If you told me a year ago that I’d be playing a co-op PvE version of the bastard lovechild of Elden Ring and Fortnite in 2025, I’d be mildly shocked. Less shocked than I am now however that the combination not only works, it’s executed beautifully. It should come as little surprise given FromSoftware’s pedigree, but after spending five hours with Nightreign during the recent network stress test, I am ready to board the hype train.
The stress test gave access to four heroes, with the simple goal of banding together with two other intrepid souls and attempting to survive three days in a familiar reimaging of Limgrave called Limveld. Knowing my time with the game would be short, I made the choice of diving in deep with Recluse, an onyx-skinned sorceress who favours staffs and long-ranged attacks. Every Soulsbourne game I have every played I have always assured myself I would at last try a magic build, before slowly but surely cultivating a cowardly sword-and-board turtle build. Every. Single. Time. Recluse gave me a chance to jump straight into a mage build, and the game’s accessibility (outrageous I know) allowed me to easily settle into my role.
It’s worth mentioning that despite some familiar environments, Nightreign at its core is not anything close to Elden Ring. There’s a fluidity to the movement and a general arcadey feel that puts it at stark contrast with the parent masterpiece that spawned it. It really is an entirely different beast, and I’m not sure if this radical vibe shift will appeal to rusted on Soulsbourne players or deter them, but I do think it will be a great launching point for those who have previously baulked at the daunting challenge of FromSoft’s previous diabolical creations. That isn’t to say it is an easy game by any means, but the co-op nature and roguelike elements combine to make the on-ramp a lot gentler.
After choosing your character, you are flown in to a random part of the large map via Spectral Hawk, and much like any battle royale title, you want to scour your location and quickly get yourself some better weapons. The Elden Ring twist comes in the fact that you also level up while doing so (at Sites of Grace littered about the map) using runes you gather from fallen foes. Landmarks are displayed on the map and can include strongholds with the promise of mini-bosses and better loot, or churches allowing you to increase the amount of sacred flasks (used for healing) you can carry. All runes are shared equally between you and your companions no matter where you are on the map, so you can choose to divide and conquer, but the better option is to work as a team. There’s a relatively straightforward pin system that allows you to indicate to your ally where you think you should go next, and if you get the impression that one of your number is familiar with the map layout it always pays to follow their lead to maximise your killing and looting.
There’s no time to stop and sniff the roses in Limveld, as at regular intervals a ring will begin to constrict the map and force you into a central area. If you are caught outside the ring you’ll slowly take damage, so best to not do that. The ring will eventually fully constrict to a small arena where night (reigns) falls completely and you’ll take on a powerful boss. Survive the boss fight and a brand new day of looting, killing and levelling up begins. Survive to the third day and you’ll take on the expedition’s final boss. It’s a simple, addictive loop that’s slightly different every time given the random loot drops and mini-boss locations, and it sucked me in wholesale.
As a roguelike, the game does provide you with Relics at the end of your run (successful or not) that can be equipped to your heroes to bolster stats and grant passive abilities. The ones I found weren’t super impactful, but I’m sure the full release will have plenty to choose from to create unique builds. There was also a currency called Murk that you are apparently able to use to barter at the Roundtable Hold (which serves as a hub between finding a group of players to go on expeditions), but I scoured high and low and couldn’t find a merchant willing to accept my murk as legal tender. Hopefully these elements come together to find that ideal roguelike balance where every run feels like you’re getting both better at the game and starting over with a bit of a headstart. Games like Hades show this can be done masterfully, and I’m sure FromSoft has been paying attention to games of its ilk.
FromSoft has always danced to the beat of their own drum, and it feels like a lot of their success has come from a strong sense of vision and direction, coupled with the fact that they truly care about what they produce and are willing to both appease and punish players in equal measure. There’s every chance Nightreign will scratch an itch you may not know you had (possibly with a battleaxe), and I will be watching eagerly to see how all the pieces in just a few short months.
Nightreign releases on PlayStation, Xbox and PC May 30, 2025.
Previewed on PlayStation 5 // Preview code provided by the publisher
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Kieran is a consummate troll and outspoken detractor of the Uncharted series. He once fought a bear in the Alaskan wilderness while on a spirit quest and has a PhD in organic synthetic chemistry XBL: Shadow0fTheDog PSN: H8_Kill_Destroy
