Elden Ring Nightreign is a co-op RPG ‘unlike any experience’ by FromSoft

TechGamingVideo gamesFromSoftware isn’t done with Elden Ring yet, as the legendary developer revealed a surprising new twist on its action RPG at The Game Awards — Elden Ring Nightreign

Elden Ring Nightreign was one of The Game Awards’ biggest surprise(Image: FromSoftware Inc.)The Game Awards was packed with surprises (albeit not Grand Theft Auto 6), but one of the most surprising was Elden Ring: Nightreign.

What initially seemed like a further DLC for the 2022 smash hit is actually a new standalone game that features “co-op multiplayer PVE combat against a harsh and unforgiving world”, according to a press release from Bandai Namco.

Players can team up in squads of three, or explore Elden Ring Nightreign alone, but what is Nightreign, and why should you be excited about it?

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What is Elden Ring Nightreign?Bandai Namco is taking the surprising step of saying Nightreign is “unlike any experience created before by FromSoftware”.

The title is standalone, so you won’t need to have played or purchased Elden Ring to get started, and the trailer above shows some returning locations and boss designs from Elden Ring’s original release.

Combat also looks faster, suggesting this could be a good chance to jump into the franchise for new players.

A “condensed action RPG”, each session enemies, rewards and the world itself will change, with players growing more powerful and able to take on the map’s greater challenges.

“Successful runs against the night bring players ever closer to defeating the realm of the Nightlord and unraveling the story behind each Hero in this parallel world,” Bandai Namco explains.

Nightreign has a co-op focus, but can be played solo(Image: FromSoftware Inc.)Elden Ring was a huge hit both critically and commercially, with its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion nominated for numerous Game of the Year awards following its launch in June, 2024.

I love Elden Ring’s atmosphere and monster design, but the prospect of teaming up with buddies to give myself a fighting chance has me desperate to hear more.

Elden Ring Nightreign is out in 2025, and is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It’s also coming to PS4 and Xbox One.

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