unusual, and while some players may have friends to play with, others might not be so fortunate. The success of the game run greatly depends on the luck of the draw when it comes to party members. More often than not, I encounter the typical player who disappears from the group for solo leveling. At launch, I would highly recommend a dedicated two-player mode because a three-person group feels strange and might not appeal to players in the long run.

Beyond this, my doubts have vanished, and once more, Elden Ring, specifically Nightreign, is ready to captivate us all. With its randomized elements yet familiarity from the series, it offers an engaging experience that feels accessible within the Elden Ring universe. As long as FromSoftware avoids corrupting this legendary world with contemporary live-service elements, I believe we’re in for a treat. In essence, Nightreign appears to be a highly anticipated addition and a peculiar blend that may leave many questioning, “What on earth am I playing?” Yet, it promises to deliver an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

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2025-02-17 23:06