FromSoftware has always been at the forefront of the Soulslike genre, but Elden Ring: Nightreign marks a bold departure from their established formula. As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring the Lands Between, I’m both fascinated and cautiously optimistic about the direction this standalone title is taking. Nightreign isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a reinvention, blending roguelike elements, streamlined co-op, and a host of gameplay changes that challenge what we expect from a Souls game.
Procedural Worlds and Session-Based Runs
The most striking shift is the move toward session-based gameplay. Instead of a sprawling, persistent world, Nightreign offers condensed runs through procedurally generated environments, primarily set in a reimagined Limgrave – now named Limveld. Each session lasts three in-game days, during which up to three players must cooperate to survive, gather loot, and face off against powerful bosses.
This structure means every run is different, with randomised maps and enemy placements keeping even seasoned veterans on their toes. I love the unpredictability this brings—it’s reminiscent of roguelikes like Hades, but with that signature FromSoftware tension.
Co-op Focus and Character Changes
Nightreign is unapologetically built for co-op. Up to three players can team up, with no PvP elements, and progression is balanced around group play rather than solo adventuring. Communication is streamlined—no text chat, just pings and gestures—making teamwork essential.
Another major change: gone is the deep character creator. Instead, players pick from pre-made class archetypes, each with unique skills and movesets. While this might disappoint those who love crafting their own Tarnished, it speeds up matchmaking and lets everyone jump straight into the action.
Traversal, Roguelike Mechanics, and New Systems
Traversal has been overhauled: wall-jumping and the complete removal of fall damage make exploration faster and more dynamic. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement, especially for anyone who’s ever lost a pile of runes to a misjudged leap. Roguelike mechanics infuse every run with tension—if all three players fall, it’s game over, and everyone resets to level one.
Reviving teammates involves attacking them to deplete a “Near-Death” metre, adding a layer of strategy (and a bit of dark humour) to co-op play. Invader bosses now stalk players during daytime cycles, flipping the script on the classic PvP invader dynamic and offering big rewards for those who can take them down.
Accessibility, Experimentation, and Community Response
FromSoftware’s willingness to experiment is clear, but not every change will land with every fan. The streamlined character system, procedural maps, and session-based structure make Nightreign more accessible and potentially less intimidating for new players.
Yet, some veterans may find the lack of deep customisation and persistent world a step back. Early impressions from playtests are mixed—some find the mashup of roguelike, co-op, and Soulslike elements confusing, while others praise the satisfying combat and the thrill of overcoming tough challenges with friends. As someone who values both innovation and tradition, I appreciate the risks being taken, even if it means not every experiment will succeed.
A Brave New Path for FromSoftware
Elden Ring: Nightreign represents FromSoftware at its most daring. By blending roguelike structure, co-op focus, and streamlined systems, they’re not just chasing trends—they’re reimagining what a Soulslike can be. Some changes will be divisive, but that’s the price of innovation.
Whether Nightreign becomes a new gold standard or a fascinating side note, it’s a testament to the studio’s refusal to rest on its laurels. As a longtime fan, I’m eager to see how these bold ideas resonate with the community, and I can’t wait to dive into the chaos with friends when Nightreign launches.
