Elden Ring: Nightreign Network Test Impressions

After completing the network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign, we’ve had our initial glimpse into FromSoftware’s fusion of nearly half a dozen game genres. It’s an enjoyable, chaotic, and surprisingly cohesive experience that seems almost impossible, yet it succeeds wonderfully. I am eagerly anticipating the final release.

Shattered, rebuilt with gold

Describing the genre of Nightreign is much like attempting to explain an Eldrich horror from Elden Ring to someone unfamiliar with its world – a nearly insurmountable task. In simpler terms, it’s quite challenging.

  • The combat is a faster and more focused version of base Elden Ring, and the bosses all come almost directly from it and all previous Dark Souls games.
  • Then you add in rogue-lite elements undoubtedly inspired by best-in-class entries like Hades.
  • Then you add a shrinking circle and trio-focused gameplay from battle royale games.
  • And then, you add hero-shooter-style characters that you upgrade using the rogue-lite elements mentioned above.

Nightreign: What would you term this extraordinary blend of genres, gameplay styles, and mechanics? It’s the offspring of Souls games that carves its unique niche, yet refuses to be confined by conventional definitions. Its fusion, remarkably, should not function as seamlessly or be as enjoyable as it is.

In a game of Nightreign, as you start off, you choose one among eight characters available, four of which I had the chance to sample during the network test. You and two other players get transported onto a map that’s generated randomly. Together, you delve into ruins, dungeons, and battle bosses while gathering loot and character enhancements along the way. Around the ten-minute mark, there appears a ring of blue fire and rain, which progressively shrinks the play area to roughly half its original size. You’re allowed to keep exploring until the 15th minute, but once that time elapses, it becomes necessary for you to seek shelter beneath a massive, radiant tree to ensure your safety.

The sense of security is swiftly broken by a tougher boss battle that scrutinizes your character’s enhancements, your proficiency with your character, and your team’s abilities. Overcome it, and you’ve conquered the initial Day. The second day adheres to the same structure as the first: scout, gather loot, design a strategy, and later, prepare for another circle closure. Triumph over the second boss to gain the chance to confront that run’s primary adversary.

On the Nightreign map, most of the weapons and upgrades are derived from Elden Ring. However, the bosses for daytime battles trace their roots to the original Dark Souls and will encompass bosses from both Dark Souls 2 and 3 upon its complete launch, including those from Dark Souls 2 and 3.

It’s challenging to fully capture the essence of Nightreign within a brief description, but one peculiar aspect that stands out among others is engaging in battles against bosses reminiscent of the Centipede Demon from Dark Souls 1, yet with the swiftness and polished mechanics similar to Elden Ring. The nostalgic tunes only intensify this disjointed feeling.

In every moment I wasn’t engrossed in playing “Elden Ring: Nightreign”, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts about playing it. During our three-hour sessions, I couldn’t help but sacrifice some sleep, as the anticipation for the early morning tests was overwhelming. This sensation mirrored the experiences of countless others with their initial, sequential, and third “Souls” games. My curiosity was piqued by the prospect of encountering new world bosses, unearthing hidden secrets within the confined setting, and experimenting with unique builds in the condensed forty-minute matches.

Teamwork and the dream working

In contrast to Souls games, I’ve always preferred playing solo in them due to the thrill and pride that comes from overcoming challenges on my own. However, in Nightreign, things are different. Although the AI in this game can be just as unpredictable as in Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles, cooperation is a key element of this new game.

In Nightreign, venturing solo instead of working together with your teammates comes at a high price. Solitary boss battles are often too tough to manage early in a round due to their heavy armor. Defeating a boss awards rewards for the entire group, and if you’re scattered across the map, you’ll likely miss some crucial upgrades. Additionally, your teammates can revive you if you fall, but only if they’re not in a castle while you’re in a mine, far beneath the surface.

Instead of regaining a level upon respawn, it gets forfeited when you die. You begin the game with limited health, just enough for a couple or three hits. A single level significantly boosts all your stats. Since the game is time-bound, you may not be able to earn back the XP required to regain that level. This makes it advantageous to stick with your teammates, as they might hinder you less than they would otherwise.

A class of their own

The statement doesn’t elaborate on the potential harmonious interactions among the characters. In the game network test, we had an opportunity to experiment with four of them:

  • Wylder: A typical Souls character with a greatsword, a small shield, a dodge roll, a grappling hook, and an explosive punch.
  • Dutchess: A faster, more agile character with a dagger, the ability to replay the last few seconds of damage on an enemy and turn the whole party temporarily invincible.
  • Warrior: A literal bird man with a broken wing, a shield, and a halberd who could group enemies with a whirlwind or grant brief invulnerability within a certain area.
  • Recluse: A wizard who collects various elemental essences to create a wide array of magical effects.

Every character possessed a Special Ability (like Wylder’s grappling move or Dutchess’s damage-rewinding skill) and a powerful Ultimate (such as the explosive punch or invisibility). Special Abilities recharged quickly compared to Ultimates, which meant frequent use of your Special Ability was beneficial, while strategic use of your Ultimate was equally crucial.

Each character’s skills were enjoyable and satisfying to utilize. Wylder is straightforward and ideal for new players, while Recluse demands more advanced technical skills to excel. I experimented with every character except Recluse, and they all felt fantastic. Wylder was the most accessible, but Dutchess was my preference due to her speed and clear influence from Bloodborne. Her teamwork potential was also exceptional; a well-timed skill or ultimate could dramatically shift a seemingly lost battle.

A Rogue in the Mix

In the network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign, certain rogue-lite features weren’t fully developed. For instance, we couldn’t use post-match currency or customize our characters’ buff types. Additionally, the map’s procedural generation was significantly scaled back, but every playthrough still allowed us to craft distinct character builds.

In every match, overcoming each leader or significant hurdle grants you either a weapon, skill, or boost, and it’s crucial to swiftly choose your preferred setup. Similar to the foundation of Elden Ring, Frostbite and Bleed configurations can be terrifyingly potent, making even the final boss almost trivial when correctly constructed.

In Nightreign, the emphasis on PvE balance isn’t extremely strict. If you wish to inflict Bleed, Poison, Frostbite, Scarlet Rot, feel free to mix and match. Even if you desire a health bar larger than what’s offered in the original Elden Ring, that’s achievable as well. While there are some constraints on customization, within these expansive boundaries, you can craft numerous and varied builds for the game.

In Elden Ring, there’s a limit to the variety of weapons and abilities you can use, as they are drawn from the base game only. Unlike the recurring bosses, familiar favorites from the Dark Souls series haven’t reappeared yet, at least not during the network test. While there’s plenty of enjoyable Elden Ring weaponry, it would be truly exciting to have weapons like the Black Knight Halberd, Ornstein’s Spear, or Gael’s Greatsword available in the game.

Concerns: I have a few

I had a fantastic experience during the trial run of “Elden Ring: Nightreign,” yet there are some aspects that leave me pondering. One thing I can’t help but wonder about is the target audience for this game. Who would find it appealing?

The gameplay of Nightreign combines numerous genres with the foundation of Elden Ring, which leaves me concerned that its broader appeal might get obscured amidst the mix. For most players, I would guess, the allure lies in the carefully crafted experience of exploring a Souls-like world, unveiling its secrets, and gradually overcoming its challenges. However, Nightreign largely discards this approach by opting for brief, focused battles instead, where exploration serves as a means to reach these encounters rather than being the primary source of enjoyment itself.

Enthusiasts of the soul-like genre might find the game less appealing due to its significantly changed tempo. On the other hand, novices may struggle with a different issue. Mastering the bosses is crucial for enjoying a soul-like game, and the ability to try again quickly without much downtime allows you to explore various strategies and builds until you discover one that works. However, in contrast to this, Nightreign drops you into a vast world where these same bosses can defeat you with just a few hits, but the time between encounters could range from minutes to hours. This refined learning curve is disrupted.

For beginners unfamiliar with battling Souls series bosses, it could be discouraging to keep losing to them. Similarly, the rogue-lite aspects of the game may also deter some players. You will start every run weak and if you don’t promptly learn where to locate the most effective upgrades, it becomes significantly harder to create a build that is worthwhile.

It may turn off some players that Nightreign requires everyone to contribute, especially if they don’t have friends who are familiar with the game or have relied on others for help in difficult areas of Elden Ring. From my experience during the network test, it is possible to carry less knowledgeable teammates, but progress may not be as rapid as in a more typical RPG setting.

For seasoned players who are both “Souls” enthusiasts and fans of fast-paced action, randomness, and a touch of gaming pandemonium, Nightreign is sheer delight. However, I’m concerned that its multiplicity of features might inadvertently repel the very audience it needs to thrive.

It seems I might be dwelling excessively on it, but that’s just how captivating the Dark Souls series has been for me. Although it’s a niche genre, it has managed to sell millions of copies. What makes it extraordinary is its fusion of two seemingly incompatible genres: the Souls gameplay and an expansive, open world. I have absolute faith in no other studio but FromSoftware to push boundaries and create something exceptional. If the network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign is any sign, it will undoubtedly be another outstanding addition to FromSoftware’s collection of groundbreaking masterpieces.

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2025-02-18 16:50